MA H789

Establishes mandatory state licensure for home care agencies through the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with provisional licenses available for up to 120 days and requirements including background checks, workers' compensation insurance, and staff training on topics such as dementia care, infection control, and wage theft

Creates a 16-member Home Care Worker and Consumer Abuse Stakeholder Advisory Committee to develop standards and procedures for addressing physical, verbal, and mental abuse of home care workers, personal care attendants, and consumers, with an initial report due within 6 months

Establishes a Home Care Oversight Advisory Council to advise on licensure regulations, review existing oversight requirements, and conduct statewide home care market analysis, meeting quarterly until dissolved by majority vote

Requires home care agencies to maintain emergency preparedness plans, meet quality metrics, provide written service contracts with detailed costs, and submit annual reports on performance and finances

Extends Massachusetts anti-discrimination employment law (Chapter 151B) to cover employers of personal care attendants, including individual consumers who employ PCAs