MassNAELA Applauds State Commission’s Recommendations for Stricter Health and Safety Standards at Assisted Living Facilities

Instrumental in Getting the Assisted Living Residences Commission Enacted, MassNAELA Urges the Legislature to Dedicate Resources to Assisted Living Oversight

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA) applauds the final report issued on January 12, 2026, by the Massachusetts Assisted Living Residences (ALR) Commission, which outlines recommendations to improve health and safety standards at the state’s assisted living facilities. In addition, MassNAELA expresses gratitude to Senator Montigny and his staff for their hard work, which led to the creation of the Commission. The report is now headed to the State Legislature, as several of the recommended reforms require legislative action.

Created in 2024 to review current ALRs and ensure the evolving needs of the aging population are met, the ALR Commission’s work intensified after the July 2025 fire at the Gabriel House in Fall River, in which 10 residents died. Three MassNAELA members served on the Commission alongside state officials, lawmakers, ALR residents and family members, and elder care providers and advocates. They are Lindsay Mitnik, Liane Zeitz, and Kathleen Lynch Moncata, all elder law attorneys who actively bring the voices of residents and lower-income consumers to the table.

“We critically need increased monitoring, oversight, and public reporting of ALRs, so it’s important that the Legislature approve the necessary funding to increase staffing and resources and make other legislative actions that will improve oversight and consumer protections, as advised by the Commission,” said Zeitz.

“MassNAELA is dedicated to raising awareness of and addressing issues related to ALRs, particularly those raised by the Gabriel House fire,” said Clarence Richardson, executive director of MassNAELA. “We fully support the Governor, the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, and the Legislature in acting quickly to implement the report’s regulatory and administrative recommendations to ensure the future health and safety of all assisted living and long-term care residents.”

About MassNAELA

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the premier organization of elder and special needs law attorneys in the country, is dedicated to developing awareness of issues concerning the elderly and those with special needs. Over 400 attorneys are members of the Massachusetts Chapter. Members work directly with the elderly and those with special needs in areas as diverse as planning for catastrophic care costs, disability planning, age discrimination in employment and housing, benefits planning, estate planning, veterans’ benefits, and more.

For more information about MassNAELA, visit www.massnaela.com.