Massachusetts Announces Safety Reforms for Assisted Living Facilities

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey detailed a new set of safety reforms for assisted living facilities in Massachusetts on Monday, Jan. 12. The reforms come six months after a deadly fire occurred at Gabriel House in Fall River. Ten residents died, and more than two dozen were hurt in the fire that ripped through the housing complex on July 13, 2025.

According to a CBS Boston report, the recent recommendations follow the Assisted Living Resident Commission's several months of studying public feedback. The report was due on Aug. 1, but the deadline was extended to Jan. 12 to include recommendations based on the Gabriel House fire.

The recommendations call for annual facility inspections signed off by the local fire department, board of health, and building inspector. It also emphasizes annual updates, reviews of emergency plans, quarterly emergency exercises with all staff, and annual evacuation drills.

Additionally, the recommendations call for a task force to study the affordability of assisted living facilities, particularly given concerns that they are inaccessible to many low-income residents. The report also calls for developing a statewide online database to offer families improved access to compliance records, ownership information, and corrective action plans.

Brian Doherty, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association, said his nonprofit welcomes the release of the report. He is particularly pleased about the recommendations to develop a standardized resident assessment, integrate Certified Medication Aides into assisted living, and create an affordability task force.

“Assisted living blends social activity with personal care. We will continue to champion a model of diverse community options over restrictive, institutionalized settings to ensure residents maintain their independence and dignity,” Doherty said in a statement shared with Boston.com.

The Assisted Living Resident Commission was in the process of studying the state's residential care facilities when the Gabriel House fire occurred. According to Boston.com, it was the state's deadliest blaze in more than 40 years and called into question the lack of regulations around assisted living facilities in Massachusetts.

Following the fire, numerous reports surfaced about the condition of the residence. One resident filed a lawsuit alleging the facility was not adequately managed or staffed, noting “emergency response procedures were not put in place.” The child of another resident said an elevator had been out of service for as long as nine months at one point.