Massachusetts Healey-Driscoll Administration finalizes assisted living safety reforms ahead of anniversary of Gabriel House fire 

BOSTON – One year after the tragic fire at Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence in Fall River claimed the lives of ten residents and injured dozens more, Governor Maura Healey has announced the finalization of new safety regulations that will strengthen protections for older adults living in assisted living residences across Massachusetts.  

Finalized by the Executive Office of Aging & Independence, the amendments are among the most significant changes to the assisted living regulations in oversight in years. They implement key recommendations from the Assisted Living Residences Commission, incorporate extensive public feedback, and establish stronger standards for fire safety, emergency preparedness, resident protections and accountability across the industry. 

“The Gabriel House fire was a heartbreaking tragedy that forever changed the lives of so many families and the Fall River community,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Over the past year, we’ve worked closely with residents, families, firefighters, first responders, advocates and providers to make sure we learn from that tragedy and take meaningful action. These reforms will strengthen safety, improve emergency preparedness and give families greater confidence that their loved ones are living in safe, well-prepared communities.” 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration states that in addition to these reforms, AGE convened the Assisted Living Residences Commission, engaged residents, families, providers, advocates, firefighters, emergency management officials and other stakeholders, and incorporated months of public testimony and feedback into the final regulations. 

“I am incredibly grateful to all of the community members, public safety officials, elected officials and experts who lent their time and knowledge to the Assisted Living Residences Commission. I also deeply appreciate the Aging & Independence staff who commit to collaborating and researching about the best ways to support older adults in our state,” said Health & Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “These final regulations exhibit our statewide commitment to the health and safety of residents.”  

“The Gabriel House fire was a tragedy that must never be forgotten. These reforms, along with others that have been implemented and proposed, represent a shared commitment to protect our most vulnerable residents in the places they should be safest,” said Public Safety & Security Secretary Gina K. Kwon. “I want to recognize the hard work of Secretary Lipson, the Executive Office of Aging & Independence, and our local and state partners in the fire service for their hard work to ensure that ALRs are safe and supportive environments for our loved ones.” 

“The public comment period was critical in helping us understand both the opportunities and challenges facing assisted living residences across Massachusetts,” said Aging & Independence Secretary and ALR Commission Chair Robin Lipson. “The final regulations reflect a thoughtful balance between strengthening safety and accountability while remaining responsive to operational realities and the needs of residents and families.” 

The final regulations include significant new requirements that strengthen safety and oversight at assisted living residences across Massachusetts, including:  

• Annual fire inspections conducted by local fire departments.  
• Annual fire safety instruction for staff.  
• Quarterly fire drills and annual simulated evacuation exercises on every shift.  
• Enhanced emergency preparedness plans developed in coordination with local fire departments and state emergency management officials.  
• Automated external defibrillators (AEDs), naloxone and epinephrine at every residence, with CPR- and AED-certified staff available at all times.  
• Stronger resident protections through overnight safety checks in Special Care Residences, emergency response performance standards, improved incident tracking and documentation, and clearly posted evacuation procedures throughout each residence. 

The regulations also establish a framework for implementing Basic Health Services in assisted living residences, as authorized by Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024. Residences that choose to offer Basic Health Services will be required to meet new certification standards and maintain licensed nursing coverage on-site for at least 16 hours each day. 

In addition to the regulatory changes announced today, AGE is developing a standardized disclosure form to help families better compare assisted living residencies and understand the services available at each location. AGE is also posting compliance reports online so families can make more informed decisions when choosing an assisted living residence. These reforms complement the assisted living consumer protection regulations recently issued by Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. 

The final regulations will be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and will take effect upon publication in the Massachusetts Register on July 31, 2026. 

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell: “My office recently strengthened consumer protections for assisted living residents and their families through clearer disclosures and greater transparency, and today’s reforms complement that work by strengthening safety and accountability.Together, these changes will help families make informed decisions and better protect the health, safety, and dignity of assisted living residents.” 

Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan: “I want to thank Governor Healey and her administration for these important amendments to the regulations governing Assisted Living facilities within the Commonwealth. These new fire safety, emergency preparedness and resident safety regulations are paramount to ensuring the safety of the residents in these facilities. We never want to see another tragic event like the Gabriel House fire.” 

Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means: “These reform measures, prompted by the tragedy at the Gabriel House in Fall River, will incorporate critical safety and oversight recommendations for Assisted Living Residence’s (ALR) all across the Commonwealth.I’ve worked closely with the Healey-Driscoll administration, the Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE), and other stakeholders to provide the $500,00 in state budget funding to help support implementing ALR oversight and safety standards. These newly established and comprehensive safety standards will go a long way towards making ALR’s the safe environment that our seniors deserve.