Notices of Public Hearing (Published 3/14/2025)

Elementary and Secondary, Department of

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

In accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A, the Board of Early Education and Care (EEC) is proposing amendments to its regulations found at 606 CMR 10.00, pursuant to its authority under M.G.L. c. 15D, § 3. The proposed amendments are to the Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) regulations.

The primary goals of these revised regulations are to: (1) expand initial eligibility to families with incomes at and up to 85% of State Median Income (SMI); (2) codify priority access for staff working in early education and care programs; and (3) ensure CCFA does not count as income for purposes of disqualifying families for other state governmental assistance. 

EEC is proposing these regulatory amendments as mandated by the Legislature in accordance with the adoption of M.G.L. c. 15D, § 13A.

At its February 12, 2025, EEC Board meeting, Board Members voted to adopt these regulations in draft form and to provide for an extended public comment period.  

Accordingly, EEC will accept comments on the proposed regulations via e-mail to robert.p.orthman@mass.gov, or in writing to Department of Early Education and Care, 50 Milk Street, 14th Floor, Boston, MA 02109 ATTN: CHILD CARE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS: LEGAL until 5:00 p.m. on April 15, 2025. To obtain a copy of the proposed regulations, please visit EEC’s website at www.mass.gov/eec.  

CMR No.: 606 CMR 10.00
Small Business Impact Statement

(As required by M.G.L. c. 30A §§ 2, 3 & 5) 

• Will small businesses have to create, file, or issue additional reports?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to implement additional recordkeeping procedures?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to provide additional administrative oversight?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to hire additional employees in order to comply with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does compliance with the regulation require small businesses to hire other professionals (e.g. a lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc.)?

  No.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to purchase a product or make any other capital investments in order to comply with the regulation?

  No.

• Are performance standards more appropriate than design/operational standards to accomplish the regulatory objective?

  
  (Performance standards express requirements in terms of outcomes, giving the regulated party flexibility to achieve regulatory objectives and design/operational standards specify exactly what actions regulated parties must take.)

  No.
  

• Does the regulation require small businesses to cooperate with audits, inspections, or other regulatory enforcement activities?

  No.

• Will the regulation have the effect of creating additional taxes and/or fees for small business

  No.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to deter the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.  

• Is the regulation likely to encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  Yes.

• Does the regulation provide for less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Does the regulation establish less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Does the regulation establish less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Did the agency consolidate or simplify compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Can performance standards for small businesses replace design or operational standards?

  No.

• Are there alternative regulatory methods that would minimize the adverse impact on small businesses?

  No. There are no alternative regulatory methods that would minimize the adverse impact on small businesses – though there are no known adverse impacts on small businesses.

Energy and Environmental Affairs, Executive Office of
301 CMR 52.00

Notice of Public Hearing  

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has reopened the public comment period on proposed new regulations authorized by Chapter 274 of the Acts of 2022, An Act to Preserve Open Space in the Commonwealth, and will hold a third public hearing on the proposed regulations. The proposed regulations, 301 CMR 52.00: Disposition or Change in Use of Article 97 Interests, are required by the Act and provide procedures and requirements for proposals to change the use or dispose of land or interests in land subject to Article 97 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth. A copy of the proposed regulations, a Notice to Reviewers, and other materials are available on the EEA website at https://www.mass.gov/infodetails/article-97-an-act-preserving-open-space-in-the-commonwealth-mgl-c-3-ss-5a

Testimony may be presented orally or in writing. EEA will consider written comments received by 5:00 PM on March 26, 2025. EEA encourages electronic submission of written comments to Michael.gendron2@mass.gov. Please reference 301 CMR 52 in the subject line.
Written comments can be mailed to:
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Attn: Michael Gendron, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114. 

A public hearing on these regulations will take place 4:00 PM on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Registration is required to obtain access to the virtual hearing room. There is no requirement to register in advance of the hearing to attend; registration and access to the hearing is available both prior to and during the meeting until it has ended. Register for the Zoom Webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_si76wRmWS5GSlzurW1Glug#/registration

Simultaneous oral and ASL interpretation will be provided through the virtual hearing room. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a request for an accommodation please email eeadiversity@mass.gov or call 617-872-3270, and an ADA Coordinator will receive your request. Last minute requests will be accepted but we may be unable to fulfill the request.

This Public Meeting Notice is available in alternative languages (Español -- Tiếng Việt -- Chinese -- Kreyòl Ayisyen -- Português) at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-energy-and-environmental-affairs under “Upcoming Events”.

301 CMR 52:00 Change in Use or Disposition of Article 97 Interests
Small Business Impact Statement

(As required by M.G.L. c. 30A §§ 2, 3 & 5) 

• Estimate of the Number of Small Businesses Impacted by the Regulation:

  0
  

• Will small businesses have to create, file, or issue additional reports?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to implement additional recordkeeping procedures?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to provide additional administrative oversight?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to hire additional employees in order to comply with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does compliance with the regulation require small businesses to hire other professionals (e.g. a lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc.)?

  No.  

• Does the regulation require small businesses to purchase a product or make any other capital investments in order to comply with the regulation?

  No.  

• Are performance standards more appropriate than design/operational standards to accomplish the regulatory objective?

  
  (Performance standards express requirements in terms of outcomes, giving the regulated party flexibility to achieve regulatory objectives and design/operational standards specify exactly what actions regulated parties must take.)

  No.
  

• Will the regulation have the effect of creating additional taxes and/or fees for small businesses?

  No.  

• Does the regulation require small businesses to cooperate with audits, inspections, or other regulatory enforcement activities?

  No.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to deter the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Can the regulation provide for less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Can the regulation establish less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.  

• Can the compliance or reporting requirements be consolidated or simplified for small businesses?

  No.  

• Can performance standards for small businesses replace design or operational standards?

  No.

• Are there alternative regulatory methods that would minimize the adverse impact on small businesses?

  No.

• Were any small businesses or small business organizations contacted during the preparation of this document? If so, please describe

  No.

• Are there regulations of the promulgating agency, or of another agency or department of the commonwealth, which may duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation?

  No.

Board of Registration of Genetic Counselors
270 CMR 3.00 & 4.00 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §2 that the Board of Registration of Genetic Counselors (“BORGC”) within the Department of Public Health will hold a public hearing on emergency amendments to the following regulations: 270 CMR 3.00 Licensure Requirements, Procedures, and Professional and Ethical Conduct; and 270 CMR 4.00 Investigations, Complaints, and Board Actions.

270 CMR 3.00 sets forth the Board’s requirements for licensure and practice of genetic counselors by establishing the eligibility requirements and administrative procedures for the issuance of provisional and full licenses to qualified applicants, the renewal of such licenses, and by establishing standards of professional practice and conduct for all genetic counselors licensed by the Board.

270 CMR 4.00 establishes the grounds for discipline and the Board actions that may be taken to resolve complaints. 

These proposed emergency amendments implement and codify into regulation the provisions of M.G.L. c. 112, § 77, as amended by St. 2022, c. 127, An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender Affirming Care. The proposed emergency amendments protect genetic counselors from disqualification from licensure, and from BORGC discipline, on the basis of providing, or assisting in providing, reproductive health care services and gender affirming health care services if the services provided would be lawful and consistent with good professional practice if they occurred entirely within Massachusetts. The protection extends to discipline based on a judgment, discipline or other sanction arising from such services.

The public hearing will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 14, 2025. The hearing will be conducted on a moderated conference call. The information for the moderated conference call is: 

Dial-in Telephone Number: 1-888-810-4935
Participant Passcode: 7432981

 A copy of the proposed amendments to 270 CMR 3.00 and 270 CMR 4.00 may be viewed on the Department’s website at http://mass.gov/dph/proposed-regulations or requested from the Office of the General Counsel by calling 617-624-5220.

Speakers who testify at the public hearing are requested to provide a copy of their oral testimony. The Department encourages all interested parties to submit testimony electronically to the following address: Reg.Testimony@mass.gov, or by mail to William Anderson, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108. All submissions must include the sender’s full name and address. When electronically submitting comments, type “BORGC Regulations” in the subject line and attach a Word document with your comments or type your comments in the body of your email. All submissions must include the sender’s full name and address.

The Department will post all testimony that complies with these instructions on its website.
All comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025. All comments received by the Department may be released in response to a request for public records.

CMR No: 270 CMR 3.00: Investigations, complaints and board actions
Small Business Impact Statement

(As required by M.G.L. c. 30A §§ 2, 3 & 5) 

• Estimate of the Number of Small Businesses Impacted by the Regulation:

  0

• Will small businesses have to create, file, or issue additional reports?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to implement additional recordkeeping procedures?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to provide additional administrative oversight?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to hire additional employees in order to comply with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does compliance with the regulation require small businesses to hire other professionals (e.g. a lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc.)?

  No.  

• Does the regulation require small businesses to purchase a product or make any other capital investments in order to comply with the regulation?

  No.

• Are performance standards more appropriate than design/operational standards to accomplish the regulatory objective?

  
  (Performance standards express requirements in terms of outcomes, giving the regulated party flexibility to achieve regulatory objectives and design/operational standards specify exactly what actions regulated parties must take.)

  No. The proposed changes must be made through regulation to implement statutory protections applicable to genetic counselor licensure established by St. 2022, c. 127, An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender Affirming Care.
  

• Do any other regulations duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation?

  There are no other regulations that duplicate or conflict with the proposed amendments to this regulation, although complimentary changes may also be made to regulations governing disciplinary actions applicable to other types of health care providers granted statutory protections pursuant to St. 2022, c. 127, An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender Affirming Care.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to cooperate with audits, inspections, or other regulatory enforcement activities?

  No. 

• Does the regulation require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to deter the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Does the regulation provide for less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Does the regulation establish less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Did the agency consolidate or simplify compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Can performance standards for small businesses replace design or operational standards without hindering delivery of the regulatory objective?

  No. The proposed changes must be made through regulation to implement statutory changes to genetic counselor’s scope of practice.

• Are there alternative regulatory methods that would minimize the adverse impact on small businesses?

  No.

CMR No: 270 CMR 4.00:
Investigations, complaints and board actions Small Business Impact Statement
Small Business Impact Statement

(As required by M.G.L. c. 30A §§ 2, 3 & 5) 

• Estimate of the Number of Small Businesses Impacted by the Regulation:

  0

• Will small businesses have to create, file, or issue additional reports?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to implement additional recordkeeping procedures?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to provide additional administrative oversight?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to hire additional employees in order to comply with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does compliance with the regulation require small businesses to hire other professionals (e.g. a lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc.)?

  No.  

• Does the regulation require small businesses to purchase a product or make any other capital investments in order to comply with the regulation?

  No.

• Are performance standards more appropriate than design/operational standards to accomplish the regulatory objective?

  
  (Performance standards express requirements in terms of outcomes, giving the regulated party flexibility to achieve regulatory objectives and design/operational standards specify exactly what actions regulated parties must take.)

  No. The proposed changes must be made through regulation to implement statutory protections applicable to genetic counselor licensure established by St. 2022, c. 127, An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender Affirming Care.
  

• Do any other regulations duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation?

  There are no other regulations that duplicate or conflict with the proposed amendments to this regulation, although complimentary changes may also be made to regulations governing disciplinary actions applicable to other types of health care providers granted statutory protections pursuant to St. 2022, c. 127, An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender Affirming Care.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to cooperate with audits, inspections, or other regulatory enforcement activities?

  No. 

• Does the regulation require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to deter the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Does the regulation provide for less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Does the regulation establish less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Did the agency consolidate or simplify compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Can performance standards for small businesses replace design or operational standards without hindering delivery of the regulatory objective?

  No. The proposed changes must be made through regulation to implement statutory changes to genetic counselor’s scope of practice.

• Are there alternative regulatory methods that would minimize the adverse impact on small businesses?

  No.

Health and Human Services, Executive Office of - 101 CMR 424.00: Rates for Certain Developmental and Support Services

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Under the authority of M.G.L. c. 118E and in accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) will hold a remote public hearing on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. relative to the adoption of amendments to the following regulation.

101 CMR 424.00: Rates for Certain Developmental and Support Services

The proposed regulation contains rates effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2025. There is no fiscal impact on cities and towns.

101 CMR 424.00 governs the payment rates for certain developmental and support services provided to publicly aided individuals by governmental units that are purchased by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), and MassAbility (formerly MRC). Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 118E, Section 13D (f/k/a Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2008), EOHHS is required to establish, by regulation, and biennially review the rates to be paid by governmental units for social service programs. In accordance with this statutory requirement, amendments to the clinical team services rates include an increase by a cost adjustment factor (CAF) of 2.02%. The CAF was determined by using baseline and prospective Massachusetts Economic Indicator data from IHS Economics – Spring 2024 Forecast, optimistic scenario data. The CAF reflects the period between the rates’ base period (calendar year 2024 Q4) and the prospective period calendar years 2025 and 2026. The proposed rates for this service have incorporated staff salaries benchmarked to the most recent Massachusetts Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) median wages for 2023 at the 53rd percentile. The tax and fringe rate has been benchmarked to 24.97%. This benchmark is derived from the MA Comptroller’s FY25 proposed rate less terminal leave and retirement. Additionally, DDS started a new service during FY24 called Intensive Community Wrap Autism Services (ICWAS), which references the clinical team rates.

The total estimated annualized cost to state government from the increase in rates established by this proposed amendment is $2 million, which represents an increase of 16.90% over FY24 spending of approximately $11.8 million. This cost will not be realized until January 1, 2025, at which point the FY25 estimated cost to state government will be $1 million. The increase in spending in FY25 for the clinical rates of approximately $640,000 will be covered through the Chapter 257 Reserve Account. The anticipated new spending of approximately $360,000 and any additional funding for the ICWAS rates will be covered through a combination of the Reserve Account and DDS’s operating budget.

To register to testify at the hearing and to get instructions on how to join the hearing online, go to www.mass.gov/info-details/executive-office-of-health-and-human-servicespublic- hearings. To join the hearing by phone, call (646) 558-8656 and enter meeting ID 935 397 8200# when prompted. 

You may also submit written testimony instead of, or in addition to, live testimony. To submit written testimony, please email your testimony to ehs-regulations@mass.gov as an attached Word or PDF document or as text within the body of the email with the name of the regulation in the subject line. All written testimony must include the sender’s full name, mailing address, and organization or affiliation, if any. Individuals who are unable to submit testimony by email should mail written testimony to EOHHS, c/o D. Briggs, 100 Hancock Street, 6th Floor, Quincy, MA 02171. Written testimony will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025. EOHHS specifically invites comments as to how the amendments may affect beneficiary access to care. 

To review the current draft of the proposed actions, go to www.mass.gov/infodetails/ executive-office-of-health-and-human-services-public-hearings or request a copy in writing from MassHealth Publications, 100 Hancock Street, 6th Floor, Quincy, MA 02171.

To view or download related supporting materials, go to www.mass.gov/infodetails/ proposed-regulations-supporting-materials.

Special accommodation requests may be directed to the Disability Accommodations Ombudsman by email at ADAAccommodations@mass.gov or by phone at (617) 847-3468 (TTY: (617) 847-3788 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled). Please allow two weeks to schedule sign language interpreters.

EOHHS may adopt a revised version of the proposed regulation taking into account relevant comments and any other practical alternatives that come to its attention.

In case of inclement weather or other emergency, hearing cancellation announcements will be posted on the MassHealth website at www.mass.gov/service-details/executiveoffice- of-health-and-human-services-public-hearings.

February 14, 2025

CMR No: 101 CMR 424.00
Small Business Impact Statement

(As required by M.G.L. c. 30A §§ 2, 3 & 5) 

• Estimate of the Number of Small Businesses Impacted by the Regulation:

  11

• Will small businesses have to create, file, or issue additional reports?

  No. Small businesses will not have to create, file, or issue additional reports as a result of the proposed regulation.

• Will small businesses have to implement additional recordkeeping procedures?

  No. Small businesses will not have additional responsibilities to keep records as a result of the proposed regulation.

• Will small businesses have to provide additional administrative oversight?

  No. Small businesses are not required by this regulation to provide additional administration oversight as a result of the proposed regulation.

• Will small businesses have to hire additional employees in order to comply with the proposed regulation?

  No. This regulation does not require small businesses to hire additional employees to remain in compliance.

• Does compliance with the regulation require small businesses to hire other professionals (e.g. a lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc.)?

  No. Small businesses are not required by this regulation to hire other professionals.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to purchase a product or make any other capital investments in order to comply with the regulation?

  No. This regulation does not require small businesses to purchase any particular product or make any capital investments.

• Are performance standards more appropriate than design/operational standards to accomplish the regulatory objective?

  
  (Performance standards express requirements in terms of outcomes, giving the regulated party flexibility to achieve regulatory objectives and design/operational standards specify exactly what actions regulated parties must take.)

  No. The regulation is required by statute under M.G.L. Chapter 118E, Section 13D, and establishes the rates to be paid by governmental units to providers of certain social service programs.
  

• Do any other regulations duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation?

  No. There are no other regulations that duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to cooperate with audits, inspections, or other regulatory enforcement activities?

  Yes. The regulation requires providers to periodically file cost data to enable EOHHS to develop rates for certain social service programs. This cost reporting requirement is applied uniformly to all providers to enable EOHHS to develop accurate rates that reflect cost data from all providers.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements?

  No. This regulation does not require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with the regulatory requirements.

• Is the regulation likely to deter the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No. The regulation is not likely to deter or encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts as this regulation establishes rates by which providers of certain social service programs are to be paid when services are purchased by governmental units.

• Is the regulation likely to encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No. The regulation is not likely to deter or encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts as this regulation establishes rates by which providers of certain social service programs are to be paid when services are purchased by governmental units.

• Does the regulation provide for less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No. The regulation contains requirements to report cost data to EOHHS to enable EOHHS to develop rates for certain social services. This cost reporting requirement is applied uniformly to all providers to enable EOHHS to develop accurate rates that reflect cost data from all providers.

• Does the regulation establish less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No. The regulation contains requirements to report cost data to EOHHS to enable EOHHS to develop rates for certain social services. The time frame for cost reporting is applied uniformly to all providers to enable EOHHS to timely develop accurate rates that reflect cost data from all providers.

• Did the agency consolidate or simplify compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No. The agency did not consolidate or simplify compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses. The requirement to report cost data to EOHHS is applied uniformly to enable EOHHS to timely develop accurate rates that reflect cost data from all providers.

• Can performance standards for small businesses replace design or operational standards without hindering delivery of the regulatory objective?

  No. The establishment of rates for certain social service providers by regulation is a statutory requirement under M.G.L. Chapter 118E, Section 13D.

• Are there alternative regulatory methods that would minimize the adverse impact on small businesses?

  No. The regulation does not have an adverse impact on small businesses. The regulation establishes rates by which certain social service providers are to be paid when services are purchased by governmental units. The establishment of rates for these social services by regulation is a statutory requirement under M.G.L. Chapter 118E, Section 13D

Health and Human Services, Executive Office of - 101 CMR 514.00: Hospital Assessment

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Under the authority of M.G.L. c. 118E and in accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) will hold a remote public hearing on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 1 p.m. relative to the emergency adoption of amendments to the following regulation.

101 CMR 514.00: Hospital Assessment

The regulation went into effect as an emergency on February 7, 2025. There is no fiscal impact on cities and towns.

The amendments to 101 CMR 514.00: Hospital Assessment are proposed to implement the changes to the hospital assessment enacted through the FY25 budget (Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024).
These changes:

• increase the total assessment amount by $604,050,000; 
•  amend the hospital assessment group structure, adding 4 new hospital assessment groups with associated new rates for each group; 
•  update rates for existing hospital assessment groups; 
•  set parameters for application of the assessment in situations of partial hospital mergers or acquisitions; and 
•  establish clear enforcement mechanisms for hospitals delinquent on paying their assessment.

To register to testify at the hearing and to get instructions on how to join the hearing online, go to www.mass.gov/info-details/executive-office-of-health-and-human-servicespublic- hearings. To join the hearing by phone, call (646) 558-8656 and enter meeting ID 935 397 8200# when prompted. 

You may also submit written testimony instead of, or in addition to, live testimony. To submit written testimony, please email your testimony to ehs-regulations@mass.gov as an attached Word or PDF document or as text within the body of the email with the name of the regulation in the subject line. All written testimony must include the sender’s full name, mailing address, and organization or affiliation, if any. Individuals who are unable to submit testimony by email should mail written testimony to EOHHS, c/o D. Briggs, 100 Hancock Street, 6th Floor, Quincy, MA 02171. Written testimony will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. on March 7, 2025. EOHHS specifically invites comments as to how the amendments may affect beneficiary access to care. 

To review the emergency reguulation, go to www.mass.gov/infodetails/ executive-office-of-health-and-human-services-public-hearings or request a copy in writing from MassHealth Publications, 100 Hancock Street, 6th Floor, Quincy, MA 02171.

Special accommodation requests may be directed to the Disability Accommodations Ombudsman by email at ADAAccommodations@mass.gov or by phone at (617) 847-3468 (TTY: (617) 847-3788 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled). Please allow two weeks to schedule sign language interpreters.

EOHHS may adopt a revised version of the proposed regulation taking into account relevant comments and any other practical alternatives that come to its attention.

In case of inclement weather or other emergency, hearing cancellation announcements will be posted on the MassHealth website at www.mass.gov/service-details/executiveoffice- of-health-and-human-services-public-hearings.

February 14, 2025

CMR No: 101 CMR 514.00: Hospital Assessment
Small Business Impact Statement

(As required by M.G.L. c. 30A §§ 2, 3 & 5) 

• Estimate of the Number of Small Businesses Impacted by the Regulation:

  The regulation applies to all non-state owned hospitals in the state, including acute and non-acute hospitals. In total, there are currently 85 hospitals subject to the assessment.

• Will small businesses have to create, file, or issue additional reports?

  No. There are no additional reports for small business or other regulated parties required through this proposed amendment.

• Will small businesses have to implement additional recordkeeping procedures?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to provide additional administrative oversight?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to hire additional employees in order to comply with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does compliance with the regulation require small businesses to hire other professionals (e.g. a lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc.)?

  No.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to purchase a product or make any other capital investments in order to comply with the regulation?

  No.

• Are performance standards more appropriate than design/operational standards to accomplish the regulatory objective?

  
  (Performance standards express requirements in terms of outcomes, giving the regulated party flexibility to achieve regulatory objectives and design/operational standards specify exactly what actions regulated parties must take.)

  No. The regulation is required by statute under M.G.L. Chapter 118E, Section 13D, and establishes the rates to be paid by governmental units to providers of certain social service programs.
  

• Do any other regulations duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation?

  No. There are no other regulations that duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to cooperate with audits, inspections, or other regulatory enforcement activities?

  No.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to deter the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No. 

• Does the regulation provide for less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.  

• Does the regulation establish less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.  

• Did the agency consolidate or simplify compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No. The proposed regulation does not have an adverse impact on small businesses. Regulatory amendments are required to implement the change to the hospital assessment structure required under state law..

• Can performance standards for small businesses replace design or operational standards without hindering delivery of the regulatory objective?

  No. The establishment of rates for certain social service providers by regulation is a statutory requirement under M.G.L. Chapter 118E, Section 13D.

• Are there alternative regulatory methods that would minimize the adverse impact on small businesses?

  No. The proposed regulation does not have an adverse impact on small businesses. Regulatory amendments are required to implement the change to the hospital assessment structure required under state law.

Marine Fisheries, Division of - 322 CMR 4.00, 6.00, 7.00 & 12.00

Notice of Public Hearing and Comment Period:

False Albacore, Bonito, Menhaden, Groundfish, Summer Flounder, Use of Conch Pots, American Eel, Coastal Sharks, Dogfish Fins, Restrictions on Casting and Shore Fishing, Black Sea Bass, Protected Species Entanglement Reporting, and Non-Native Worms

Under the provisions of G.L. c. 30A, and pursuant to the authority found at G.L. c. 130 §§ 17(10), 17A, 21, 80, 104, and 106, the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is taking public comment on a series of proposed regulatory amendments to 322 CMR 4.00, 6.00, 7.00, and 12.00. The draft regulations outlined below affect the management of fisheries for striped bass, false albacore, Atlantic bonito, menhaden, groundfish, summer flounder, American eel, coastal sharks, black sea bass, as well as the use of conch pots, protected species entanglement reporting, shore-based shark fishing, restrictions on casting and chumming, possession and sale of dogfish fins, and the use of non-native worms as bait. Full text of the regulations may be found on DMF’s website along with additional background information.

Public Hearing and Comment Schedule

DMF will accept written public comment through 5PM on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Please submit written comments to Director Daniel McKiernan by e-mail (marine.fish@mass.gov). Additionally, DMF will host two in-person public hearings.

Monday, March 10, 2025 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
DMF’s Annisquam River Field Station
30 Emerson Avenue Gloucester, MA

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 6:00 PM – 9:00PM
Admiral’s Hall at MA Maritime
1 Academy Drive Buzzards Bay, MA

Proposed Regulatory Amendments

False Albacore and Atlantic Bonito Limits (322 CMR 6.42). To address emerging growth in the fisheries for these species absent stock assessments and fishery management plans, DMF proposes to:

• Limit the retention of false albacore and Atlantic bonito by any fisher to no more than five (5) fish per person per calendar day.
• Adopt a minimum size for retention by any fisher at 16” fork length. 
•  Consider an exemption to the proposed possession and size limits for the incidental catch of these species in commercial mackerel jigging operations.

Commercial Menhaden Management (322 CMR 6.43, 7.01, and 7.04). In response to recent fishery performance and the high level of latent permits, DMF proposes to:

• Rescind the quota use trigger that drops the limited entry fishery’s trip limit from 25,000 pounds to 6,000 pounds when 90% of the annual quota is taken.
• For 2026, use the existing August 1, 2023 control date for the limited entry Menhaden Endorsement to limit renewals only to those permit holders who reported selling at least 6,000 pounds of menhaden during the period of January 1, 2019 – July 31, 2023 or who hold this endorsement in combination with a Fish Weir Endorsement and have a history of taking fish by weirs during the period of January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2024.  
•  For 2026, limit issuance of Coastal Access Permit – Purse Seine Endorsements to only those persons who held the endorsement prior to the existing August 1, 2023 control date. Then adopt a control date of December 31, 2024, which may be used in the future to further limit entry based on to-be-determined eligibility criteria.

State Waters Groundfish Management (322 CMR 6.03 and 7.04). In response to recent federal actions taken in Framework 69, the setting of the state waters sub-components for the upcoming fishing year, and the high levels of latent permits, DMF proposes to:

• Update the boundaries for cod management areas to integrate the use of the Western Gulf of Maine and Southern New England cod stock areas.
• Reduce the commercial trip limit for Western Gulf of Maine cod from 400 pounds to 300 pounds, or as an alternative, consider potential seasonal trip limit reductions.
• Enact a commercial and recreational moratorium on the retention of Southern New England cod.
• Increase the commercial trip limit for Gulf of Maine yellowtail flounder from 350 pounds to 500 pounds.
• Update the control date for the state waters Groundfish Endorsement from December 31, 2018, to December 31, 2024, which may be used in the future to further limit entry based on to-be- determined eligibility criteria.

Commercial Summer Flounder Management (322 CMR 6.22). In response to recent fishery performance, DMF proposes to:

• For Period I (January 1 – April 22):
• Reduce the seasonal quota allocation from 30% to as low as 15% beginning in 2026.
• Reduce the trip limit from 5,000 pounds to 2,000 pounds 
• For the summertime fishery (April 23 – September 30):
• Reduce the trip limit for net fishers from 600 pounds to 500 pounds and for hook fishers from 400 pounds to 325 pounds.
• Adjust the existing quota-use-based trip limit reduction trigger from 75% quota use on or before August 1 to 75% quota use on or before August 15.
• Adopt a new quota use trigger that drops the trip limit to 200 pounds for all gear types if 90% of the quota is taken on or before September 1.

Use of Conch Pots (322 CMR 6.12 and 6.31). To address emerging protected species entanglement concerns, DMF proposes to apply the state’s conch pot management program to its permit holders while also fishing in federal waters. This includes:

• Requiring a Conch Pot endorsement be held for a Massachusetts permit holder to fish conch pot gear in federal waters or to possess or land whelks taken by conch pot gear in federal waters.
• Mandating that the permit holder affix a valid annual conch pot trap tag to all conch pot gear on the vessel or set in state or federal waters and that the 200-conch pot limit be adhered to regardless of where the gear is fished.
• Applying the December 16 – April 14 closed season for conch pot gear to conch pot gear set by Massachusetts permit holders in federal waters.

Commercial American Eel Management (322 CMR 6.30, 7.01, and 7.04). To address poor stock conditions, DMF is proposing to limit the commercial fishery by either:

• Adopting a December 31, 2024 control date for the American Eel Endorsement, and then in 2026, limit entry in this fishery to only those permit holders who reported landing or selling any quantity of eels over the prior five years (2020 – 2024). Then potentially making the remaining endorsements owner-operator and/or non-transferable.
• Or alternatively, enacting a harvest moratorium on the commercial eel fishery for 2026.

Coastal Shark Management (322 CMR 6.37). To ensure compliance with the interstate fishery management plan for coastal sharks, DMF proposes to prohibit the retention of oceanic whitetip sharks.

Dogfish Fins (322 CMR 6.37). To improve the enforcement of the existing shark fin prohibition, DMF proposes to mandate the possession of paperwork demonstrating the lawful origin of dogfish fins possessed or offered for sale.

Restrictions on Casting, Chumming, and Shore-Based Shark Fishing (322 CMR 4.09 and 6.37). To better constrain shore-based shark fishing and enforce the existing prohibition on capturing white sharks:

• Define shore-based shark fishing as any fishing not occurring on a vessel and using a hook with a size of 8/0 or greater attached to a metal leader and prohibit this activity along the Massachusetts coastline from the New Hampshire border through Chatham (including all of Monomoy Island), except for the shores inside Plymouth, Kingston, and Duxbury Bays.
• Prohibit chumming when conducting any shore fishing.
• Prohibit the launching of all baits by any means other than casting with a rod and reel.

Recreational Black Sea Bass Season (322 CMR 6.28). To maintain the longstanding opening of this fishery on a Saturday, DMF proposes to move the start date from May 18 to May 17 resulting in a corresponding closure date on September 1 rather than September 3.

Protected Species Entanglement Reporting (322 CMR 12.02 and 12.08). To enhance entanglement reporting requirements, DMF is proposing to require any operator of any vessel to report any observed entanglement of a large whale or sea turtle to NOAA Fisheries, the Massachusetts Environmental Police, or the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies. This reporting requirement currently applies to only observed entanglements of right whales.

Possession of Non-Native Worms (322 CMR 6.10). To address biosecurity concerns related to reports regarding the use of Pacific lugworms as bait in the northeast, DMF is proposing to prohibit the sale and use of non-native seaworm species.

CMR No.: 322 CMR 4.00, 6.00, 7.00, and 12.00
Small Business Impact Statement

(As required by M.G.L. c. 30A §§ 2, 3 & 5) 

• Estimate of the Number of Small Businesses Impacted by the Regulation:

  In 2024, DMF issued 7,659 commercial fishing permits. Each of these permit holders may be impacted by these draft regulations. The extent of the impact is dependent on the fisheries they participate in. The most impact will be to those commercial fishers who may lose access to the eel and menhaden fisheries. Of the existing 50 menhaden permit holders, DMF’s proposal would reduce access to between 15 and 20. Of the existing 234 eel permit holders, DMF’s proposal would reduce access to between 3 and 9 individuals.

• Will small businesses have to create, file, or issue additional reports?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to implement additional recordkeeping procedures?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to provide additional administrative oversight?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to hire additional employees in order to comply with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does compliance with the regulation require small businesses to hire other professionals (e.g. a lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc.)?

  No.  

• Does the regulation require small businesses to purchase a product or make any other capital investments in order to comply with the regulation?

  No.

• Are performance standards more appropriate than design/operational standards to accomplish the regulatory objective?

  
  (Performance standards express requirements in terms of outcomes, giving the regulated party flexibility to achieve regulatory objectives and design/operational standards specify exactly what actions regulated parties must take.)

  DMF regulations control the harvest of marine species to comply with federal law, manage statequotas and protect the environment. Performance standards are not appropriate without individual transferable quotas allocated to individual fishermen. Managing state-waters fisheries with individual quotas would have negative economic impacts across the seafood industry.
  

• Do any other regulations duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to cooperate with audits, inspections, or other regulatory enforcement activities?

  All audits and inspections are done in accordance with M.G.L. c. 130. No additional inspections are required under this amendment.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements?

  No. DMF does not anticipate the proposed regulations will require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements.

• Is the regulation likely to deter the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  Yes. DMF is proposing to restrict access to the commercial eel and menhaden fisheries based on historic participation thereby limiting access to these fisheries moving forward.

• Is the regulation likely to encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No. The proposed regulations do not address enhancing entry into these fisheries and other factors, such as permit and vessel availability and cost and shoreside infrastructure, determine the formation of new businesses.

• Does the regulation provide for less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No. This is not addressed by these draft regulations.

• Does the regulation establish less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No. This is not addressed by these draft regulations.

• Did the agency consolidate or simplify compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No. This is not addressed by these draft regulations.

• Can performance standards for small businesses replace design or operational standards without hindering delivery of the regulatory objective?

  No. Operational standards are needed for consistent and clear notification, enforcement, and compliance.

• Are there alternative regulatory methods that would minimize the adverse impact on small businesses?

  No. Operational standards are needed for consistent and clear notification, enforcement, and compliance.

Marine Fisheries, Division of - CMR 6.00 (6.07)

Notice of Public Hearing and Comment Period on Striped Bass Management

Under the provisions of G.L. c. 30A and pursuant to the authority found at G.L. c. 130 §§ 17A, 21, 100A, and 104, the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is taking public comment on a series of proposed regulatory amendments to the state’s striped bass regulations at 322 CMR 6.07. Full text of the regulations may be found on DMF’s website along with additional relevant background information.

Public Hearing and Comment Schedule

DMF will accept written public comment through 5PM on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Please submit written comments to Director Daniel McKiernan by e-mail (marine.fish@mass.gov). Additionally, DMF will host two in-person public hearings.

Monday, March 10, 2025 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
DMF’s Annisquam River Field Station
30 Emerson Avenue Gloucester, MA

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 6:00 PM – 9:00PM
Admiral’s Hall at MA Maritime
1 Academy Drive Buzzards Bay, MA

DMF will accept written public comment through 5PM on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Please submit written comments to Director Daniel McKiernan by e-mail (marine.fish@mass.gov). Additionally, DMF will host two in-person public hearings.

Proposed Regulatory Amendments

Striped Bass Management (322 CMR 6.07). To benefit striped bass conservation, DMF proposes to:

• Amend how total length is measured by requiring commercial and recreational fishers squeeze the tail together to determine compliance with minimum and maximum sizes. 
•  Establish a slot limit for the commercial striped bass fishery with a minimum size no smaller than 32” and a maximum size of up to 44”. 
• Extend the recreational fishery prohibition on the use of gaffs and other injurious tools to the commercial fishery. 
•  Delete outdated language regarding filleting restrictions

CMR No.: 322 CMR 6.00 (6.07)
Small Business Impact Statement

(As required by M.G.L. c. 30A §§ 2, 3 & 5) 

• Estimate of the Number of Small Businesses Impacted by the Regulation:

  In 2024, DMF issued 4,716 commercial striped bass permits. Each of these permit holders may be impacted by these draft regulations.

• Will small businesses have to create, file, or issue additional reports?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to implement additional recordkeeping procedures?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to provide additional administrative oversight?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to hire additional employees in order to comply with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does compliance with the regulation require small businesses to hire other professionals (e.g. a lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc.)?

  No.  

• Does the regulation require small businesses to purchase a product or make any other capital investments in order to comply with the regulation?

  No.

• Are performance standards more appropriate than design/operational standards to accomplish the regulatory objective?

  
  (Performance standards express requirements in terms of outcomes, giving the regulated party flexibility to achieve regulatory objectives and design/operational standards specify exactly what actions regulated parties must take.)

  DMF regulations control the harvest of striped bass to comply with the interstate fishery management plan, manage state-quotas, and protect the marine environment. Performance standards are not appropriate without individual transferable quotas allocated to individual fishermen. Managing state-waters fisheries with individual quotas would have negative economic impacts across the seafood industry.
  

• Do any other regulations duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to cooperate with audits, inspections, or other regulatory enforcement activities?

  All audits and inspections are done in accordance with M.G.L. c. 130. No additional inspections are required under this amendment.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements?

  No. DMF does not anticipate the proposed regulations will require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements.

• Is the regulation likely to deter the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Does the regulation provide for less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  Yes. This draft regulation proposes a range of potential minimum and maximum sizes to be adopted to govern the commercial retention of striped bass.

• Does the regulation establish less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  Yes. This draft regulation proposes a range of potential minimum and maximum sizes to be adopted to govern the commercial retention of striped bass.

• Did the agency consolidate or simplify compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No. This is not addressed by these draft regulations.

• Can performance standards for small businesses replace design or operational standards without hindering delivery of the regulatory objective?

  No. Operational standards are needed for consistent and clear notification, enforcement, and compliance.

• Are there alternative regulatory methods that would minimize the adverse impact on small businesses?

  No. Operational standards are needed for consistent and clear notification, enforcement, and compliance.

Municipal Police Training Committee - 550 CMR 3.00 & 6.00

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A, the Municipal Police Training Committee (“MPTC”) will conduct a public hearing for the purposes of gathering comments, ideas, and information concerning proposed amendments to 550 CMR 3.00, which governs training requirements for law enforcement officers, and 550 CMR 6.00, which governs the use of force by Commonwealth law enforcement officers. 

Summary of Proposed Amendments:
The MPTC is updating 550 CMR 3.00 following a major overhaul in January 2023 in response to chapter 253 of the Acts of 2020, “An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth,” commonly referred to as “police reform.” Police reform impacted MPTC’s mission greatly by drastically expanding its jurisdiction and responsibilities relating to the training of law enforcement officers. This regulation governs basic recruit training, specialized training, in-service training, and the operation of police academies, among other important topics. After two years of operating with the post-police reform regulation, additional changes are required.
The MPTC is also making a few minor revisions to 550 CMR 6.00, the use of force regulation that MPTC shares with the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) commission (555 CMR 6.00). The changes are required so that consistency exists between the two agencies’ regulations.

Availability of Proposed Amendments:
The amended regulations may be obtained by visiting the MPTC website at: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/municipal-police-training-committee. A written copy of the amended regulations may be obtained by e-mailing a request to John.Melander@mass.gov or by mailing a request to General Counsel James H. O’Brien at the Municipal Police Training Committee, 42 Thomas Patten Drive Randolph, MA 02368.

Hearing Details:
The hearing will be held virtually, using the Microsoft Teams platform, on March 7, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
To join, please use the following link: Link to Join. 

To join via telephone (audio only), dial 857-327-9245 and use the following conference ID: 856 376 803#.
If you are joining by computer, you may need to allow extra time to download Microsoft Teams. While it is not required, you are encouraged to pre-register if you are interested in offering comments at the hearing by sending an email to John.Melander@mass.gov with a subject line stating, “MPTC Public Comment.” Attendees should otherwise dress and conduct themselves as if attending the hearing in person. 

Submission of Comments:
Written comments or testimony in advance of the hearing are welcome and may be submitted by e-mail to John.Melander@mass.gov with a subject line stating, “MPTC Public Comment” or by mail to General Counsel James H. O’Brien at the Municipal Police Training Committee, 42 Thomas Patten Drive Randolph, MA 02368. Comments received after March 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. may not be accepted. All persons desiring to be heard on this matter should appear at the designated time and event. 

CMR No.: 550 CMR 3.00
Small Business Impact Statement

(As required by M.G.L. c. 30A §§ 2, 3 & 5) 

• Estimate of the Number of Small Businesses Impacted by the Regulation:

  0

• Will small businesses have to create, file, or issue additional reports?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to implement additional recordkeeping procedures?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to provide additional administrative oversight?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to hire additional employees in order to comply with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does compliance with the regulation require small businesses to hire other professionals (e.g. a lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc.)?

  No.  

• Does the regulation require small businesses to purchase a product or make any other capital investments in order to comply with the regulation?

  No.

• Are performance standards more appropriate than design/operational standards to accomplish the regulatory objective?

  
  (Performance standards express requirements in terms of outcomes, giving the regulated party flexibility to achieve regulatory objectives and design/operational standards specify exactly what actions regulated parties must take.)

  No.  
  

• Do any other regulations duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to cooperate with audits, inspections, or other regulatory enforcement activities?

  No.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to deter the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Does the regulation provide for less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Does the regulation establish less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Did the agency consolidate or simplify compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Can performance standards for small businesses replace design or operational standards without hindering delivery of the regulatory objective?

  No.

• Are there alternative regulatory methods that would minimize the adverse impact on small businesses?

  No.

Public Health, Department of
105 CMR 125.000

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §2, that the Department of Public Health will hold a public hearing and comment period on proposed amendments to 105 CMR 125.000 Licensing of Radiologic Technologists.

The proposed amendments would add a new Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography discipline for a licensed radiologic technologist.

The public hearing will be held on Wednesday March 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The hearing will be conducted on a moderated conference call. The information for the moderated conference call is:

Dial-in Telephone Number: 888-469-0502
Participant Passcode: 9640569
To Testify Press: *1

A copy of the proposed amendments to 105 CMR 125.000 may be viewed on the Department’s website at http://mass.gov/dph/proposed-regulations or requested from the Office of the General Counsel by calling 617-624-5220.

Speakers who testify at the public hearing are requested to provide a copy of their oral testimony. The Department encourages all interested parties to submit written testimony electronically to Reg.Testimony@mass.gov, or by mail to:
William Anderson, Office of the General Counsel
Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108.
Please submit electronic testimony as an attached Word document and type “Licensing of Radiologic Technologists” in the subject line of the email. All submitted testimony must include the sender’s full name and address.

The Department will post all electronic testimony that complies with these instructions on its website. All comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on March 26, 2025. All comments received by the Department may be released in response to a request for public records.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, or are a person with a disability who requires accommodation, please contact Stacy Hart at least 5 days before the hearing at Tel # 857-274-1120, or email Stacy.Hart@mass.gov. 

CMR No: 105 CMR 125.000: Licensing of Radiological Technologists
Small Business Impact Statement

(As required by M.G.L. c. 30A §§ 2, 3 & 5)

• Estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the proposed regulation:

  These regulations impose licensing requirements on individuals who want to practice as Radiologic Technologists in MA. It is not expected to impact small businesses.

• Will small businesses have to create, file, or issue additional reports?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to implement additional recordkeeping procedures?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to provide additional administrative oversight?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to hire additional employees in order to comply with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does compliance with the regulation require small businesses to hire other professionals (e.g. a lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc.)?

  No.  

• Does the regulation require small businesses to purchase a product or make any other capital investments in order to comply with the regulation?

  No.  

• Are performance standards more appropriate than design/operational standards to accomplish the regulatory objective?

  (Performance standards express requirements in terms of outcomes, giving the regulated party flexibility to achieve regulatory objectives and design/operational standards specify exactly what actions regulated parties must take.)

  No.

• Do any other regulations duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation?

  No. There are no other regulations that duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to cooperate with audits, inspections or other regulatory enforcement activities?

  No.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to deter the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.  

• Is the regulation likely to encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Does the regulation provide for less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Does the regulation establish less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Did the agency consolidate or simplify compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Can performance standards for small businesses replace design or operational standards without hindering delivery of the regulatory objective?

  No.

• Are there alternative regulatory methods that would minimize the adverse impact on small businesses?

  No.  

Social Workers, Board of Registration of
258 CMR 9.00 & 30.00   

Notice of Public Hearing

Notice is hereby given pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §2 that the Board of Registration in Social Workers (“BORSW”) within the Department of Public Health will hold a public hearing on emergency amendments to the following regulations: 258 CMR 9.00 Licensure Requirements and Procedures; and 258 CMR 30.00 Complaint Procedures and Grounds for Disciplinary Action.

258 CMR 9.00 sets forth the Board’s requirements, responsibilities, and procedures for social work licensure in the Commonwealth.

258 CMR 30.00 governs the procedures for filing, investigating, and the disposition of complaints. 

These proposed emergency amendments implement and codify into regulation the provisions of M.G.L. c. 112, § 77, as amended by St. 2022, c. 127, An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender Affirming Care. The proposed emergency amendments protect social workers from disqualification from licensure, and from BORSW discipline, on the basis of providing, or assisting in providing, reproductive health care services and gender affirming health care services if the services provided would be lawful and consistent with good professional practice if they occurred entirely within Massachusetts. The protection extends to discipline based on a judgment, discipline or other sanction arising from such services.

The public hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025. The hearing will be conducted on a moderated conference call. The information for the moderated conference call is: 
Dial-In Telephone Number: 800-779-9120
Participant Passcode: 1258459

A copy of the proposed amendments to 258 CMR 9.00 and 258 CMR 30.00 may be viewed on the Department’s website at http://mass.gov/dph/proposed-regulations or requested from the Office of the General Counsel by calling 617-624-5220.

Speakers who testify at the public hearing are requested to provide a copy of their oral testimony. The Department encourages all interested parties to submit testimony electronically to the following address: Reg.Testimony@mass.gov, or by mail to William Anderson, Office of the The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Public Health  - 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108-4619
MAURA T. HEALEY Governor KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL Lieutenant Governor KATHLEEN E. WALSH Secretary ROBERT GOLDSTEIN, MD, PhD Commissioner Tel: 617-624-6000 www.mass.gov/dph General Counsel, Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108. All submissions must include the sender’s full name and address. When electronically submitting comments, type “BORSW Regulations” in the subject line and attach a Word document with your comments or type your comments in the body of your email. All submissions must include the sender’s full name and address.

The Department will post all testimony that complies with these instructions on its website. All comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025. All comments received by the Department may be released in response to a request for public records.

CMR No: 258 CMR 9.00: Licensure Requirements and Procedures  
Small Business Impact Statement

(As required by M.G.L. c. 30A §§ 2, 3 & 5) 

• Estimate of the Number of Small Businesses Impacted by the Regulation:

  0
  

• Will small businesses have to create, file, or issue additional reports?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to implement additional recordkeeping procedures?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to provide additional administrative oversight?

  No.

• Will small businesses have to hire additional employees in order to comply with the proposed regulation?

  No.

• Does compliance with the regulation require small businesses to hire other professionals (e.g. a lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc.)?

  No.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to purchase a product or make any other capital investments in order to comply with the regulation?

  No.

• Are performance standards more appropriate than design/operational standards to accomplish the regulatory objective?

  
  (Performance standards express requirements in terms of outcomes, giving the regulated party flexibility to achieve regulatory objectives and design/operational standards specify exactly what actions regulated parties must take.)

  No. The proposed changes must be made through regulation to implement statutory protections applicable to social work licensure established by St. 2022, c. 127, An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender Affirming Care.
  

• Do any other regulations duplicate or conflict with the proposed regulation?

  No. There are no other regulations that duplicate or conflict with the proposed amendments to this regulation, although complimentary changes may also be made to regulations governing disciplinary actions applicable to other types of care providers granted statutory protections pursuant to St. 2022, c. 127, An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender Affirming Care.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to cooperate with audits, inspections, or other regulatory enforcement activities?

  No.

• Does the regulation require small businesses to provide educational services to keep up to date with regulatory requirements?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to deter the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Is the regulation likely to encourage the formation of small businesses in Massachusetts?

  No.

• Does the regulation provide for less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Does the regulation establish less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Did the agency consolidate or simplify compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses?

  No.

• Can performance standards for small businesses replace design or operational standards without hindering delivery of the regulatory objective?

  No. The proposed changes must be made through regulation to implement statutory changes to social worker’s scope of practice.

• Are there alternative regulatory methods that would minimize the adverse impact on small businesses?

  No.