Press Release: 5/15/2026

Massachusetts Approves Comprehensive Revisions to Residential Program Regulations

 

Vote marks the state’s first comprehensive update to residential program licensing regulations in more than 30 years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

5/14/2026

 

WESTBOROUGH — The Board of Early Education and Care voted to promulgate revisions to the state’s regulations governing residential programs, marking the first comprehensive update to these regulations in more than 30 years. As proposed by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, these changes promote a stronger workforce through improved requirements on staff professional development, including on trauma-informed and responsive care, cultural responsiveness, professional boundaries and missing or absent children. The regulations also require staff training related to the prevention and identification of sexual abuse, grooming and exploitation.

Further, the regulation changes improve child safety through policies regarding the use of surveillance cameras, align with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s updated regulations on seclusion practices, and require more comprehensive treatment plans that consider a child’s long-term goals, trauma history, culture or religion, LGBTQ+ identity, and behavior needs. Residential programs are also required to share more information with their boards, such as EEC licensing reviews and investigations to improve accountability and transparency.

“These approved regulations promote safer, more inclusive and dignified residential program experiences for children and youth – centering their needs and wellbeing. We’re proud in Massachusetts to continue efforts that strengthen the residential program workforce and support children to succeed,” said Secretary of Education Steve Zrike. “I want to thank the Board of Early Education and Care for their partnership and support in this critical work.”

“This milestone represents an important step forward in strengthening oversight, safety, and quality in our residential programs who serve children and youth with highly complex needs,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “We are grateful to the providers, families, advocates, and community partners whose feedback and collaboration were invaluable, and we remain committed to strengthening support for both the workforce and the children they serve.”

“Updating these regulations after 30 years is a major milestone,” said Paul Belsito, Chair of the Board of Early Education and Care. “The Board appreciates the work of the Department and the many stakeholders who helped shape these updates to ensure strong protections and high-quality care for children across the Commonwealth.”

These approved regulations build on the administration’s work to strengthen this workforce and improve the safety and well-being of children. Governor Maura Healey’s recently filed supplemental budget includes language that would allow the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to include information from the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) abuse registry in background checks for candidates to work in residential programs. The administration also recently launched a $15 million Loan Repayment Programthat includes residential program staff, as well as expanded the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship to include residential program staff.

EEC currently licenses over 330 residential programs, with the capacity to support over 5,500 children and youth. Residential programs serve residents up to age 18 (or 22, for certain children living with disabilities) and provide care and housing for residents in a group care setting outside of their family home. Many of the residents at these programs have complex behavioral health and/or social-emotional needs or are otherwise in need of additional complex support.

The regulatory revisions are the result of extensive national research, internal review, stakeholder engagement and public comment. This engagement included people with lived experience, trade and advocacy groups, residential program providers, and state agencies. The Board sent the proposed changes out for public comment from December 11, 2025 through January 12, 2026. EEC received 26 comments throughout the public comment period from trade groups, advocacy groups, individual providers, legislators, and persons served. Today’s final regulations incorporate this feedback.

“Updating the residential programs regulations provides a significant opportunity to better safeguard children and create new pathways for their voices to be heard,” said Maria Mossaides, Director of the Office of the Child Advocate. “The Office of the Child Advocate was pleased to work closely with EEC on these revisions, and we appreciate the collaborative approach the agency has taken over the past year. The new regulations are more child-centered, add additional safety protections, and ensure additional staff training in critical areas, including restraint prevention and sexual abuse prevention. This is an important step forward, and the OCA looks forward to continued partnership with EEC to ensure the new regulations are successfully implemented.”

“EEC’s leadership in engaging providers, agencies, and trade associations throughout this process demonstrates the value of strong public-private partnerships. Over the course of the past year, stakeholders worked collectively to provide thoughtful feedback on the comprehensive review of Residential and Placement Regulations, always with a shared commitment to strengthening licensing requirements that prioritize the safety, well-being, and positive outcomes of children and families. Key is proud to have participated in this collaborative effort and to support initiatives that advance quality care, accountability, and meaningful partnership within Massachusetts’ early education and care system on behalf of the children and families in the Commonwealth,” said Tammy Mello, President & Chief Executive Officer of Key Program, Inc.

“The Children’s League appreciates the hard work and collaborative approach by EEC to update the regulations for licensure of residential programs. These updates advance our ability to provide safe and high-quality care and housing for some of the Commonwealth's most vulnerable children, in partnership with multiple state agencies that rely on these services. The updated regulations take a more child-centered approach, improve clarity, and support system efficiency, which allows providers to focus on what they do best – caring for children and youth,” said Rachel Gwaltney, Executive Director of the Children’s League of Massachusetts.

The revised regulations will take effect on November 17, 2026.