Assisted living residences operating in Massachusetts must be certified by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (Elder Affairs) and meet the requirements set forth in M.G.L. c 19D and 651 CMR 12.00 et seq (PDF) 
. Included in the regulations are the following requirements:
. Included in the regulations are the following requirements: one or two bedroom units with entry doors that lock
private bathrooms for each unit in newly constructed ALRs
private kitchenettes or access to cooking facilities
at least one meal a day
for all residents who need it, assistance with bathing, dressing, ambulation and supervision of or reminders to take prescribed medications.
24 hour a day on-site staff
emergency response systems to signal on-site staff
individualized service plans
residency agreements (lease/contract) which detail what the ALR will provide to the resident, including the rights and responsibilities of both the ALR and the resident.