Massachusetts Division of Insurance Proposes Streamlining 11 Regulations Under “Massachusetts Means Business” Initiative

Healey Aiming to Modernize Business Regulation and Boost Competitiveness

In a major step toward easing regulatory burdens on businesses, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI) has unveiled proposed amendments to eleven of its existing insurance regulations. The move is part of Governor Maura Healey’s broader “Massachusetts Means Business” campaign, a statewide initiative launched earlier this year to strengthen the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness by reducing red tape and modernizing outdated regulatory frameworks.

“Massachusetts means business. We need to support our entrepreneurs and companies, cut their costs, and make it easier to do business in our state,” said Governor Healey. “That’s what we are doing by cutting red tape, simplifying regulations, and saving thousands of businesses and business owners significant time and money so they can focus on what matters most – growing jobs and contributing to our economy.”

A Statewide Effort to Reduce Barriers

The regulatory reform push began in earnest following Governor Healey’s January 2025 State of the Commonwealth address, in which she tasked the Executive Office of Economic Development and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) with reviewing the state’s regulatory landscape to identify opportunities for streamlining.

OCABR responded by coordinating a wide-reaching outreach effort. Meetings were held with business owners, surveys were distributed statewide, and consultations were conducted with trade associations and professional stakeholders. This effort was designed to ensure that recommendations for reform were rooted in practical feedback from the Massachusetts business community.

“We’re calling this massive effort ‘Massachusetts Means Business’ because we want our companies to grow and succeed,” the campaign materials emphasize.

Key Survey Findings Highlight Insurance as a Top Concern

A survey released in March 2025 by OCABR helped spotlight specific pain points within the state’s regulatory system. Of the 62 businesses that responded:

68% represented small businesses with 50 or fewer employees.
Respondents came from all parts of the state, with Greater Boston (28%), the Northeast (13%), Central Massachusetts and Metrowest (10% each) being the most represented regions.
Insurance compliance and requirements were cited by 24% of respondents as the top regulatory area posing challenges, ahead of business compliance inspections (20%).
33% of businesses identified increased operational costs as the most significant impact of regulatory complexity.
29% of respondents called for the elimination of redundant or outdated regulations to ease compliance burdens.

These findings helped shape the DOI’s proposed reforms, which are intended to enhance both regulatory efficiency and market competitiveness for insurers operating in Massachusetts.

In commenting on the announcement, Chris Stark, Executive Director, Massachusetts Insurance Federation (MIF) offered the following:
“The Massachusetts Insurance Federation strongly supports the Healey-Driscoll administration’s efforts to make it easier for insurers to engage with the Division of Insurance, including eliminating duplicative and confusing paper filing requirements.”

Division of Insurance Proposes Targeted Regulatory Amendments

The DOI’s proposed rule changes affect eleven sets of regulations currently codified under 211 CMR. According to the Division, the proposed amendments are designed to directly benefit more than 1,400 licensed insurance companies and nearly 200,000 individual producers operating in the state.

The key elements of the reform package include:

Eliminating Outdated Filing Requirements: The DOI plans to end requirements for paper filings and supporting materials on computer discs—an approach that not only modernizes submission procedures but also aligns with the Commonwealth’s broader climate and sustainability initiatives.
Rescinding Obsolete Regulations: Four regulations deemed outdated or irrelevant are set to be repealed entirely, reducing the overall volume of rules insurers must navigate.
Accelerating Market Entry: Proposed changes aim to streamline the filing and review process for new entrants to the Massachusetts insurance market, reducing time to market and encouraging innovation.
Improving Environmental Efficiency: By moving away from paper filings and embracing electronic processes, the DOI’s proposals support a more environmentally conscious regulatory framework.

The Division of Insurance has released redlined versions of each proposed amendment, allowing the public and industry stakeholders to review the precise changes under consideration.