Gov. Maura Healey proposed a series of major changes to state-run emergency shelters Wednesday that attempt to cordon off the maxed-out system from individuals who are not Massachusetts residents, including by implementing a three-month residency requirement.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is proposing to significantly tighten the rules on who is allowed into the state’s emergency shelter system. But some advocates for the homeless argue the sweeping changes would have long-term negative effects of needy families.

BOSTON - The heavily scrutinized right-to-shelter law in Massachusetts would change significantly under a new proposal shared by Gov. Maura Healey Wednesday.

Governor Maura Healey said the right-to-shelter laws' “original intent” was not to cover the “waves and waves of people,” including migrant families, who have come into the state in recent years.

Less than a week after condemning security concerns surrounding a lack of background checks performed at shelters, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is proposing changes to the state's right-to-shelter law.

The residency requirements could effectively end the law as it's currently applied, meaning newly arrived immigrants could be ineligible.

Maura Healey on Wednesday asked lawmakers to limit emergency shelter to Massachusetts residents, among other major changes to the state's right-to-shelter law. Why it matters: The emergency shelter system has come under scrutiny in recent years for expanding to house thousands of migrants fleeing their native countries,