SENATE DOCKET, NO. 86        FILED ON: 1/12/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 66

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act to enhance opportunities for housing among recipients of transitional assistance..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of transitional assistance shall each month deposit into escrow accounts for the benefit of homeless individuals and families receiving assistance under the program of emergency aid to elders, disabled and children, pursuant to Chapter 117A of the General Laws, or receiving assistance under the program of transitional aid to families with dependent children, pursuant to Chapter 118 of the General Laws, an amount equal to the amount by which the department reduces the grants of said individuals and families for lack of shelter expenses. Such escrowed funds shall be available to such individuals and families to obtain and retain permanent housing and to remove barriers to obtaining and retaining housing and shall not be countable toward otherwise applicable asset limits.