HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2295        FILED ON: 1/19/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2077

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

James J. O'Day

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to assisting elders and people with disabilities in the Commonwealth.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2295        FILED ON: 1/19/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2077

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 529 OF 2015-2016.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

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An Act relative to assisting elders and people with disabilities in the Commonwealth.

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. Section 1 of chapter 117A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-Any homeless person, (i) who has no established place of abode, or who lives in a temporary emergency shelter, and (ii) who is otherwise eligible under the provisions of this chapter, shall receive the same payment rate as recipients who incur shelter costs including, but not limited to rent or a mortgage. The department shall promulgate or revise any such rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

SECTION 2. Chapter 117A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10 the following new section:- Section 11. Effective July first of every year the department shall increase the total budget of each eligible recipient, before taking into consideration any available income and resources, by a percentage amount equal to the percentage rise in the United States Consumer Price Index for January first of that year over the level of said index for January first of the previous year plus such additional percentage amount as is recommended annually by the department and appropriated by the general court. The department shall promulgate such rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.

SECTION 3. Chapter 117A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10 the following new section: Section 12. The combined assets of an assistance unit may not exceed $2,500. In determining countable assets, the department shall exclude the first $15,000 in fair market value of a vehicle; provided that the commissioner may grant a waiver for a vehicle with a market value in excess of $15,000 if the commissioner determines the vehicle is necessary for employment or because of other household circumstances.

SECTION 4. Chapter 117A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10 the following new section: Section 13. The department shall set the maximum benefit for the program in this chapter at the same level as the program in chapter 118 of the General Laws. The department shall promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.