HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 605 FILED ON: 1/11/2019
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 621
|
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
James J. O'Day
_________________
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.
_______________
PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
James J. O'Day | 14th Worcester | 1/11/2019 |
Christine P. Barber | 34th Middlesex | 1/31/2019 |
Marjorie C. Decker | 25th Middlesex | 2/1/2019 |
Sal N. DiDomenico | Middlesex and Suffolk | 2/1/2019 |
Tami L. Gouveia | 14th Middlesex | 1/30/2019 |
Jonathan Hecht | 29th Middlesex | 1/29/2019 |
Natalie M. Higgins | 4th Worcester | 1/30/2019 |
Russell E. Holmes | 6th Suffolk | 1/30/2019 |
Daniel J. Hunt | 13th Suffolk | 1/28/2019 |
Patricia D. Jehlen | Second Middlesex | 2/1/2019 |
Louis L. Kafka | 8th Norfolk | 1/17/2019 |
Mary S. Keefe | 15th Worcester | 1/31/2019 |
Adrian C. Madaro | 1st Suffolk | 1/28/2019 |
Michael O. Moore | Second Worcester | 2/1/2019 |
David M. Rogers | 24th Middlesex | 1/31/2019 |
Denise Provost | 27th Middlesex | 1/31/2019 |
Kay Khan | 11th Middlesex | 2/1/2019 |
Sean Garballey | 23rd Middlesex | 2/1/2019 |
Carlos González | 10th Hampden | 2/1/2019 |
Mike Connolly | 26th Middlesex | 2/1/2019 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 605 FILED ON: 1/11/2019
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 621
By Mr. O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 621) of James J. O'Day and others for legislation to provide emergency aid to certain elderly and disabled residents. Elder Affairs. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)
_______________
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 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-
Any person experiencing homelessness, who (i) has no established place of abode, or lives in a temporary emergency shelter, and (ii) 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, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, 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, as so appearing, 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, as so appearing, 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 under chapter 118 of the General Laws. The department shall promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.