FILED ON: 2/27/2020

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2576

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act to provide identification to homeless youth and families.

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 8E of Chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following 2 paragraphs:-

When establishing criteria for identification cards, the registrar’s regulations shall include a process for a person who is homeless or is an unaccompanied homeless youth to apply for a Massachusetts identification card and to waive any fees associated with obtaining the identification card; provided, however, that the process shall allow for a person who is homeless or is an unaccompanied homeless youth to submit proof of residency by providing documentation that is satisfactory to the registrar and that: (i) is from an entity that provides services in the commonwealth, including, but not limited to, homeless service providers; or (ii) is evidence of services that the person received from a department, division, office or agency of the executive office of health and  human services. The registrar and the state secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding under section 42G ½ of chapter 51 to implement this paragraph, as appropriate.

For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Homeless”, shall have the same meaning as in section 103 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, 42 USC 11302(a), as amended.

“Unaccompanied homeless youth”, a person who: (i) is 24 years of age or younger; (ii) is not in the physical custody or care of a parent or legal guardian; and (iii) lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.