SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1996        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 745

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Ryan C. Fattman

_________________

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 helping young parents and families.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Ryan C. Fattman

Worcester and Norfolk

 

Kathleen R. LaNatra

12th Plymouth

2/1/2019

Michael O. Moore

Second Worcester

2/1/2019

Anne M. Gobi

Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex

2/1/2019

Michael J. Soter

8th Worcester

2/1/2019


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1996        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 745

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 745) of Ryan C. Fattman, Kathleen R. LaNatra, Michael O. Moore, Anne M. Gobi and others for legislation to help young parents and families.  Higher Education.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act helping young parents 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:
 

Chapter 15C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 30. As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

“Newborn child”, a child not more than 6 months of age.

“Student loan”, a loan primarily used to finance education or other school-related expenses.

“Borrower”, a resident of the commonwealth who has received or agreed to pay a student loan or a person who shares responsibility with that resident for repaying the student loan.

The Massachusetts Educational Finance Authority, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall promulgate regulations and develop a program to allow for the deferment of student loans dispersed by the Authority by any borrower who is pregnant or who is a parent or guardian caring for or adopting a newborn child. Said regulation shall: (i) include a deferment period of not less than 6 months; (ii) require a birth certificate, adoption certificate, or appropriate documentation from a healthcare professional or primary care doctor; and (iii) be established no later than December 31, 2021.