HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3402        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4031

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Nika C. Elugardo

_________________

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 resolve:

Resolve regarding the Commonwealth's commitment to student wellbeing as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Nika C. Elugardo

15th Suffolk

2/18/2021


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3402        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4031

By Ms. Elugardo of Boston, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 4031) of Nika C. Elugardo for legislation to establish financial welfare, housing security and discrimination protection for college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Covid-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

Resolve regarding the Commonwealth's commitment to student wellbeing as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Resolved, SECTION 1. (a) The department of transitional assistance shall establish a COVID-19 financial welfare program for undergraduate college students over the age of 18 attending public and private institutions of higher education in the commonwealth. The program shall provide eligible students $500 to ensure a stable financial situation during the COVID-19 emergency.

(b) The department of transitional assistance shall promulgate regulations to implement this section.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of housing and community development shall establish a COVID-19 housing program to ensure secure housing for all college students regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation during the COVID-19 emergency. The program shall provide rent assistance and rent forgiveness for undergraduate college students over the age of 18 attending public and private of higher education institutions in the commonwealth.

(b) The department of housing and community development shall promulgate regulations to implement this section.

SECTION 3. The executive office of public safety and security shall establish a task force to defend and protect Asian-American college students from hate crimes and discrimination. The task for shall work with municipal, college and university police departments to develop best practices for preventing hate crimes against Asian-American college students.

SECTION 4. Sections 1 to 3, inclusive, shall expire 180 days after the governor’s March 10, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency has been lifted.