HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1670        FILED ON: 2/10/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 489

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jessica Ann Giannino

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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 COVID-19 relief for college students.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1670        FILED ON: 2/10/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 489

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act relative to COVID-19 relief for college students.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purposes, which are to establish forthwith financial welfare, housing security and discrimination protection for college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

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. (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 COVID-19 emergency declaration has been lifted.