SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1835        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 879

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Adam Gomez

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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 to establish mobile showers for homeless populations.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1835        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 879

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act to establish mobile showers for homeless populations.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 23B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting the following section:

Section XXXX. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a grant program known as the Mobile Shower Program that shall be administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development. The purpose of this program shall be to assist municipalities and nonprofits to build and maintain mobile showers.  Mobile showers are to be defined as public showers that are transportable, either by towing or by loading onto a truck/vehicle, with the primary purpose of assisting homeless populations with sanitation services. They are to be used primarily for the purpose of assisting homeless populations, including youth. The placement of mobile showers will be prioritized to serve underserved communities across the commonwealth. 

(b) There shall be credited to the fund all amounts that are transferred, or authorized to be transferred thereto, or directed to be deposited therein, and all amounts received as gifts, grants, or contributions for the purposes of the fund. Any money remaining in the fund at the close of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund, but shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years.