HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1085        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

James J. O'Day and Sean Garballey

_________________

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 provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1085        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

An Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness.

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 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following 2 paragraphs:-

The regulations establishing criteria for identification cards 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 is: (i) from an entity that provides housing services or youth services in the commonwealth, including, but not limited to, homeless service providers; or (ii) evidence of services that the person received from a department, division, office or agency of the executive office of health and human services or executive office of housing and livable communities. 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 federal Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, 42 USC 11302, 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.