HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3210        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Marjorie C. Decker

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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 supporting the development of children experiencing homelessness.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3210        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act supporting the development of children 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. Chapter 15D of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 19. (a) A family placed in temporary emergency assistance shelter shall be eligible for the department of early education and care’s homeless child care assistance vouchers when the family first arrives at the shelter and at any time the family chooses while residing in the shelter regardless of whether they meet work requirements as determined by the department of transitional assistance.

(b) A family who meets the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act definition of homeless shall be eligible for the department of early education and care’s homeless child care assistance vouchers, regardless of whether they meet work requirements as determined by the department of transitional assistance.

(c) A letter verifying shelter residency will qualify a family for a full-time childcare referral from the department of transitional assistance.

(d) Upon (i) a family’s entry to a temporary emergency assistance shelter, domestic violence shelter, substance abuse and recovery shelter or non-emergency assistance shelter, or (ii) upon family’s receipt of a letter from the department of early education and care or its designees verifying that a family meets the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act definition of homeless, any of the family’s children ages zero to three years shall be considered as qualifying for early intervention services according to department of public health operational standards. This qualification shall ensure eligibility for services regardless of the presence or absence of other relevant risk factors, and qualification shall begin on the date of their entry into shelter or receipt of a McKinney-Vento verification letter and continue for one year after their exit from shelter or receipt of McKinney-Vento verification letter or until the day before the child’s third birthday, whichever occurs first. Early intervention services shall be rendered once an evaluation and determination of need has been established by an early intervention professional; provided that said evaluation shall occur within thirty (30) days of entry into shelter or receipt of a McKinney-Vento verification letter.

SECTION 2. The department shall adopt regulations or policies and remove procedural barriers for the administration of this act within 90 days of the effective date of this act.