HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3574        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Antonio F. D. Cabral

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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 establishing basic needs assistance for residents.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3574        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

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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 establishing basic needs assistance for residents.

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

Chapter 18 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 39 the following new section:-

Section 40. The department of transitional assistance shall, subject to appropriation, provide the following basic needs benefits to persons residing in the Commonwealth who are lawfully admitted for permanent residence or are otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law; nutritional assistance benefits to persons who meet the eligibility requirements of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program except for the program requirements related to immigration status or citizenship. The basic needs benefits authorized under this section shall be provided at the same level and subject to the same requirements as benefits provided under Chapter 118 or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, with the exception of the immigration status or citizenship requirements of those programs.