HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3903        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

_________________

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 enhancing prioritization for the emergency assistance program.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3903        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

_______________

An Act enhancing prioritization for the emergency assistance program.

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.  The first paragraph of section 30 of chapter 23B of the General Laws, as amended by section 120 of chapter 7 of the acts of 2023, is hereby further amended by adding the following new paragraphs:-  

Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the emergency housing assistance program established herein shall be available only to residents of the commonwealth who have resided within the commonwealth for no less than three months, provided however that this provision shall not apply to a veteran or members of their immediate family, a victim of domestic violence or a person whose living situation has been affected by a fire or other natural disaster that occurred in Massachusetts.

The department shall require applicants to provide proof of residency for a period of no less than three months. The department may require applicants to submit documentation including, but not limited to, federal and state issued identification documents, mail, financial statements, and bills to meet the requirements of this section. This section shall apply to applications submitted for the emergency housing assistance program on or after the effective date of this act.