Amendment #16 to H57

Establishing a 12-month residency requirement

Representatives Frost of Auburn, Jones of North Reading, Ferguson of Holden and Smola of Warren move to amend the bill in section 6 by inserting after the word “commonwealth”, in line 106, the following:-

“who have established Massachusetts residency for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the date of application,”

And further amend the bill in said section 6 by striking paragraph (5) and inserting in place thereof the following:-

“(5) require each applicant for benefits under the emergency housing assistance program to establish Massachusetts residency for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the date of application. Acceptable proof of continuous legal residency in Massachusetts must consist of one of the following forms of documentation, issued at least 12 months before the application date including but not limited to: (i) filed Massachusetts state income tax return for the most recent tax year; (ii) valid REAL ID-compliant Massachusetts driver’s license issued at least one year prior; (iii) utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement in the applicant's name, dated at least one year prior; Or (iv) pay stubs showing continuous Massachusetts employment for at least 12 months. An applicant shall be required to show an intent to remain in Massachusetts, which may be shown through sources of verification accepted by the executive office. The executive office shall promulgate regulations on sources of acceptable verification which shall include, but shall not be limited to, documentation showing a person receives MassHealth, documentation showing a person receives public benefits in Massachusetts, a bill or other insurance documentation with an address, email, letter or statement from a licensed health care worker on office letterhead or office email stating that the person lives in Massachusetts or a Massachusetts photo identification. For purposes of this section, a residency requirement shall not be required for victims of domestic violence; or a person whose living situation has been affected by a fire or other natural disaster that occurred in Massachusetts.”

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #16 to H57

Establishing a 12-month residency requirement