Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless bill priorities, 2023-2024

	A	B	C	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M
1		Shareable link to this chart: https://tinyurl.com/mchbills2324	Link to bill priority handout (PDF): https://mahomeless.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-2024-bill-priorities-2-7-23.pdf	Link to overall bill priority endorsement form for organizations: https://tinyurl.com/mch2324					Actively updating this column!
2	2023-2024 Session Bill Name	Bill Number	Link to Bill Language and History	Lead Sponsor(s)	Preliminary Bill Summary	Link to Bill Fact Sheet	Initial Committee Assignment	Bill Hearing Status	Bill Status Updates	Notes	Related Bill Number(s) from Last Session, If Applicable	Link to Related 2021-2022 Bill Language and History, If Applicable

3	An Act providing upstream homelessness prevention assistance to families, youth, and adults	House Bill 1312	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1312	Representative Marjorie Decker	This bill would put the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) homelessness prevention program into state statute and ensure that benefits are available to families and individuals earlier in a housing or utility crisis ("upstream."). The bill also seeks to streamline access, improve cross-agency collaboration, and allow households to access up to twelve months of assistance, without arbitrary dollar caps. In addition, the bill would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to publicly post reports on RAFT to provide increased transparency on how the program is operating and greater understanding of who the program is serving and not serving.	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/legislative-priorities-2023-2024/	Joint Committee on Housing	Heard on June 26, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Awaiting action by the Joint Committee on Housing; was under an extension order filed by the committee in February 2024 (https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4340); an updated extension order adopted by the House on April 16, 2024 would extend the deadline until July 10, 2024; see https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4553	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/raft2324	House Bill 1385	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1385
4	An Act providing upstream homelessness prevention assistance to families, youth, and adults	Senate Bill 856	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S856	Senator Brendan Crighton	This bill would put the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) homelessness prevention program into state statute and ensure that benefits are available to families and individuals earlier in a housing or utility crisis ("upstream."). The bill also seeks to streamline access, improve cross-agency collaboration, and allow households to access up to twelve months of assistance, without arbitrary dollar caps. In addition, the bill would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to publicly post reports on RAFT to provide increased transparency on how the program is operating and greater understanding of who the program is serving and not serving.	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/legislative-priorities-2023-2024/	Joint Committee on Housing	Heard on June 26, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Awaiting action by the Joint Committee on Housing; was under an extension order filed by the committee in February 2024 (https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4340); an updated extension order adopted by the House on April 16, 2024 would extend the deadline until July 10, 2024; see https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4553	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/raft2324	House Bill 1385	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1385
5	An Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness	House Bill 3388	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H3388	Representative Jim O’Day	The Mass ID access bill (a.k.a. Everyone Needs ID bill) would ease access to Mass IDs for people experiencing homelessness by waiving the $25 fee for IDs and easing the verification requirements for youth and adults who are unhoused and seeking IDs. The bill would apply to standard Mass IDs, not REAL ID Act-compliant Mass IDs, for which residents must provide additional verifications that meet federal standards. Versions of this bill were passed unanimously by the Senate during the past three sessions.	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/legislative-priorities-2023-2024/	Joint Committee on Transportation	Heard on June 13, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Transportation in February 2024; referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on April 1, 2024	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/massid2324	House Bill 3515	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H3515
6	An Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness	House Bill 3360	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H3360	Representative Kay Khan	The Mass ID access bill (a.k.a. Everyone Needs ID bill) would ease access to Mass IDs for people experiencing homelessness by waiving the $25 fee for IDs and easing the verification requirements for youth and adults who are unhoused and seeking IDs. The bill would apply to standard Mass IDs, not REAL ID Act-compliant Mass IDs, for which residents must provide additional verifications that meet federal standards. Versions of this bill were passed unanimously by the Senate during the past three sessions.	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/legislative-priorities-2023-2024/	Joint Committee on Transportation	Heard on June 13, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	The Joint Committee on Transportation attached the bill to House Bill 3388, which was reported out favorably in February 2024; House Bill 3388 was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/massid2324	House Bill 3515	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H3515
7	An Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness	Senate Bill 2251	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2251	Senator Robyn Kennedy	The Mass ID access bill (a.k.a. Everyone Needs ID bill) would ease access to Mass IDs for people experiencing homelessness by waiving the $25 fee for IDs and easing the verification requirements for youth and adults who are unhoused and seeking IDs. The bill would apply to standard Mass IDs, not REAL ID Act-compliant Mass IDs, for which residents must provide additional verifications that meet federal standards. Versions of this bill were passed unanimously by the Senate during the past three sessions.	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/legislative-priorities-2023-2024/	Joint Committee on Transportation	Heard on June 13, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Unanimously passed by the Senate on July 27, 2023; referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on July 31, 2023	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/massid2324	Senate Bill 2612 = redrafted version of Senate Bill 2276	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2612
8	An Act improving emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness	House Bill 145	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H145	Representative Marjorie Decker	This omnibus legislation would address access and administrative issues for families and children seeking to access or retain Emergency Assistance shelter and HomeBASE rehousing benefits. It would allow families that appear to be imminently at risk of homelessness to gain admission into EA shelter. It also would prohibit the Department of Housing and Community Development from turning families away due to lack of documentation and mandate that DHCD look in existing state benefits databases to obtain requested documentation instead of delaying applications by requiring families to provide such documentation directly. The bill also would establish an independent ombudsperson unit located in the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (or the anticipated successor Executive Office of Housing) to mediate between EA and HomeBASE participants/applicants and DHCD.	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/legislative-priorities-2023-2024/	Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities	Heard on June 13, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities attached the bill to Senate Bill 86, which was reported out favorably in February 2024; Senate Bill 86 was referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/ea2324	House Bill 202	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H202
9	An Act improving emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness	Senate Bill 86	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S86	Senator Adam Gomez	This omnibus legislation would address access and administrative issues for families and children seeking to access or retain Emergency Assistance shelter and HomeBASE rehousing benefits. It would allow families that appear to be imminently at risk of homelessness to gain admission into EA shelter. It also would prohibit the Department of Housing and Community Development from turning families away due to lack of documentation and mandate that DHCD look in existing state benefits databases to obtain requested documentation instead of delaying applications by requiring families to provide such documentation directly. The bill also would establish an independent ombudsperson unit located in the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (or the anticipated successor Executive Office of Housing) to mediate between EA and HomeBASE participants/applicants and DHCD.	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/legislative-priorities-2023-2024/	Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities	Heard on June 13, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities in February 2024, with House Bill 145 attached; referred to the Senate Committe on Ways and Means on March 18, 2024	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/ea2324	Senate Bill 111	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S111
10	An Act establishing a bill of rights for individuals experiencing homelessness	House Bill 211	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H211	Representative Smitty Pignatelli and Representative Frank Moran	This bill would recognize and affirm various rights of people experiencing homelessness, such as the right to move freely in public spaces, the right to confidentiality of records, the right to privacy of property, the right to register to vote and to vote, etc., and would provide additional civil rights protections for people experiencing homelessness. The bill also would affirm the right to rest, eat, pray, and be in public spaces by amending the Commonwealth's public spaces laws (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 45), amend the Commonwealth's voting laws to affirm the right to vote and register to vote without a permanent address (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 50, Section 1), amend the Commonwealth's anti-discrimination laws to include housing status (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 151B), and repeal archaic sections of Massachusetts General Laws regarding so-called "tramps"," vagrants", and "vagabonds" (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 272, Sections 63-69). The bill would give the Superior Court jurisdiction to enforce the rights included in the legislation: "(e) It shall be an affirmative defense to a civil claim or criminal charge related to use of public spaces that a person experiencing homelessness was exercising any right set forth in this section. (f) The superior court shall have jurisdiction in equity to enforce any right set forth in this section and award damages in connection with any violation thereof."	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/current-bill-and-budget-priorities/	Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities	Heard on June 13, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities in February 2024 with Senate Bill 1112 attached; referred to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing on February 15, 2024; sent to study in March 2024.	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/rights2324	House Bill 264	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H264
11	An Act providing a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness	Senate Bill 1112	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1112	Senator Becca Rausch	This bill would recognize and affirm various rights of people experiencing homelessness, such as the right to move freely in public spaces, the right to confidentiality of records, the right to privacy of property, the right to register to vote and to vote, etc., and would provide additional civil rights protections for people experiencing homelessness. The bill also would affirm the right to rest, eat, pray, and be in public spaces by amending the Commonwealth's public spaces laws (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 45), amend the Commonwealth's voting laws to affirm the right to vote and register to vote without a permanent address (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 50, Section 1), amend the Commonwealth's anti-discrimination laws to include housing status (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 151B), and repeal archaic sections of Massachusetts General Laws regarding so-called "tramps", "vagrants", and "vagabonds" (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 272, Sections 63-69). The bill would give the Superior Court jurisdiction to enforce the rights included in the legislation: "(e) It shall be an affirmative defense to a civil claim or criminal charge related to use of public spaces that a person experiencing homelessness was exercising any right set forth in this section. (f) The superior court shall have jurisdiction in equity to enforce any right set forth in this section and award damages in connection with any violation thereof."	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/current-bill-and-budget-priorities/	Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities	Heard on June 13, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities attached the bill to House Bill 211, which was reported out favorably in February 2024; House Bill 211 was referred to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing; sent to study in March 2024.	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/rights2324 Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/legislative-priorities-2023-2024/	Senate Bill 142	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S142
12	An Act promoting housing stability for families by strengthening the HomeBASE program	House Bill 1297	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1297	Representative Christine Barber	This bill would put the HomeBASE program into state statute, direct the the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC, formerly the Department of Housing and Community Development) to provide renewals of HomeBASE rental assistance to families and children who otherwise would be facing a return to homelessness, and increase the maximum benefit levels.	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/current-bill-and-budget-priorities/	Joint Committee on Housing	Heard on June 26, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Awaiting action by the Joint Committee on Housing; was under an extension order filed by the committee in February 2024 (https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4340); an updated extension order adopted by the House on April 16, 2024 would extend the deadline until July 10, 2024; see https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4553	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/homebase2324	House Bill 1372	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1372
13	An Act promoting housing stability for families by strengthening the HomeBASE program	Senate Bill 890	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S890	Senator Liz Miranda	This bill would put the HomeBASE program into state statute, direct the the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC, formerly the Department of Housing and Community Development) to provide renewals of HomeBASE rental assistance to families and children who otherwise would be facing a return to homelessness, and increase the maximum benefit levels.	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/current-bill-and-budget-priorities/	Joint Committee on Housing	Heard on June 26, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Awaiting action by the Joint Committee on Housing; was under an extension order filed by the committee in February 2024 (https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4340); an updated extension order adopted by the House on April 16, 2024 would extend the deadline until July 10, 2024; see https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4553	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/homebase2324	House Bill 1372	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1372
14	An Act relative to assisting elders and people with disabilities in the Commonwealth	House Bill 205	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H205	Representative Jim O’Day	This bill would put the 2018 removal of the EAEDC homelessness penalty into statute, increase monthly grant levels, and provide an annual cost of living adjustment for older adults and people with disabilities who are participating in the Department of Transitional Assistance’s Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children program.	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/current-bill-and-budget-priorities/	Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities	Heard on September 12, 2023	The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities attached the bill to Senate Bill 371, which was reported out favorably in February 2024; Senate Bill 371 was referred to the Senate Committe on Ways and Means	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/eaedc2324	House Bill 750	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H750
15	An Act relative to assisting elders and people with disabilities in the Commonwealth	Senate Bill 371	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S371	Senator Patricia Jehlen	This bill would put the 2018 removal of the EAEDC homelessness penalty into statute, increase monthly grant levels, and provide an annual cost of living adjustment for older adults and people with disabilities who are participating in the Department of Transitional Assistance’s Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children program.	Fact sheet available here: https://mahomeless.org/current-bill-and-budget-priorities/	Joint Committee on Elder Affairs	Heard on September 12, 2023	Reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities in February 2024, with House Bill 205 attached; referred to the Senate Committe on Ways and Means on March 18, 2024	Link to organizational endorsement form: https://tinyurl.com/eaedc2324	Senate Bill 411	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S411
16	An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants	House Bill 2103	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H2103	Representative Dave Rogers and Representative Sam Montaño	This bill would remove the statewide ban on rent control and establish a local option for cities and towns to regulate rents. If passed, cities and towns opting in would be able to limit annual rent increases and limit no fault evictions for certain dwelling units. The bill would limit annual rent increases for covered dwelling units to the change in the Consumer Price Index or 5%, whichever is lower.	https://www.homesforallmass.org/content/rent-control-bill-2023-fact-sheet-1p.pdf	Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government	Heard by the Joint Committee on Housing on November 14, 2023	Discharged from the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government to the Joint Committee on Housing in May 2023; awaiting action by the Joint Committee on Housing; under an extension order filed by the committee in February 2024, a decision is expected on/before April 12, 2024; see https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4340
17	An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants	Senate Bill 1299	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1299	Senator Patricia Jehlen	This bill would remove the statewide ban on rent control and establish a local option for cities and towns to regulate rents. If passed, cities and towns opting in would be able to limit annual rent increases and limit no fault evictions for certain dwelling units. The bill would limit annual rent increases for covered dwelling units to the change in the Consumer Price Index or 5%, whichever is lower.	https://www.homesforallmass.org/content/rent-control-bill-2023-fact-sheet-1p.pdf	Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government	Heard by the Joint Committee on Housing on November 14, 2023	Discharged from the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government to the Joint Committee on Housing in May 2023; awaiting action by the Joint Committee on Housing; included in a pending extension order filed by the committee in February 2024, a decision is expected on/before April 12, 2024; see https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4377
18	An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty	House Bill 144	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H144	Representative Marjorie Decker	This bill seeks to increase Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) cash assistance benefits 25% each year to bring benefits up to the deep poverty level (50% of the official poverty level). Once the deep poverty level is reached, benefits would continue to be adjusted annually to keep up with inflation.	Lift Our Kids bill fact sheet	Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities	Heard on September 12, 2023	Reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities in February 2024; referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means	See campaign information: https://www.liftourkidsma.org/	House Bill 199	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H199
19	An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty	Senate Bill 75	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S75	Senator Sal DiDomenico	This bill seeks to increase Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) cash assistance benefits 25% each year to bring benefits up to the deep poverty level (50% of the official poverty level). Once the deep poverty level is reached, benefits would continue to be adjusted annually to keep up with inflation.	Lift Our Kids bill fact sheet	Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities	Heard on September 12, 2023	Reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities in February 2024; referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means	See campaign information: https://www.liftourkidsma.org/	Senate Bill 96	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S96
20	An Act promoting access to counsel and housing stability in Massachusetts	House Bill 4360 = redrafted version of House Bill 1731	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4360	Representative Dave Rogers and Representative Michael Day	This bill seeks to expand access to counsel and level the playing field by increasing the number of low-income tenants, occupants, and certain owner-occupants with representation in court during eviction proceedings.	Fact sheet available here: https://www.massrtc.org/fact-sheets.html	Joint Committee on the Judiciary	Heard on May 9, 2023. Watch the recording of the hearing here.	Reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary in February 2024; referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means	See campaign information: https://www.massrtc.org/	House Bill 1436	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1436
21	An Act promoting access to counsel and housing stability in Massachusetts	Senate Bill 864	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S864	Senator Sal DiDomenico	This bill seeks to expand access to counsel and level the playing field by increasing the number of low-income tenants, occupants, and certain owner-occupants with representation in court during eviction proceedings.	Fact sheet available here: https://www.massrtc.org/fact-sheets.html	Joint Committee on Housing	Heard on September 27, 2023.	Awaiting action by the Joint Committee on Housing; was under an extension order filed by the committee in February 2024 (https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4340); an updated extension order adopted by the House on April 16, 2024 would extend the deadline until July 10, 2024; see https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4553	See campaign information: https://www.massrtc.org/	Senate Bill 874	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S874
22	An Act codifying the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program	House Bill 1351	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1351	Representative Adrian Madaro	This bill would put the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program into state statute, and reduce tenant share of rent from 40% to 30% of income.		Joint Committee on Housing	Heard on September 27, 2023.	Reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Housing in March 2024; referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means		House Bill 1428	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1428
23	An Act relative to the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program	Senate Bill 888	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S888	Senator Joan Lovely	This bill would put the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program into state statute, and reduce tenant share of rent from 40% to 30% of income.		Joint Committee on Housing	Heard on September 27, 2023.	Reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Housing in March 2024; referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means		Senate Bill 898	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S898
24	An Act relative to summary process and rental assistance	House Bill 1682	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1682	Representative Sam Montaño	This bill would put into statute the two-tier process for residential summary process (eviction) cases and make so-called Chapter 257 eviction protections permanent. The bill would ensure that cases cannot be defaulted or dismissed because a party missed a first-tier event, where the case status is determined, and that all parties receive written notice of the date of any second-tier events/trials. Please note that we are asking legislators to support the bill and to amend language in the final line of the bill to require stays of execution on judgments for possession in cases where tenants have pending applications for rental assistance through programs such as Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT.)		Joint Committee on the Judiciary	Heard on May 9, 2023. Watch the recording of the hearing here.	Sent to study by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary in February 2024
25	An Act relative to summary process and rental assistance	Senate Bill 1048	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1048	Senator Liz Miranda	This bill would put into statute the two-tier process for residential summary process (eviction) cases and make so-called Chapter 257 eviction protections permanent. The bill would ensure that cases cannot be defaulted or dismissed because a party missed a first-tier event, where the case status is determined, and that all parties receive written notice of the date of any second-tier events/trials. Please note that we are asking legislators to support the bill and to amend language in the final line of the bill so as to require stays of execution on judgments for possession in cases where tenants have pending applications for rental assistance through programs such as Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT.)		Joint Committee on the Judiciary	Heard on May 9, 2023. Watch the recording of the hearing here.	Sent to study by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary in February 2024; see https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2612
26	An Act to eliminate asset limits for homeless shelters	House Bill 1301	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1301/Bills	Representative Simon Cataldo	This bill seeks to amend the Emergency Assistance (EA) family shelter program statute to remove the asset limit for families applying for and/or participating in EA. While we believe that language included in an outside section of the FY22 budget already directed the previous Department of Housing and Community Development (now the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities) to remove the EA asset limit, this change has not been implemented to date.		Joint Committee on Housing	Heard on June 26, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Housing in March 2024; referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means
27	An Act to eliminate asset limits for homeless shelters	Senate Bill 868	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S868	Senator Jamie Eldridge	This bill seeks to amend the Emergency Assistance (EA) family shelter program statute to remove the asset limit for families applying for and/or participating in EA. While we believe that language included in an outside section of the FY22 budget already directed the previous Department of Housing and Community Development (now the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities) to remove the EA asset limit, this change has not been implemented to date.		Joint Committee on Housing	Heard on June 26, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Housing in March 2024; referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means
28	An Act to create and implement a Massachusetts Flexible Supportive Housing Subsidy Pool Program	House Bill 1354	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1354	Representative Joan Meschino	Description coming soon!		Joint Committee on Housing	Heard on June 26, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Housing in March 2024; referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means
29	An Act to create and implement a Massachusetts Flexible Supportive Housing Subsidy Pool Program	Senate Bill 855	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S855	Senator Brendan Crighton	Description coming soon!		Joint Committee on Housing	Heard on June 26, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Awaiting action by the Joint Committee on Housing; was under an extension order filed by the committee in February 2024 (https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4377); an updated extension order adopted by the House on April 16, 2024 would extend the deadline until July 10, 2024; see https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4553
30	An Act establishing a Massachusetts foreclosure prevention program	House Bill 942	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H942	Representative Christine Barber and Representative Peter Capano	Description coming soon!	https://www.homesforallmass.org/content/foreclosure-prevention-program-1p-2023.pdf	Joint Committee on Financial Services	Heard on June 20, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Sent to study by the Joint Committee on Financial Services in February 2024
31	An Act establishing a Massachusetts foreclosure prevention program	Senate Bill 653	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S653	Senator Adam Gomez	Description coming soon!	https://www.homesforallmass.org/content/foreclosure-prevention-program-1p-2023.pdf	Joint Committee on Financial Services	Heard on June 20, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Sent to study by the Joint Committee on Financial Services in February 2024; see https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2636
32	An Act to end housing discrimination in the commonwealth	House Bill 359	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H359	Representative Adrian Madaro and Representative Carlos González	This bill includes provisions that would require the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General and all fair housing enforcement agencies to make referrals to the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespeople (BRREBS) to seek license suspension for brokers who engage in discriminatory practices and require BRREBS to temporarily suspend those brokers’ licenses; raise penalties for real estate brokers who violate fair housing laws more than once; require that one member of the BRREBS be an expert in fair housing and civil rights or a tenant with a housing voucher representing a tenant organization; and establish a commission to recommend reforms to legislation, regulation, and licensure practices to end housing discrimination in Massachusetts.		Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure	Heard on June 21, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure redrafted the bill in January 2024 and reported it out favorably as Senate Bill 2566, which then was referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.	See campaign information: http://bit.ly/End-MA-housing-discrimination	House Bill 428	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H428
33	An Act to end housing discrimination in the commonwealth	Senate Bill 2566 = redrafted version of Senate Bill 180	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2566	Senator Adam Gomez	This bill includes provisions that would require the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General and all fair housing enforcement agencies to make referrals to the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespeople (BRREBS) to seek license suspension for brokers who engage in discriminatory practices and require BRREBS to temporarily suspend those brokers’ licenses; raise penalties for real estate brokers who violate fair housing laws more than once; require that one member of the BRREBS be an expert in fair housing and civil rights or a tenant with a housing voucher representing a tenant organization; and establish a commission to recommend reforms to legislation, regulation, and licensure practices to end housing discrimination in Massachusetts.		Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure	Heard on June 21, 2023. See the hearing page for more details.	Redrafted version was reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure in January 2024; referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means	See campaign information: http://bit.ly/End-MA-housing-discrimination	Senate Bill 208	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S208
34	An Act allowing certain minors to consent to shelter and supportive services	House Bill 4394 = redrafted version of House Bill 192	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4394	Representative Kay Khan	This bill would allow unaccompanied youth ages 15-17 who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to consent to receive shelter and certain wraparound services on their own.	https://massappleseed.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Consent-Bill-Fact-Sheet-Final-V2.pdf	Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities	Hearing scheduled for October 16, 2023	Redrafted version was reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities in February 2024; referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means
35	An Act allowing certain minors to consent to shelter and receive supportive services	Senate Bill 94	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S94	Senator Adam Gomez	This bill would allow unaccompanied youth ages 15-17 who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to consent to receive shelter and certain wraparound services on their own.	https://massappleseed.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Consent-Bill-Fact-Sheet-Final-V2.pdf	Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities	Hearing scheduled for October 16, 2023	The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities redrafted the bill in February 2024 and reported it out favorably as House Bill 4394, which then was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
36	An Act to create the executive office of housing and livable communities and to rename the Executive Office of Economic Development	House Bill 43	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H43	Governor Maura Healey	This bill would create the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), elevating housing issues to the secretariat level, and rename the current Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) as the Executive Office of Economic Development. It would move the work of the current Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) from EOHED to EOHLC.		Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight	Heard on March 27, 2023. Watch the recording of the hearing here.	Signed into law in May 2023; became Chapter 7 of the Acts of 2023; see https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2023/Chapter7	This bill will take a different path than most bills, as it is a government reorganization bill (also known as an "Article 87 bill", named after Article 87 of the Massachusetts Constitution.) Such bills have to be scheduled for a hearing within 30 days of filing and cannot be amended by the Legislature. Link to MCH's testimony in support of the bill: https://mahomeless.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/House-Bill-43-testimony-from-Massachusetts-Coalition-for-the-Homeless-3-27-23.pdf	n/a	n/a
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