If approved, this bill will streamline the process by which financial assistance is rendered to families facing the costs associated with burial services. The goal is to ensure that families can access this assistance quickly and without unnecessary delays. The measure emphasizes the importance of timely decisions regarding applications submitted for burial assistance, which is critical for grieving families making arrangements under distress.
Summary
House Bill 2374, presented by Representatives David Biele and Joanne M. Comerford, seeks to amend existing laws concerning burial assistance in Massachusetts. The bill proposes to modify Section 9 of Chapter 117A of the General Laws by allowing funeral-related payments to be issued for specific services. Notably, the amendment will introduce a new provision clarifying that certain cash advance items for services not directly provided by the funeral establishment will be excluded from the burial assistance maximum allowance of $3,500.
Contention
Despite its supportive intention, House Bill 2374 may face challenges related to budget impacts or the administrative burden of the Department of Public Welfare in processing these applications more swiftly. Discussions may arise concerning the balance between providing adequate support for low-income residents and ensuring that the state's resources are effectively managed. Stakeholders could argue over the implications of excluding certain cash advance items, potentially affecting the financial assistance landscape for funeral services.