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FILED ON: 3/7/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4466
House bill No. 4460, as amended by the House and passed to be engrossed. March 6, 2024.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2024 to provide for supplementing certain
existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purposes, which are
to make supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2024 and to make certain changes in law,
each of which is immediately necessary to carry out those appropriations or to accomplish other
important public purposes, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for
the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. To provide for supplementing certain items in the general
2appropriation act and other appropriation acts for fiscal year 2024, the sums set forth in section 2
3are hereby appropriated from the General Fund or the Transitional Escrow Fund established in
4section 16 of chapter 76 of the acts of 2021, as amended by section 4 of chapter 98 of the acts of
52022, unless specifically designated otherwise in this act or in those appropriation acts, for the
6several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in this act or in those appropriation acts
7and subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds for the fiscal year ending
8June 30, 2024. These sums shall be in addition to any amounts previously appropriated and made
9available for the purposes of those items. Except as otherwise provided, these sums shall be
10made available through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. 2 of 27
11 SECTION 2.
12 OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER
13 Comptroller
14 1599-3384Settlements and Judgments……………………………………$15,000,000
15 SECTION 2A. To provide for certain unanticipated obligations of the commonwealth, to
16provide for an alteration of purpose for current appropriations and to meet certain requirements
17of law, the sums set forth in this section are hereby appropriated from the General Fund or the
18Transitional Escrow Fund established in section 16 of chapter 76 of the acts of 2021, as amended
19by section 4 of chapter 98 of the acts of 2022, unless specifically designated otherwise in this
20section, for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in this section and subject
21to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
22Except as otherwise provided, these sums shall be made available through the fiscal year ending
23June 30, 2025.
24 1599-1213For a reserve to support the commonwealth’s response to the ongoing
25humanitarian crisis and influx of families seeking shelter; provided, that funds shall be expended
26for the emergency housing assistance program to support shelters and services pursuant to
27section 30 of chapter 23B of the General Laws; provided further, that not less than $10,000,000
28shall be expended on an approved training program, as defined by section 30 of chapter 23B of
29the General Laws, as inserted by section 3, to provide skills and resources for individuals and
30families in the emergency housing assistance program or in overflow emergency shelter sites;
31provided further, that not less than $3,000,000 shall be expended for family welcome centers;
32provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for supplemental staffing at 3 of 27
33emergency housing assistance program shelters; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000
34shall be expended for resettlement agencies; provided further, that funds shall be expended for
35early education programs providing comprehensive services to homeless children and families
36residing in the emergency housing assistance program, including, but not limited to, services for:
37(i) early education; (ii) health; (iii) mental health; (iv) nutrition; and (v) family education and
38resources; provided further, that said funds shall include, but shall not be limited to, costs
39associated with translation services, transportation and coordination of services; provided further,
40that the secretary of administration and finance shall notify the house and senate committees on
41ways and means not less than 14 days prior to any transfer of funds from this item; and provided
42further, that any reporting requirements for this item shall be in addition to the reporting required
43pursuant to: (i) item 1599-0514 of section 2A of chapter 77 of the acts of 2023; and (ii) sections
4414 and 16 of this act…...……………………………………………………………..$245,000,000
45 Transitional Escrow Fund……100%
46 SECTION 3. Section 30 of chapter 23B of the General Laws, as amended by sections 120
47and 121 of chapter 7 of the acts of 2023, is hereby further amended by adding the following
48paragraph:-
49 (G)(1) For the purposes of this paragraph, the following words shall, unless the context
50clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
51 “Approved training program”, an existing training program the secretary of
52administration and finance, in consultation with the secretary of labor and workforce
53development, deems sufficient to provide skills and resources to individuals in the emergency
54housing assistance program including, but not limited to: (i) workforce and career technical skills 4 of 27
55training, pursuant to item 1599-2037 of section 2A of chapter 102 of the acts of 2021; (ii) high-
56demand workforce training programs, pursuant to item 1599-2041 of said section 2A of said
57chapter 102; (iii) the manufacturing pilot program, established pursuant to item 7002-0020 of
58section 2 of chapter 28 of the acts of 2023; (iv) the Learn to Earn Initiative program, established
59pursuant to item 7002-1080 of said section 2 of said chapter 28; (v) 1199 SEIU training, pursuant
60to item 7003-0608 of said section 2 of said chapter 28; (vi) Massachusetts AFL-CIO Workforce
61Development Programs, Inc., pursuant to item 7003-1207 of said section 2 of said chapter 28;
62and (vii) shelter workforce development initiative, pursuant to item 7004-0109 of said section 2
63of said chapter 28; provided, that the approved training program shall be available to individuals
64in non-state-funded overflow emergency shelter sites and state-funded overflow emergency
65shelter sites.
66 “Authorized training program”, as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (dd) of section
676 of chapter 62.
68 “Non-state-funded overflow emergency shelter site”, any overflow site that is funded
69through a nonprofit or other non-state entity for eligible families that have been waitlisted for
70placement at an emergency shelter as a result of the emergency housing assistance program
71reaching capacity at 7,500 families, as identified in the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter
72declaration issued by the secretary of housing and livable communities on October 31, 2023, and
73the extension of the declaration dated February 28, 2024, and any subsequent extensions,
74pursuant to 760 CMR 67.10, as inserted by emergency regulations issued by the executive office
75of housing and livable communities on October 31, 2023, and accompanying guidance issued
76pursuant to said declaration and 760 CMR 67.10. 5 of 27
77 “State-funded overflow emergency shelter site”, any state-funded overflow site,
78including, but not limited to, any site funded under item 1599-0514 of section 2 of chapter 77 of
79the acts of 2023, for eligible families that have been waitlisted for placement at an emergency
80shelter as a result of the emergency housing assistance program reaching capacity at 7,500
81families, as identified in the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter declaration issued by the
82secretary of housing and livable communities on October 31, 2023, and the extension of the
83declaration dated February 28, 2024, and any subsequent extensions, pursuant to 760 CMR
8467.10, as inserted by emergency regulations issued by the executive office of housing and livable
85communities on October 31, 2023, and accompanying guidance issued pursuant to said
86declaration and 760 CMR 67.10.
87 (2) A family with children or a pregnant woman with no other children that receives
88benefits through the emergency housing assistance program as of April 1, 2024, or thereafter,
89shall remain eligible for the program for not more than 9 consecutive months; provided,
90however, that such families shall be eligible for the program for not more than 12 consecutive
91months if eligible individuals in the family are: (i) employed; or (ii) participating in an: (A)
92authorized training program; or (B) approved training program; provided, that each family and
93pregnant woman shall receive notice not less than 90 days prior to the termination of benefits
94pursuant to this section; provided further, that not more 150 families shall be terminated from the
95emergency housing assistance program in any week; and provided further, that the executive
96office shall promulgate regulations or guidance for eligibility which shall: (i) establish
97procedures for the termination of benefits pursuant to this paragraph; and (ii) allow a family with
98children or a pregnant woman with no other children to reapply for the emergency housing
99assistance program; provided further, that eligibility determinations when reapplying for the 6 of 27
100program shall be consistent with the guidance issued by the secretary of housing and livable
101communities on October 31, 2023, entitled “Emergency Assistance Program Guidance on
102Waitlist and Prioritization Procedures pursuant to Capacity Declaration dated October 31, 2023”
103pursuant to 760 CMR 67.10, as inserted by emergency regulations issued by the executive office
104of housing and livable communities on October 31, 2023.
105 (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), a family or a pregnant woman with no other children
106that receives benefits through the emergency housing assistance program as of April 1, 2024, or
107thereafter, shall remain eligible for the program for not more than 12 consecutive months if
108eligible for, but unable to participate in, an authorized training program or an approved training
109program or unable to obtain employment due to factors including, but not limited to: (i)
110pregnancy; (ii) a diagnosed disability or documented medical condition; (iii) being a single
111parent caring for a disabled child or family member; (iv) being a single parent caring for a child
112or children with no childcare; (v) meeting the criteria to be considered a veteran, as defined in
113clause Forty-third of section 7 of chapter 4; or (vi) being at imminent risk of harm due to
114domestic violence; or (vii) satisfying any additional criteria the secretary of housing and livable
115communities deems necessary pursuant to said guidance in paragraph (2) issued by the secretary
116of housing and livable communities on October 31, 2023. The executive office shall promulgate
117regulations or guidance for implementation of this paragraph.
118 (4) The executive office shall provide a physical copy of written information to families
119with children and pregnant women receiving benefits through the emergency housing assistance
120program in the form of printed handouts which shall include, but shall not be limited to,
121information about: (i) authorized training programs; (ii) approved training programs; (iii) food
122resources, including food pantries; (iv) services offered by resettlement agencies; (v) other 7 of 27
123housing programs; and (vi) other nonprofit or available resources the executive office deems
124necessary. All written information shall be translated into multiple languages and shall be
125available on the executive office’s website.
126 SECTION 4. Paragraph (G) of said section 30 of said chapter 23B, as inserted by section
1273, is hereby repealed.
128 SECTION 5. Chapter 40A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
129section 3A the following section:-
130 Section 3B. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context
131clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
132 “Commission”, the alcoholic beverages control commission, established by section 70 of
133chapter 10.
134 “Outdoor table service”, restaurant service that includes food prepared on-site and under
135a food establishment permit issued by a municipal authority pursuant to 105 CMR 590.00 that is
136served to seated diners outside the restaurant building envelope, whether on a sidewalk, patio,
137deck, lawn, parking area or other outdoor space.
138 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, any special permit, variance or other
139approval issued thereunder or any general or special law to the contrary, a city or town may
140approve a request for expansion of outdoor table service, including in the description of the
141licensed premises as described in subsection (c), or an extension of an earlier granted approval.
142Before such approval, the mayor, board of selectmen, select board or other chief executive
143officer, as established by charter or special act, shall establish the process for approving such 8 of 27
144requests. Such process shall not be required to comply with the notice and publication provisions
145of section 11. An approval under this section may be exercised immediately upon filing of notice
146thereof with the city or town clerk, without complying with any otherwise applicable recording
147or certification requirements.
148 (c) Pursuant to subsection (b), a local licensing authority may grant approval for a change
149in the description of the licensed premises for the purpose of permitting outdoor alcohol service
150as the local licensing authority deems reasonable and proper and may issue an amended license
151to existing license holders, without further review or approval from the commission prior to
152issuance. Upon approval of an amended license, the local licensing authority shall provide notice
153of the amended license to the commission. Nothing in this section shall prevent the commission
154from exercising the commission’s enforcement authority over an amended license.
155 (d) Before approving any request to extend an earlier granted approval, a city, town or
156local licensing authority may modify the scope of the approval as the city, town or local
157licensing authority deems proper and appropriate including, but not limited to, modifying the
158terms of an earlier granted approval to address potential issues with snow removal, pedestrian
159traffic or similar concerns.
160 SECTION 6. Section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
161Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-
162 (dd)(1) As used in this subsection, the following words shall, unless the context clearly
163requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
164 “Authorized training program”, a program approved by the secretary of administration
165and finance and the secretary of labor and workforce development that is offered by an employer 9 of 27
166to train qualified trainees; provided, that said program shall assist qualified trainees in
167developing skills and accessing resources to prepare qualified trainees to enter the workforce;
168and provided further, that no authorized training program shall provide compensation to a
169qualified trainee without work authorization and said program shall ensure the qualified trainee
170has no expectation of compensation for training.
171 “Qualified trainee”, an individual receiving benefits through the emergency housing
172assistance program pursuant to section 30 of chapter 23B and 760 CMR 67.00 or an individual in
173an overflow emergency shelter site established in response to the capacity limitation on said
174program pursuant to a declaration issued by the secretary of housing and livable communities
175dated October 31, 2023, the extension of the declaration dated February 28, 2024 and any
176subsequent extensions, issued pursuant to 760 CMR 67.10, as inserted by emergency regulations
177issued by the executive office of housing and livable communities on October 31, 2023 and
178accompanying guidance issued pursuant to said declaration and 760 CMR 67.10, who: (i)(A) has
179not received work authorization; or (B) is currently unemployed; and (ii) is participating in an
180authorized training program.
181 “Training”, teaching, developing or enhancing skills and knowledge to improve capacity,
182productivity and performance to enter the workforce, including, but not limited to, classes,
183clinics or other hands-on methods.
184 “Work authorization”, federal authorization to work in the United States pursuant to 8
185CFR 274a.
186 (2) A partnership, limited liability corporation or other legal entity that is not a business
187corporation subject to the excise under chapter 63 may be allowed a nonrefundable credit equal 10 of 27
188to $2,500 for each qualified trainee who receives training through an authorized training program
189by said partnership, limited liability corporation or other legal entity in a taxable year. If the
190credit allowed for a taxable year exceeds the taxpayer’s liability for that taxable year, the
191taxpayer may carry forward and apply the credit in the subsequent taxable year.
192 (3) To be eligible for the credit pursuant to paragraph (2), the partnership, limited liability
193corporation or other legal entity shall: (i) have a place of business in the commonwealth; (ii)
194conduct the authorized training program in the commonwealth and in compliance with
195recommendations of the secretary of labor and workforce development pursuant to paragraph
196(5); and (iii) meet any additional requirements determined by the secretary of administration and
197finance and the secretary of labor and workforce development.
198 (4) The total amount of credits that may be authorized in a taxable year pursuant to this
199subsection and section 38NN of chapter 63 shall not exceed $10,000,000.
200 (5) The secretary of labor and workforce development shall:
201 (i) identify industries with the greatest workforce needs in geographically diverse areas of
202the commonwealth in which qualified trainees may be employed after receiving work
203authorization; provided, that the secretary of labor and workforce development shall identify
204industries with varying work experience, education, certification and licensure requirements for
205training;
206 (ii) provide recommendations for training criteria to enable qualified trainees to be
207successful in the workforce; provided, that the secretary of labor and workforce development
208shall provide specific industry recommendations for training; and provided further, that the
209secretary may identify existing training programs that meet said training criteria; and 11 of 27
210 (iii) perform outreach to industries identified as having the greatest workforce needs to
211provide notice of the tax credit program established pursuant to this subsection.
212 SECTION 7. Subsection (dd) of said section 6 of said chapter 62, as inserted by section
2136, is hereby repealed.
214 SECTION 8. Chapter 63 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
215section 38MM the following section:-
216 Section 38NN. (a) As used in this subsection, the following words shall, unless the
217context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
218 “Authorized training program”, a program approved by the secretary of administration
219and finance and the secretary of labor and workforce development that is offered by an employer
220to train qualified trainees; provided, that said program shall assist qualified trainees in
221developing skills and accessing resources to prepare qualified trainees to enter the workforce;
222and provided further, that no authorized training program shall provide compensation to a
223qualified trainee without work authorization and said program shall ensure the qualified trainee
224has no expectation of compensation for training.
225 “Qualified trainee”, an individual receiving benefits through the emergency housing
226assistance program pursuant to section 30 of chapter 23B and 760 CMR 67.00 or an individual in
227an overflow emergency shelter site established in response to the capacity limitation on said
228program pursuant to a declaration issued by the secretary of housing and livable communities
229dated October 31, 2023, the extension of the declaration dated February 28, 2024 and any
230subsequent extensions, issued pursuant to 760 CMR 67.10, as inserted by emergency regulations
231issued by the executive office of housing and livable communities on October 31, 2023, and 12 of 27
232accompanying guidance issued pursuant to said declaration and 760 CMR 67.10, who: (i)(A) has
233not received work authorization; or (B) is currently unemployed; and (ii) is participating in an
234authorized training program.
235 “Training”, teaching, developing or enhancing skills and knowledge to improve capacity,
236productivity and performance to enter the workforce, including, but not limited to, classes,
237clinics or other hands-on methods.
238 “Work authorization”, federal authorization to work in the United States pursuant to 8
239CFR 274a.
240 (b) A business corporation may be allowed a nonrefundable credit equal to $2,500 for
241each qualified trainee who receives training through an authorized training program by said
242business corporation in a taxable year. If the credit allowed for a taxable year exceeds the
243taxpayer’s liability for that taxable year, the taxpayer may carry forward and apply the credit in
244the subsequent taxable year.
245 (c) To be eligible for the credit pursuant to subsection (b), the business corporation shall:
246(i) have a place of business in the commonwealth; (ii) conduct the authorized training program in
247the commonwealth and in compliance with recommendations of the secretary of labor and
248workforce development pursuant to subsection (e); and (iii) meet any additional requirements
249determined by the secretary of administration and finance and the secretary of labor and
250workforce development.
251 (d) The total amount of credits that may be authorized in a taxable year pursuant to
252subsection (dd) of section 6 of chapter 62 and this section shall not exceed $10,000,000. 13 of 27
253 (e) The secretary of labor and workforce development shall:
254 (i) identify industries with the greatest workforce needs in geographically diverse areas of
255the commonwealth in which qualified trainees may be employed after receiving work
256authorization; provided, that the secretary of labor and workforce development shall identify
257industries with varying work experience, education, certification and licensure requirements for
258training;
259 (ii) provide recommendations for training criteria to enable qualified trainees to be
260successful in the workforce; provided, that the secretary of labor and workforce development
261shall provide specific industry recommendations for training; and provided further, that the
262secretary may identify existing training programs that meet said training criteria; and
263 (iii) perform outreach to industries identified as having the greatest workforce needs to
264provide notice of the tax credit program established pursuant to this section.
265 SECTION 9. Section 38NN of said chapter 63, as inserted by section 8, is hereby
266repealed.
267 SECTION 10. Chapter 138 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
268section 12 the following section:-
269 Section 12½. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context
270clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
271 “Mixed drink”, distilled spirits, cordials or liqueurs, with or without mixers, that are
272combined on a licensed premises and sold in a sealed container or original container that is
273unopened; provided, that a mixed drink may contain wines and malt beverages in addition to 14 of 27
274distilled spirits, cordials or liqueurs; provided further, that the volume of distilled spirits,
275cordials, liqueurs, wines, malt beverages and mixers contained in said mixed drink shall be of the
276same proportion and same price as if served for on-premises consumption.
277 “Mixer”, a non-alcoholic ingredient in a mixed drink.
278 “Sealed container”, a packaged container with a secure lid or cap designed to prevent
279consumption without removal of the lid or cap; provided, however, that if the packaged container
280has a lid with sipping holes or an opening for straws, said container shall be covered or affixed
281with an additional seal; provided further, that said lid, cap or seal shall be affixed before sale in
282such a way to prevent reopening without it being obvious that said lid, cap or seal was removed
283or broken, which may include tape or a sticking adhesive.
284 (b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, an establishment licensed
285to sell all alcoholic beverages, distilled spirits, cordials or liqueurs for on-premises consumption
286may sell mixed drinks for off-premises consumption subject to all the following conditions: (i)
287the mixed drink shall not be sold to a person under 21 years of age; (ii) any delivery of mixed
288drinks for off-premises consumption shall not be made without verification that the person
289receiving the order has attained 21 years of age; (iii) the mixed drink shall be sold in a sealed
290container or an original unopened container; (iv) the mixed drink shall be sold as part of the
291same transaction as the purchase of food, and any order that includes a mixed drink shall be
292placed not later than the hour of which the establishment is licensed to sell alcohol or 12:00
293A.M., whichever time is earlier; provided, that a transaction shall include at least 1 item of food
294prepared on-site sufficient to serve 1 individual; (v) a customer shall be limited to 64 fluid
295ounces of mixed drinks per transaction consistent with clause (iv); and (vi) if the mixed drink in 15 of 27
296a sealed container or an original unopened container is to be transported by a motor vehicle,
297either by delivery or pick-up, the driver of the motor vehicle shall transport the mixed drink in
298the trunk of the motor vehicle or an area that is not considered the passenger area, as defined by
299section 24I of chapter 90.
300 (c) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, an establishment licensed
301to sell all alcoholic beverages or only wines or malt beverages for on-premises consumption may
302sell wine or malt beverages for off-premises consumption subject to all the following conditions:
303(i) the wine or malt beverage shall not be sold to a person under 21 years of age; (ii) any delivery
304of wine or malt beverages for off-premises consumption shall not be made without verification
305that the person receiving the order has attained 21 years of age; (iii) the wine or malt beverage
306shall be sold in a sealed container or an original unopened container; (iv) the wine or malt
307beverage shall be sold as part of the same transaction as the purchase of food and any order that
308includes wine or a malt beverage shall be placed not later than the hour of which the
309establishment is licensed to sell alcohol or 12:00 A.M., whichever time is earlier; provided, that a
310transaction shall include at least 1 item of food prepared on-site sufficient to serve 1 individual;
311(v) a customer shall be limited to 192 ounces of malt beverage and 1.5 liters of wine per
312transaction consistent with clause (iv); and (vi) if the wine or malt beverage in a sealed container
313or an original unopened container is to be transported by a motor vehicle, either by delivery or
314pick-up, the driver of the motor vehicle shall transport the wine or malt beverage in the trunk of
315the motor vehicle or an area that is not considered the passenger area, as defined by section 24I
316of chapter 90.
317 (d) An establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption
318shall include an establishment licensed pursuant to section 12, subsection (b) of section 19, 16 of 27
319subsection (n) of section 19B, subsection (n) of section 19C, section 19D, subsection (o) of
320section 19E or section 19H; provided, that an establishment licensed pursuant to said section
32119D shall also hold a license pursuant to said section 12. An establishment selling alcoholic
322beverages for off-premises consumption may only sell alcoholic beverages permitted pursuant to
323their type and category of license.
324 (e)(1) An establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption
325that delivers any alcoholic beverage for off-premises consumption in a vehicle owned or leased
326by the establishment or its employees shall obtain a transportation permit pursuant to section 22
327for each vehicle used for delivery of alcoholic beverages.
328 (2) An establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption
329that delivers any alcoholic beverage for off-premises consumption may use a third party with a
330permit for express transportation pursuant to section 22 for delivery of alcoholic beverages.
331 SECTION 11. Section 7A of chapter 167E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
332Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “person”, in line 14, the
333following words:- , by synchronous real-time video conference or by telephone.
334 SECTION 12. Section 65C ½ of chapter 171 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
335hereby amended by inserting after the word “person”, in line 14, the following words:- , by
336synchronous real-time video conference or by telephone.
337 SECTION 13. Section 31A of chapter 20 of the acts of 2021, as amended by section 41
338of chapter 2 of the acts of 2023, is hereby further amended by striking out the words “March 31,
3392024” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- March 31, 2025. 17 of 27
340 SECTION 14. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall, unless the
341context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
342 “Approved training program”, an existing training program the secretary of
343administration and finance, in consultation with the secretary of labor and workforce
344development, deems sufficient to provide skills and resources to individuals in the emergency
345housing assistance program, established in section 30 of chapter 23B of the General Laws,
346including, but not limited to: (i) workforce and career technical skills training, pursuant to item
3471599-2037 of section 2A of chapter 102 of the acts of 2021; (ii) high-demand workforce training
348programs, pursuant to item 1599-2041 of said section 2A of said chapter 102; (iii) the
349manufacturing pilot program, established pursuant to item 7002-0020 of section 2 of chapter 28
350of the acts of 2023; (iv) the Learn to Earn Initiative program, established pursuant to item 7002-
3511080 of said section 2 of said chapter 28; (v) 1199 SEIU training, pursuant to item 7003-0608 of
352said section 2 of said chapter 28; (vi) Massachusetts AFL-CIO Workforce Development
353Programs, Inc., pursuant to item 7003-1207 of said section 2 of said chapter 28; and (vii) shelter
354workforce development initiative, pursuant to item 7004-0109 of said section 2 of said chapter
35528; provided, that the approved training program shall be available to individuals in non-state-
356funded overflow emergency shelter sites and state-funded overflow emergency shelter sites.
357 “Authorized training program”, a program approved by the secretary of administration
358and finance and the secretary of labor and workforce development that is offered by an employer
359to train qualified trainees; provided, that said program shall assist qualified trainees in
360developing skills and accessing resources to prepare qualified trainees to enter the workforce;
361and provided further, that no authorized training program shall provide compensation to a 18 of 27
362qualified trainee without work authorization and said program shall ensure the qualified trainee
363has no expectation of compensation for training.
364 “Non-state-funded overflow emergency shelter site”, any overflow site that is funded
365through a nonprofit or other non-state entity for eligible families that have been waitlisted for
366placement at an emergency shelter as a result of the emergency housing assistance program,
367established in section 30 of chapter 23B of the General Laws, reaching capacity at 7,500
368families, as identified in the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter declaration issued by the
369secretary of housing and livable communities on October 31, 2023, and the extension of the
370declaration dated February 28, 2024, and any subsequent extensions, pursuant to 760 CMR
37167.10, as inserted by emergency regulations issued by the executive office of housing and livable
372communities on October 31, 2023, and accompanying guidance issued pursuant to said
373declaration and 760 CMR 67.10.
374 “Qualified trainee”, an individual receiving benefits through the emergency housing
375assistance program pursuant to section 30 of chapter 23B of the General Laws and 760 CMR
37667.00 or an individual in an overflow emergency shelter site established in response to the
377capacity limitation on said program pursuant to a declaration issued by the secretary of housing
378and livable communities dated October 31, 2023, the extension of the declaration dated February
37928, 2024 and any subsequent extensions, issued pursuant to 760 CMR 67.10, as inserted by
380emergency regulations issued by the executive office of housing and livable communities on
381October 31, 2023 and accompanying guidance issued pursuant to said declaration and 760 CMR
38267.10, who: (i)(A) has not received work authorization; or (B) is currently unemployed; and (ii)
383is participating in an authorized training program. 19 of 27
384 “State-funded overflow emergency shelter site”, any state-funded overflow site,
385including, but not limited to, any site funded under item 1599-0514 of section 2 of chapter 77 of
386the acts of 2023, for eligible families that have been waitlisted for placement at an emergency
387shelter as a result of the emergency housing assistance program reaching capacity at 7,500
388families, as identified in the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter declaration issued by the
389secretary of housing and livable communities on October 31, 2023, and the extension of the
390declaration dated February 28, 2024, and any subsequent extensions, pursuant to 760 CMR
39167.10, as inserted by emergency regulations issued by the executive office of housing and livable
392communities on October 31, 2023, and accompanying guidance issued pursuant to said
393declaration and 760 CMR 67.10.
394 (b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any state-funded overflow
395emergency shelter site operational as of March 15, 2024 shall serve families and pregnant
396women with no other children until the hour of 9 A.M. each day and no family or pregnant
397woman shall be required to leave the state-funded overflow emergency shelter site prior to 9
398A.M.; provided, that any state-funded overflow emergency shelter site that becomes operational
399after March 15, 2024 shall be open 24 hours per day 7 days per week to provide services to
400families with children and pregnant women with no other children.
401 (c) If multiple state-funded overflow emergency shelter sites are required to maintain
402shelter for newly arriving migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, state-funded overflow
403emergency shelter sites shall be located in geographically diverse areas throughout the
404commonwealth. 20 of 27
405 (d) All state-funded overflow emergency shelter sites and, to the extent feasible, non-
406state-funded overflow emergency shelter sites shall provide information to families about
407authorized training programs and approved training programs offered to provide skills and
408resources to individuals for assistance in entering the workforce; provided, that eligible
409individuals in the family shall be authorized to participate in the authorized training programs
410and the approved training programs; provided further, that all state-funded overflow emergency
411shelter sites and non-state-funded overflow emergency shelter sites shall provide information to
412families and pregnant women about other resources available, including, but not limited to: (i)
413food resources, including food pantries in close proximity to said overflow emergency shelter
414site; (ii) services offered by resettlement agencies; (iii) housing programs; and (iv) other
415available resources from nonprofits or other sources.
416 (e) The secretary of housing and livable communities shall submit to the house and senate
417committees on ways and means not less than every 30 days a report with data for each state-
418funded overflow emergency shelter site and, to the extent feasible, each non-state-funded
419overflow emergency shelter site, including the following information: (i) types of services
420provided to families, including a breakdown of the types of services and hours of availability of
421services; (ii) total number of families; (iii) number of families new to the overflow emergency
422shelter site since the last report; (iv) total number of individuals; (v) number of individuals new
423to the overflow emergency shelter site since the last report; (vi) average length of stay, in days,
424for individuals in an overflow emergency shelter site, including a breakdown of data on: (A) the
425family with the longest length of stay; (B) families that have been placed in the emergency
426shelter assistance program from a state-funded overflow emergency shelter site or non-state-
427funded overflow emergency shelter site; and (C) families that are no longer in the state-funded 21 of 27
428overflow emergency shelter site or non-state-funded overflow emergency shelter site but have
429not been placed in the emergency assistance program; (vii) a procurement record for state-funded
430overflow sites for supplies and services necessary to provide resources and necessities of daily
431living to families; and (viii) efforts made to connect families with additional services or
432programs, including, but not limited to, resettlement agencies, HomeBase or other housing
433programs.
434 SECTION 15. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, not later
435than April 1, 2024, the governor shall seek from the United States Department of Homeland
436Security any and all federal approvals for a waiver to permit expedited work authorizations,
437temporary work authorizations or provisional work authorizations, including, but not limited to,
438any waiver for said work authorizations pursuant to 8 C.F.R. section 274a.12, as amended, for
439newly arriving migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the commonwealth to allow said
440migrants, refugees and asylum seekers to create a pathway to work and to aid in alleviating the
441commonwealth’s shelter capacity crisis for which the governor declared a state of emergency on
442August 8, 2023 due to the significant influx of families seeking shelter in response to ongoing
443humanitarian crises and conflicts around the world.
444 (b) The request for a waiver pursuant to subsection (a) shall include: (i) alternative
445approaches for work authorizations to allow for an expedited process in the commonwealth,
446including, but not limited to, requests for expedited work authorizations, temporary work
447authorizations or provisional work authorizations; provided, that 1 alternative approach shall
448include a proposed state sponsorship program allowing the commonwealth to sponsor said
449migrants, refugees and asylum seekers for a state-operated worker program; and (ii) data on the
450current number of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers: 22 of 27
451 (A) in the emergency housing assistance program, pursuant to section 30 of chapter 23B
452of the General Laws, as amended by section 3, and 760 CMR 67.00;
453 (B) in a state-funded overflow emergency shelter site and a non-state funded overflow
454emergency shelter site, as those terms are defined in section 14;
455 (C) ready to enter the workforce upon grant of a work authorization; and
456 (D) participating in training or skills-based learning programs, including but not limited
457to:
458 (1) authorized training programs, as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (dd) of section
4596 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as inserted by section 6, and section 38NN of chapter 63 of
460the General Laws, as inserted by section 8; and
461 (2) approved training programs, as defined in said section 30 of said chapter 23B, as
462inserted by section 3, to be ready to enter the workforce upon grant of a work authorization.
463 (c) The waiver request pursuant to subsection (a) shall be publicly available on the
464governor’s website not later than April 1, 2024.
465 SECTION 16. (a) The executive office of administration and finance, in consultation with
466the executive office of housing and livable communities, office for refugees and immigrants and
467the executive office of labor and workforce development, shall submit a report to the house and
468senate committees on ways and means not less than every 30 days on the approved training
469program, as defined in section 30 of chapter 23B of the General Laws, as inserted by section 3.
470Said reports shall include, but shall not be limited to: (i) the total number of individuals
471participating in the approved training program; (ii) the total number of individuals waiting for 23 of 27
472placement to participate in an approved training program; (iii) the list of approved training
473programs approved by the secretary of administration and finance in consultation with the
474secretary of labor and workforce development; (iv) the total number of individuals from the
475emergency assistance shelter system participating in an approved training program; (v) the total
476number of individuals from an overflow emergency shelter site participating in an approved
477training program; (vi) the number of new individuals participating in the approved training
478program since the last report; (vii) the number of new individuals waiting for placement to
479participate in an approved training program since the last report; (viii) the list of approved
480training programs approved by the secretary since the last report; (ix) the number of individuals
481from the emergency assistance shelter system participating in an approved training program
482since the last report; (x) the number of individuals from an overflow emergency shelter site
483participating in an approved training program since the last report; (xi) geographic areas in the
484commonwealth, broken down by municipality, where the approved training programs are
485located; (xii) the total number of individuals who received work authorization while participating
486in an approved training program; (xiii) the number of individuals who received work
487authorization while participating in an approved training program since the last report; (xiv) the
488total number of individuals who were provided notice of the availability of an approved training
489program; and (xv) the number of individuals who were provided notice of the availability of an
490approved training program since the last report.
491 (b) The executive office of administration and finance, in consultation with the executive
492office of housing and livable communities, office for refugees and immigrants and the executive
493office of labor and workforce development, shall submit a report to the house and senate
494committees on ways and means not less than every 30 days on the authorized training program, 24 of 27
495as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (dd) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as
496inserted by section 6, and section 38NN of chapter 63 of the General Laws, as inserted by section
4978. Said reports shall include, but shall not be limited to: (i) the implementation status of
498authorized training programs; (ii) the total number of employers seeking to offer an authorized
499training program; (iii) the number of employers seeking to offer an authorized training program
500since the last report; (iv) the total number of employers approved by the secretary of
501administration and finance and the secretary of labor and workforce development to offer an
502authorized training program and a breakdown of the industries and geographic area, broken
503down by municipality, where employers are located; (v) the number of employers approved by
504the secretary of administration and finance and secretary of labor and workforce development to
505offer an authorized training program since the last report; (vi) the total number of individuals
506waiting for placement in an authorized training program; (vii) the number of individuals waiting
507for placement in an authorized training program since the last report; (viii) the total number of
508individuals from the emergency assistance shelter system participating in an authorized training
509program; (ix) the number of individuals from the emergency assistance shelter system
510participating in an authorized training program since the last report; (x) the total number of
511individuals from an overflow emergency shelter site participating in an authorized training
512program; (xi) the number of individuals from an overflow emergency shelter site participating in
513an authorized training program since the last report; (xii) the total number of individuals who
514received work authorization while participating in an authorized training program; (xiii) the
515number of individuals who received work authorization while participating in an authorized
516training program since the last report; (xiv) the total number of individuals who were provided
517notice of the availability of an authorized training program; (xv) the total number of individuals 25 of 27
518offered employment by an employer after receiving work authorization and participating in an
519authorized training program; and (xvi) the number of individuals offered employment by an
520employer after receiving work authorization and participating in an authorized training program
521since the last report.
522 SECTION 17. (a) Not later than 30 days after the effective date of this act, the secretary
523of labor and workforce development, in consultation with the secretary of administration and
524finance, shall promulgate regulations or guidance for the administration of the authorized
525training programs established in subsection (dd) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws,
526as inserted by section 6, and section 38NN of chapter 63 of the General Laws, as inserted by
527section 8, including, but not limited to, requirements to be deemed an authorized training
528program.
529 (b) Not later than 30 days after the effective date of this act, the commissioner of the
530department of revenue, in consultation with the secretary of labor and workforce development
531and the secretary of administration and finance, shall promulgate regulations or guidance for the
532administration of the tax credit established in subsection (dd) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the
533General Laws, as inserted by section 6, and section 38NN of chapter 63 of the General Laws, as
534inserted by section 8.
535 SECTION 17A. Not later than July 30, 2024, the executive office of administration and
536finance, in consultation with the executive office of housing and livable communities and the
537department of elementary and secondary education, shall submit a report to the house and senate
538committees on ways and means with data on students in the emergency housing assistance
539program pursuant to section 30 of chapter 23B of the General Laws, during the 2023-2024 26 of 27
540school year, including, but not limited to: (i) the total number of students in the emergency
541housing assistance program enrolled in public schools, broken down by district; (ii) the total
542number of students in the emergency housing assistance program who required transportation
543services to a school district outside of the district in which they were sheltered and the total
544associated costs of the transportation services, broken down by district; (iii) the total number of
545students per district that required language services, broken down by language; (iv) MCAS score
546data for school districts with students enrolled in the emergency housing assistance program
547within the last 3 school years, broken down by district; and (v) a per pupil cost analysis of all
548expenditures made by school districts with students enrolled in the emergency assistance housing
549program, broken down by district.
550 SECTION 18. Section 14 is hereby repealed.
551 SECTION 19. Section 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2025 or upon the end of the capacity
552limitation on the emergency shelter assistance program pursuant to the declaration issued by the
553secretary of housing and livable communities dated October 31, 2023, the extension of the
554declaration dated February 28, 2024 and any subsequent extensions, issued pursuant to 760 CMR
55567.10, as inserted by emergency regulations issued by the executive office of housing and livable
556communities on October 31, 2023, and accompanying guidance issued pursuant to said
557declaration and 760 CMR 67.10, whichever is sooner.
558 SECTION 20. Sections 5 and 10 shall take effect as of April 1, 2024.
559 SECTION 21. Sections 6 and 8 shall take effect for taxable years beginning on or after
560January 1, 2024. 27 of 27
561 SECTION 22. Sections 7 and 9 shall take effect on January 1, 2026 or in the taxable year
562of the end of the capacity limitation on the emergency shelter assistance program pursuant to a
563declaration issued by the secretary of housing and livable communities dated October 31, 2023,
564the extension of the declaration dated February 28, 2024 and any subsequent extensions, issued
565pursuant to 760 CMR 67.10, as inserted by emergency regulations issued by the executive office
566of housing and livable communities on October 31, 2023 and accompanying guidance issued
567pursuant to said declaration and 760 CMR 67.10, whichever is sooner.
568 SECTION 23. Sections 11 to 13, inclusive, shall take effect as of March 31, 2024.
569 SECTION 24. Section 18 shall take effect 30 days after the closure of the last state-
570funded overflow emergency shelter site or non-state-funded overflow emergency shelter site, as
571those terms are defined in section 14; provided, that if a state-funded overflow emergency shelter
572site or non-state-funded overflow emergency shelter site reopens, or a new state-funded overflow
573emergency shelter site or non-state-funded overflow emergency shelter site opens, for any reason
574all reporting required pursuant to section 14 shall resume until 30 days after closure of the sites.
575 SECTION 25. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any funds
576expended for the purpose of providing food through the emergency housing assistance program
577shall be subject to a competitive bidding process.