1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3903 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1536
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Bradley H. Jones, Jr.
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act enhancing prioritization for the emergency assistance program.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Bradley H. Jones, Jr.20th Middlesex1/17/2025Kimberly N. Ferguson1st Worcester1/21/2025Paul K. Frost7th Worcester1/31/2025Todd M. Smola1st Hampden3/10/2025David K. Muradian, Jr.9th Worcester1/29/2025Hannah Kane11th Worcester1/30/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3903 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1536
By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1536) of
Bradley H. Jones, Jr. and others relative to prioritization for the emergency assistance program.
Housing.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act enhancing prioritization for the emergency assistance program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 The first paragraph of section 30 of chapter 23B of the General Laws, as amended by
2section 120 of chapter 7 of the acts of 2023, is hereby further amended by adding the following
3new paragraphs:-
4
5 Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the
6emergency housing assistance program established herein shall be available only to residents of
7the commonwealth who have resided within the commonwealth for no less than three months,
8provided however that this provision shall not apply to a veteran or members of their immediate
9family, a victim of domestic violence or a person whose living situation has been affected by a
10fire or other natural disaster that occurred in Massachusetts.
11 2 of 2
12 The department shall require applicants to provide proof of residency for a period of no
13less than three months. The department may require applicants to submit documentation
14including, but not limited to, federal and state issued identification documents, mail, financial
15statements, and bills to meet the requirements of this section. This section shall apply to
16applications submitted for the emergency housing assistance program on or after the effective
17date of this act.