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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3574 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 207
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Antonio F. D. Cabral
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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 establishing basic needs assistance for residents.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Antonio F. D. Cabral13th Bristol1/17/2025 1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3574 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 207
By Representative Cabral of New Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 207) of
Antonio F. D. Cabral that the Department of Transitional Assistance establish basic needs
assistance for residents. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act establishing basic needs assistance for residents.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 18 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby
2amended by inserting after section 39 the following new section:-
3 Section 40. The department of transitional assistance shall, subject to appropriation,
4provide the following basic needs benefits to persons residing in the Commonwealth who are
5lawfully admitted for permanent residence or are otherwise permanently residing in the United
6States under color of law; nutritional assistance benefits to persons who meet the eligibility
7requirements of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program except for the program
8requirements related to immigration status or citizenship. The basic needs benefits authorized
9under this section shall be provided at the same level and subject to the same requirements as
10benefits provided under Chapter 118 or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, with the
11exception of the immigration status or citizenship requirements of those programs.