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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1536 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 161
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Liz Miranda
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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 providing for a guaranteed cash stipend for young adults transitioning out of foster care.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Liz MirandaSecond Suffolk 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1536 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 161
By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 161) of Liz Miranda for legislation
to provide for a guaranteed cash stipend for young adults transitioning out of foster care.
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 providing for a guaranteed cash stipend for young adults transitioning out of foster care.
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 119 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby
2amended by inserting after section 23C the following section:-
3 Section 23D. (a) The department shall, subject to appropriation, provide a cash stipend of
4$1,000 per month for 5 years to any individual who was formerly under the custody, care or
5responsibility of the department but has transitioned from the custody, care or responsibility of
6the department any time between the ages of 18 and 23. Should such an individual at any time
7return to the custody, care, or responsibility of the department, that individual’s monthly stipend
8will be put on hold until such time as the individual again transitions from the custody, care or
9responsibility of the department; provided, however, that no individual is eligible for more than
1060 total monthly payments of this stipend during the individual’s lifetime. 2 of 2
11 (b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, this stipend shall not be
12considered income for purposes of determining eligibility for any other benefit provided by the
13Commonwealth.
14 (c) The department shall inform all eligible foster care youth, in person and by writing,
15and their counsel as appointed under section 29 of chapter 119, of the availability of this cash
16stipend within 30 days of the youth attaining the age of 17 years and 6 months. The department
17shall provide appropriate case management to support eligible youth within the department’s
18custody, care, or responsibility in applying for this cash stipend and other support needed to
19assist the youth in making the transition from foster care to a successful adulthood, including
20setting up a personal bank account where this cash stipend may be deposited, making the youth
21aware of other state benefits for which the youth may be eligible, and connecting youth to
22financial literacy education or training.
23 (d) The department shall not terminate or suspend the payment of this cash stipend for
24any reason other than the return of the individual to the custody, care, or responsibility of the
25department.
26 (e) The department shall take steps to notify eligible former foster care youth of the
27existence and availability of this cash stipend and shall publish data as to the number of eligible
28young adults receiving this cash stipend.