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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1712 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2399
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Robyn K. Kennedy
_________________
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 to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Robyn K. KennedyFirst WorcesterJohn F. KeenanNorfolk and Plymouth1/29/2025Joan B. LovelySecond Essex2/19/2025 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1712 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2399
By Ms. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2399) of Robyn K. Kennedy, John
F. Keenan and Joan B. Lovely for legislation to provide identification to youth and adults
experiencing homelessness. Transportation.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2251 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness.
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 8E of Chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by adding the following 2 paragraphs:-
3 The regulations establishing criteria for identification cards shall include a process for a
4person who is homeless or is an unaccompanied homeless youth to apply for a Massachusetts
5identification card and to waive any fees associated with obtaining the identification card;
6provided, however, that the process shall allow for a person who is homeless or is an
7unaccompanied homeless youth to submit proof of residency by providing documentation that is
8satisfactory to the registrar and that is: (i) from an entity that provides housing services or youth
9services in the commonwealth, including, but not limited to, homeless service providers; or (ii)
10evidence of services that the person received from a department, division, office or agency of the 2 of 2
11executive office of health and human services or executive office of housing and livable
12communities. The registrar and the state secretary shall enter into a memorandum of
13understanding under section 42G ½ of chapter 51 to implement this paragraph, as appropriate.
14 For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
15 “Homeless”, shall have the same meaning as in section 103 of the Stewart B. McKinney
16Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, 42 USC 11302(a), as amended.
17 “Unaccompanied homeless youth”, a person who: (i) is 24 years of age or younger; (ii) is
18not in the physical custody or care of a parent or legal guardian; and (iii) lacks a fixed, regular
19and adequate nighttime residence.