An Act providing immediate childcare assistance to homeless families
This bill allows families receiving emergency shelter or transitional assistance in Massachusetts to immediately access childcare vouchers and early intervention services for children under three, regardless of whether they meet standard work requirements. It requires the Department of Transitional Assistance to provide a full-time childcare referral upon receiving a letter confirming shelter residency and mandates that children in these shelters automatically qualify for early intervention services for one year after entering or leaving shelter. Additionally, the law directs the relevant department to remove administrative barriers and establish new policies within 90 days to ensure these provisions are implemented effectively.
Bill status
passed
3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023
Last action Feb 15, 2024
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
lower
1 primary · 12 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Marjorie Decker
DDemocratic
Co
Alan Silvia
DDemocratic
Co
Brandy Fluker-Reid
DDemocratic
Co
Dan Sena
DDemocratic
Co
David LeBoeuf
DDemocratic
Co
Jon Santiago
DDemocratic
Co
Kevin Honan
DDemocratic
Co
Mike Barrett
DDemocratic
Co
Natalie Higgins
DDemocratic
Co
Pavel Payano
DDemocratic
Co
Priscila Sousa
DDemocratic
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