H 214 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty

HD 1353 increases monthly benefits for low-income households receiving state assistance programs. It mandates a 20% annual benefit increase starting July 1, 2025, until payments reach 50% of the federal poverty level for each household size. Once this target is met, benefits will automatically adjust each July to maintain at least 50% of the federal poverty level. The bill also includes adjustments for clothing allowances and rental costs for eligible households. This directly affects low-income families relying on these state assistance programs.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Jan 12, 2026
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
5
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
lower
1 primary · 90 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Marjorie Decker
Marjorie Decker
DDemocratic
MA
25th Middlesex
Co
Photo of Aaron Saunders
Aaron Saunders
DDemocratic
MA
7th Hampden
Co
Photo of Adrian Madaro
Adrian Madaro
DDemocratic
MA
1st Suffolk
Co
Photo of Adrianne Ramos
Adrianne Ramos
DDemocratic
MA
14th Essex
Co
Photo of Alan Silvia
Alan Silvia
DDemocratic
MA
7th Bristol
Co
Photo of Amy Sangiolo
Amy Sangiolo
DDemocratic
MA
11th Middlesex
Co
Photo of Andy Vargas
Andy Vargas
DDemocratic
MA
3rd Essex
Co
Photo of Angelo Puppolo
Angelo Puppolo
DDemocratic
MA
12th Hampden
Co
Photo of Bill Galvin
Bill Galvin
DDemocratic
MA
6th Norfolk
Co
Photo of Billy MacGregor
Billy MacGregor
DDemocratic
MA
10th Suffolk
Co
Photo of Brian Ashe
Brian Ashe
DDemocratic
MA
2nd Hampden