H 5594 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act significantly alleviating poverty

This bill mandates that shelters, schools, and correctional facilities provide free menstrual products to individuals who menstruate without stigmatizing them. It also increases cash assistance for low-income families by raising monthly benefit standards to 50 percent of the federal poverty level and adding specific allowances for rent, clothing, and children. Additionally, the legislation introduces a $50 monthly rental allowance and a one-time $500 clothing allowance for eligible children, while expanding transitional aid for pregnant individuals without dependent children. The bill further clarifies that child support payments collected from recipients must be paid directly to the family and outlines specific circumstances under which individuals may be exempt from cooperating with child support enforcement agencies.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jul 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jul 22, 2026 Last action Jul 22, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Jul 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Jul 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
lower
0 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.