An Act the Commonwealth housing, economic, education and equity in recovery and reconstruction

This bill, the CHEEERR ACT, establishes a Massachusetts Bureau on Social and Economic Equity in Recovery and Reconstruction to address disparities disproportionately affecting Black and Latino residents. It creates a "Commonwealth Corps" (CHEEERRS Corps) for community service projects targeting "disparately impacted communities" defined by high pandemic infection rates among Black/Latino residents, medically underserved areas, low/moderate income neighborhoods, or educationally disadvantaged school districts. The Bureau will manage a recovery fund, oversee community projects addressing unmet needs in these areas, and support Black/Latino-owned small businesses in low-income communities. The bill directly affects residents in these designated communities and requires the Bureau administrator to reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of impacted areas.