Budget & Taxes

This bill appropriates state funds for fiscal year 2027 to support various departments, boards, and institutions across the Commonwealth, including specific allocations for healthcare, education, and public safety. It establishes new reporting requirements for certain programs, such as mandating that the Department of Children and Families submit data on enforcement actions and the number of individuals subjected to solitary confinement. The legislation also amends existing laws to increase penalties for specific child sexual offenses and adjusts lottery rules to allow for new game contracts while ensuring prize payouts remain at least 45 percent of revenue. Additionally, the bill modifies the minimum age for certain criminal charges and increases the number of years required for specific legal provisions.

H 4000 is a fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill that allocates funding to various Massachusetts state departments, programs, and activities. It specifies exact dollar amounts for agencies like the Department of Correction ($208,990,924), regional public libraries ($20,871,772), and emergency mitigation programs (e.g., $500,000 for Severe Winter Storm and Flooding). The bill primarily establishes budgetary allocations without introducing new policies or altering existing laws. It directly affects state agencies and programs receiving these funds during the 2026 fiscal year. (Note: The provided text includes unrelated legislative amendments at the end, but the core of H 4000 is this funding allocation.)

This bill allocates $425 million from the General Fund for supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, with funds transferable to state agencies and workforce programs. It adds new requirements for the emergency housing assistance program, including mandatory disclosure of prior criminal convictions (excluding sealed/expunged records) and criminal record checks for applicants. The bill limits eligibility for certain families to six consecutive months of benefits, with hardship waivers available for veterans or those facing domestic violence. It also mandates written notices before benefit termination, multilingual resource handouts for participants, and updated eligibility procedures.