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HD 3903

An Act enhancing prioritization for the emergency assistance program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kim Ferguson and 5 co-sponsors

The bill limits emergency housing aid to Massachusetts residents of at least three months, with specific exceptions for veterans, domestic violence victims, and disaster survivors.

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Bill Summary · HD 3903

Summary of House Bill HD 3903 (An Act enhancing prioritization for the emergency assistance program)

Overview

  • Bill Number: HD 3903 (House No. 3903)
  • Title: An Act enhancing prioritization for the emergency assistance program
  • Introduced: November 29, 2025 (as part of the 2025-2026 General Court)
  • Status: Not provided in the submission
  • Origin: Filed by Representative Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and several co-sponsors
  • Context: The bill proposes a targeted change to the Commonwealth’s emergency housing assistance program (the program established under Chapter 23B, as amended)

Core purpose and intent

  • The bill tightens eligibility for the emergency housing assistance program by requiring a minimum period of residency in Massachusetts.
  • It aims to prioritize aid for longer-term residents while maintaining targeted exceptions for certain vulnerable groups and emergency situations.

Key provisions and changes

  • Residency requirement: The emergency housing assistance program shall be available only to residents who have resided in Massachusetts for at least three months. This is a hard threshold, superseding any conflicting laws, rules, or regulations.
  • Exceptions: The three-month residency rule does not apply to:
    • Veterans or members of their immediate family
    • Victims of domestic violence
    • Individuals whose living situation has been affected by a fire or other natural disaster that occurred in Massachusetts
  • Documentation of residency: The Department administering the program must require proof of the three-month residency period. Acceptable documentation may include federal and state-issued IDs, mail, financial statements, and bills, among others.
  • Applicability: The residency requirement and documentation rule apply to applications submitted on or after the act’s effective date.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Individuals seeking emergency housing assistance in Massachusetts.
  • Affected groups: Prospective applicants who cannot demonstrate three months of residency would be disqualified unless they fall under an exception (veterans/immediate family, domestic violence victims, or those affected by a Massachusetts fire/disaster).
  • Administrative impact: The Department would implement new documentation requirements to verify residency.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Effective date: The act states that the residency requirements apply to applications submitted on or after the act’s effective date. The precise effective date would be set if the bill becomes law.
  • Legislative status: The bill is introduced in the 2025-2026 General Court session as House No. 3903 (accompanied by House No. 1536 in the filing packet). The current status is not listed in the provided material.

Potential implications

  • Access to emergency housing aid could become more selective, potentially reducing draws on program resources by focusing on longer-term residents.
  • Vulnerable groups listed in the exceptions would retain access if they meet other program criteria.
  • Administrative processes would require verification of residency, increasing documentation requirements for applicants.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize a particular stakeholder (household, advocacy group, or municipal agency) or compare these changes to current Massachusetts law on emergency housing assistance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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