An Act relative to education or training activities for purposes of meeting the Department of Transitional Assistance work requirement

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Galvin

DTA may count master's-level education or training (e.g., nursing, social work) toward work requirements, via forthcoming rules; details to come.

Overview

This Massachusetts bill proposes to empower the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to develop rules allowing certain education or training activities to count toward the agency’s work requirements. Specifically, it targets applicants seeking a master’s degree, including but not limited to degrees in nursing and social work. The measure would supersede other laws only to the extent needed to implement these regulations.

What the bill would do

Amend Section 18 of Chapter 118 of the General Laws to authorize the DTA commissioner or the commissioner’s designee to promulgate rules and regulations.

Establish that, for purposes of meeting the DTA work requirement, education or training activities undertaken by applicants pursuing a master’s degree can be considered acceptable activities, subject to the forthcoming regulations.

Provide that the rules and regulations may apply to master’s degree programs in fields such as nursing and social work, among others.

Key provisions (specific language)

“Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the commissioner of the department or the commissioner’s designee will promulgate rules and regulations for the purpose of meeting the work requirement for applicants seeking a master’s degree in, but not limited to, nursing and social work.”

This is a regulatory grant, meaning details will be set through future rulemaking rather than in the bill text itself.

Who would be affected

Applicants who are subject to the DTA work requirements (often tied to TANF/public assistance programs) and are pursuing a master's degree.

Programs and institutions offering applicable master’s programs (e.g., nursing, social work) that might be cited in the regulations.

DTA administrators and caseworkers who would implement and enforce the new rules.

Implementation and timeline

The bill authorizes the creation of regulations but does not itself implement a program or provide funding.

The actual work-requirement accommodations would depend on regulatory rulemaking by the DTA commissioner or their designee, anticipated after the bill’s passage.

The language indicates a future regulatory process rather than an immediate policy shift.

Context and notes

Introduced as House Docket No. 954, filed January 14, 2025, by Representative William C. Galvin.

The measure references a similar or related matter previously discussed (House No. 169 in the 2023-2024 session), indicating ongoing interest in aligning work requirements with education/training pathways.

No specific funding or fiscal provision is included in the text presented.

Potential impact

Pros: Could expand access to higher education as a pathway to meet work requirements, potentially supporting workforce development in high-need fields (e.g., nursing, social work).

Cons: Relies on forthcoming regulations for details; regulatory design will influence who qualifies, what counts as eligible activities, duration, monitoring, and cost implications. As with any regulatory change, program integrity and administrative capacity will be important considerations.

Bill