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HD 3485

An Act relative to the department of unemployment assistance

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Andy Vargas

Creates a Special Review Team to modernize the Department of Unemployment Assistance and funds implementing changes through a new Unemployment Assistance Review Fund.

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Bill Summary · HD 3485

Summary: An Act relative to the Department of Unemployment Assistance (HD 3485)

Purpose and intent

This bill would establish a formal review and modernization process for the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and create a dedicated fund to support implementing recommended changes. Its core aims are to improve technology and administrative operations, reduce fraud, ensure equitable access, and improve timeliness of unemployment services.

Key provisions

  • Section 28 (Chapter 23): Special Review Team

    • A five-member special team, appointed by the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, with expertise in administrative operations, technology, and unemployment insurance.
    • Mandated review areas: (i) technology and resources; (ii) fraud; (iii) equitable access; (iv) timeliness.
    • Outcome: the team must draft an action plan to reform and modernize the Department of Unemployment Assistance.

  • Section 28 (b) reporting timeline

    • The team must submit, no later than July 1, to the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, the clerks of the House and Senate, and the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development:
    • A summary of the review,
    • The action plan with recommendations for legislative or regulatory changes,
    • An estimated cost to implement the recommended changes.

  • New Unemployment Assistance Review Fund (Chapter 29, added section 2KKKKKK)

    • Establishment of a separate fund, administered by the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development.
    • Funding sources: designated general appropriations, gifts/grants/donations from public and private sources, and interest earnings.
    • Use: expenditures to implement changes recommended by the action plan, without requiring additional appropriations.
    • Annual reporting: by July 1, the Secretary must report to the clerks of the House and Senate, Ways and Means committees, and the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development on fund activities.

Affected parties

  • Commonwealth agencies: Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development; Department of Unemployment Assistance.
  • Massachusetts General Court: Clerks, Ways and Means, Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development.
  • Unemployment benefits applicants and program participants (through anticipated improvements in access, fraud reduction, and service timeliness).
  • Potential fund contributors: public and private sources (via gifts, grants, donations).

Timeline and procedural notes

  • The bill is filed as House Docket No. 3485 (House 4069) in the 2025-2026 General Court session.
  • Special Review Team must complete and submit its report by July 1 (of the year specified in the bill).
  • The Unemployment Assistance Review Fund requires annual reporting by July 1 of each year.

Financial implications

  • Creation of a dedicated funding stream to implement recommended reforms, reducing dependence on ordinary appropriations for modernization efforts.
  • Requires cost estimates for implementing action-plan recommendations to accompany the final plan.

Status

  • Based on the version provided, the bill was filed January 17, 2025 (House Docket No. 4069) in the 194th General Court (2025-2026). The user note lists “Introduced: November 29, 2025,” which may reflect a subsequent status update not shown in the text provided. No final enactment status is indicated here.

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

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