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Bill

HD 3752

An Act requiring an audit to review the utilization of welfare benefits out-of-state

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David DeCoste and 6 co-sponsors

Massachusetts must audit welfare benefit usage by out-of-state recipients to assess program integrity and fiscal impact.

Senate concurred
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Bill Summary · HD 3752

Legislative bill overview

HD 3752 requires Massachusetts to conduct an audit examining how welfare benefits recipients use benefits outside the state. The bill seeks to determine whether beneficiaries are traveling or relocating out-of-state while maintaining their Massachusetts assistance payments, and to identify any patterns in such usage.

Why is this important

Welfare programs represent significant state expenditures, and understanding benefit utilization patterns directly affects fiscal planning and program integrity. The audit results could inform policy decisions about benefit portability, residency requirements, and interstate coordination on assistance programs. This touches on questions about whether state resources are being used as intended and whether recipients maintain Massachusetts residency while receiving benefits.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy concerns: Tracking welfare recipients' out-of-state movements raises questions about surveillance, data collection scope, and recipient privacy rights
  • Program design intent: Some argue assistance shouldn't have geographic restrictions if recipients temporarily travel, while others contend benefits should require in-state residency
  • Administrative burden vs. benefit: Critics may question whether audit costs justify potential savings, or whether this addresses a widespread problem or isolated cases
  • Equity implications: The audit could disproportionately affect lower-income populations and raise concerns about whether similar scrutiny applies to other state benefits or tax expenditures

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

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