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SD 901

An Act to SAVE tax dollars in the Commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ryan Fattman and 1 co-sponsor

Requires all state agencies issuing public benefits or licenses to use the federal SAVE program to verify eligibility when documentation is missing or questionable.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 901

Summary of Senate Bill SD 901: An Act to SAVE tax dollars in the Commonwealth

Overview

  • Bill: SD 901 (Senate Docket No. 901)
  • Title: An Act to SAVE tax dollars in the Commonwealth
  • Purpose: Require state agencies to use the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to verify eligibility when public benefits or licenses are involved and documentation is unavailable or questionable.
  • Status: House concurred
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Origin: Filed by Sen. Ryan C. Fattman (with Sen. Bruce E. Tarr)

Key Provisions

  • Section added to Chapter 7 of the General Laws (new Section 63):
    • (a) Directs the Secretary of Administration and Finance to require all state agencies under the governor or a secretary that issue public benefits or licenses to register for SAVE. Agencies must use SAVE to verify whether applicants with missing or questionable documentation qualify for benefits or licensure. Registration should be integrated into a uniform eligibility-determination system across these agencies.
    • (b) Requires the Secretary to deliver a written report to the Senate and House committees on Ways and Means and to the clerks of both houses by June 30, 2026. The report must detail steps taken to enroll in and implement SAVE. If an agency has not registered by June 30, 2026, the report must explain why and include a six-month action plan with any legislative recommendations or requested appropriations to achieve SAVE registration.

Affected Parties

  • State agencies under the executive branch responsible for public benefits and licensure (e.g., agencies issuing benefits or licenses).
  • Applicants for public benefits or licenses who may have incomplete or questionable documentation and would undergo SAVE-based verification.

Timelines and Procedural Details

  • Deadline for enrollment and reporting: June 30, 2026.
  • If agencies fail to enroll by the deadline, the secretary must provide a corrective action plan and potential legislative or funding steps to enable enrollment.
  • The bill emphasizes creating a uniform eligibility-determination framework across agencies.

Potential Impacts

  • Administrative: Requires IT enrollment in SAVE and development of a centralized eligibility framework; potential staff training and process redesign.
  • Policy/eligibility: Could tighten scrutiny of eligibility for benefits and licenses, particularly in cases with incomplete documentation.
  • Financial: May necessitate budgetary requests for implementation costs (enrollment, IT integration, training) as part of the six-month action plans.
  • Privacy and civil rights: Introduces SAVE-based verification, which may raise questions about data use, accuracy, and applicant rights—though the bill does not detail protections beyond the reporting requirement.

Legislative Context

  • Similar matter previously filed: Senate No. 1998 (2023-2024).
  • Action history: Filed January 15, 2025; referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight; status indicates House concurrence.

This bill would formalize SAVE-based verification across Massachusetts state agencies for benefits and licensure, with a concrete reporting deadline and remediation steps if agencies lag in enrollment.

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

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