WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SD 3116

Department of Transitional Assistance Organizational Annual Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

SD 3116 codifies the annual DTA Organizational Report to document structure, programs, staffing, and integrity measures, increasing transparency and oversight.

Placed on file
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 3116

Summary: SD 3116 — Department of Transitional Assistance Organizational Annual Report

Purpose and status

  • Bill number: SD 3116
  • Title: Department of Transitional Assistance Organizational Annual Report
  • Purpose: Codifies or reinforces the annual reporting requirement describing the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) organization and reviewing the agency’s work, consistent with Section 10 of Chapter 18 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
  • Status: Placed on file on August 7, 2025
  • Introduced: August 7, 2025
  • Classification: Proposed bill

What the bill covers

The accompanying bill text centers on the Annual Department of Transitional Assistance Organizational Report, which is an existing statutory requirement. The content provided for the report (November 2024 edition) outlines:
- DTA’s mission: To assist and empower low-income individuals and families to meet basic needs and pursue long-term economic self-sufficiency through nutrition assistance, economic assistance, and employment supports.
- Programs administered:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Federally funded; state-administered with 50% of administration costs covered by the Commonwealth.
- Healthy Incentives Program (HIP): Credits SNAP households’ EBT accounts for healthy produce purchases at Massachusetts farm retailers.
- Summer EBT: Federal option Massachusetts joined, benefited families with school-aged children during summer vacation (benefits began July 29, 2024).
- Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC): State and federally funded TANF-based program offering financial assistance and employment supports.
- Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC): State-funded assistance for eligible seniors, disabled individuals, and children.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and State Supplemental Payments (SSP): Federal program with optional state-funded SSP administered by UMass Medical School for DTA.
- Employment Service Programs (PATHWAYS TO WORK): Employment services for TAFDC clients; SNAP Path to Work program to build skills and employment supports.
- Agency staffing and organization:
- Approximately 1,890 employees (as of Sept. 2024) across the Commonwealth.
- SNAP workforce: 741 staff (566 caseworkers, 175 supervisors).
- Economic assistance workforce: 486 staff (128 supervisors).
- Local offices: 20; supplemental staff supporting office operations, including interpreters and administrative roles (total local office staff around 309, with 65 in managerial roles).
- Ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts (revised hiring practices, mentorship programs, employee resource groups).
- Oversight and program integrity: DTA emphasizes rigorous eligibility oversight, compliance, and fraud detection practices.

Key provisions and changes

  • The bill anchors the requirement to publish an annual organizational report describing:
    • The structure and leadership of DTA (organizational charts included).
    • A review of the department’s work, programs, and integrity measures.
    • Staffing details, office locations, and ongoing workforce development efforts.
    • Notable initiatives, including DEI efforts and anticipated changes (e.g., new office openings).
  • The report is to cover program descriptions, funding sources (state and federal), and partnerships, with an emphasis on transparency and accountability.

Who is affected

  • Primary: DTA and its workforce, including local transitional assistance offices and administrative units.
  • Beneficiaries: SNAP recipients, TAFDC/EAEDC participants, SSI/SSP recipients, and participants in PATHWAYS and SNAP Path to Work.
  • Stakeholders: Commonwealth residents, community partners, and legislators seeking oversight of DTA operations and program integrity.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • The information reflects the November 2024 DTA Organizational Report.
  • The 2025 bill reinforces the requirement and makes the annual reporting framework accessible to the Legislature.
  • Notable upcoming item mentioned in the report: a new community-based transitional assistance office opening at 1785 Columbus Ave, Boston, in early 2025.

Bottom line

SD 3116 appears to formalize or reaffirm the annual DTA organizational report, ensuring ongoing transparency about DTA’s structure, programs, staffing, and integrity measures. It does not introduce new benefit provisions but emphasizes clear reporting and accountability for the agency’s operations and future planning.

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

Sign in to ask a question.