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S 979

Establishes the offense of aggravated reckless driving

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 8 co-sponsors

S 979 restricts emergency housing aid to Massachusetts residents who have lived in the state for at least 1 year, overriding other rules and excluding recent arrivals.

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 979

Summary — S 979 (2025): "An Act ensuring fair housing for homeless families"

Main purpose

S 979 would limit eligibility for the state’s emergency housing assistance program by adding a residency-duration requirement. The bill amends Section 30 of Chapter 23B of the General Laws so that emergency housing assistance is available only to persons who have been residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for at least one year.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 30 of Chapter 23B (as previously amended by sec. 120 of ch. 7 of the Acts of 2023).
  • Adds a single, controlling sentence after the first paragraph: “Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the emergency housing assistance program established herein shall be available only to residents of the commonwealth who have resided in the commonwealth for at least 1 year.”
  • The language is explicit that the 1-year residency requirement supersedes any conflicting law, rule, or regulation.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: Individuals and families who are homeless or seeking emergency housing assistance in Massachusetts but who have lived in the Commonwealth for less than one year. This may include recent arrivals, people returning after a period out of state, and some recent movers between Massachusetts localities.
  • Secondary: State agencies and programs that administer emergency housing assistance (e.g., housing authorities, emergency shelter providers), local municipalities that coordinate emergency housing, and nonprofit service providers who assist people experiencing homelessness.
  • Fiscal impact: Could change caseload composition for emergency housing programs and affect short-term program expenditures; specific budget impacts are not provided in the bill text.

Procedural status and timeline (as provided)

  • Filed (Senate docket): 1/14/2025 (Senate No. 979)
  • Introduced in Senate: 3/12/2025
  • Read twice and referred to committee (various entries indicate referral to Housing, Armed Services, Transportation; see note below)
  • Reported and committed to the Committee on Ways and Means/Codes (listed as “REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO CODES”) on 5/13/2025
  • Hearing scheduled (per record) for 10/15/2025, 1:00–5:00 PM in A-1

Note: the legislative action entries provided include multiple, overlapping referrals and dates. The core change described above is the substantive amendment to Section 30 of Chapter 23B.

Considerations and potential effects

  • Eligibility restriction: The bill establishes a clear time-based eligibility cutoff that would exclude recent arrivals from emergency housing assistance regardless of other statutes or administrative rules.
  • Administrative implementation: Agencies would need to verify residency duration, potentially requiring new documentation procedures.
  • Policy and legal questions: The “notwithstanding” clause is designed to override conflicting rules; this could raise statutory or constitutional questions in particular cases depending on federal or state anti-discrimination laws, veterans’ benefits rules, or other statutory programs.
  • Service providers: Nonprofits and local governments may see shifts in demand and may need to adapt referral practices.

Related measures and sponsors (as provided)

  • Related docket: SD 626 (replaces)
  • Companion bill: A 3943
  • Sponsors listed in the provided record (note: some sponsor listings appear inconsistent with jurisdictional norms).

If you’d like, I can draft plain-language talking points, estimate likely administrative steps for implementation, or compare this eligibility change to current emergency housing rules.

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

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