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S 119

Police Officer Retirement System

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Adams

Massachusetts creates a state loan repayment program for human service workers to recruit and retain staff in underserved areas, with awards up to $6k/$20k/$30k and 1-3 year service

Referred to Committee on Finance
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Bill Summary · S 119

Bill Summary — S.119 (2025)

Title: An Act establishing a loan repayment program for human services workers
Introduced: January 16, 2025
Primary sponsor (Senate): Sal N. DiDomenico
Placement in law: Adds Section 16AA to Chapter 6A of the Massachusetts General Laws

Purpose / Intent

Create a state-administered student loan repayment program to recruit and retain human services workers in Massachusetts, with emphasis on equity and staffing support in communities facing large health disparities.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a "student loan repayment program for human service workers" administered by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) with program guidelines promulgated by the Department of Higher Education.
  • Defines key terms:
    • "Human service provider": community-based organizations with human services programs funded by EOHHS, Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, or the Department of Early Education and Care.
    • "Human services worker": an employee of such a provider who delivers treatment, support, or services to clients/families.
    • "Qualified education loan": indebtedness (including interest) incurred to pay tuition or direct education expenses for certificates/undergraduate/graduate degrees; excludes loans made by a person related to the applicant.
  • Employment eligibility:
    • Must work a minimum of 35 hours per week as a human services worker.
    • Must have maintained at least 12 consecutive months of employment at 35+ hours/week to qualify.
  • Award amounts (per participant):
    • Up to $6,000 for applicants with an associate degree.
    • Up to $20,000 for applicants with a bachelor’s degree.
    • Up to $30,000 for applicants with a master’s degree.
  • Service commitments required in an eligible setting:
    • 1 year for associate degree recipients.
    • 2 years for bachelor’s degree recipients.
    • 3 years for master’s degree recipients.
  • Prioritization and eligibility criteria:
    • The statute authorizes creation of prioritization rules and award amounts.
    • The bill specifies priority should be given to applicants who:
    • Have at least 3 years’ experience in the human services field;
    • Work in an “Advancing Health Equity in Massachusetts (AHEM)” priority geographic area;
    • Earn less than $60,000 annually; and
    • Attest to ability to communicate with consumers and provide care in a language other than English that aligns with the needs of their work site.
  • Defines AHEM priority geographic areas by name (examples include: Athol, Attleboro, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Dorchester, Fall River, Fitchburg, Gardner, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Roxbury, Springfield, Worcester, Yarmouth, and others — full list appears in bill text).

Who is affected

  • Eligible participants: current human services workers employed full-time (35+ hours/week) at qualifying community-based providers who have qualifying student loan debt and the required tenure.
  • Employers: community-based human services providers funded by the listed state agencies may benefit in recruitment and retention.
  • Populations served: clients in AHEM communities and other underserved areas may see improved access to staffed services.

Administration, timeline & implementation

  • EOHHS will administer the program; the Department of Higher Education will issue program guidelines and any eligibility/prioritization rules.
  • The bill does not appropriate funding or state a program cap, timeline for awards, or the application process — those details would be set administratively or require subsequent appropriation.
  • Service commitments are tied to award levels (1–3 years as noted).

Legislative status (select actions)

  • Introduced in the Senate: 2025-01-16.
  • Referred to various committees (Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities; Judiciary; Housing, Construction and Community Development; Senate Ways & Means; Codes) at different points per chamber actions.
  • Hearing scheduled May 13, 2025 (A-1).
  • Reported favorably by committee and passed by the Senate: 2025-05-28.
  • Delivered to the House/Assembly and referred to Codes (as of 2025-05-28).
  • Note: the bill history lists multiple duplicate entries and referrals; check the official Legislative Information System for the most current procedural status.

Related / companion measures

  • SD 1820 (replacement), S.6691 (prior session), A.1506 (companion in the House), HR 563 (companion).
  • Petition signers in the Senate include a number of state senators listed in the bill text (e.g., Joanne Comerford, James Hawkins, Kathleen LaNatra, etc.).

Fiscal and policy considerations

  • Direct dollar amounts per individual award are specified, but the bill contains no appropriation language or total program funding cap.
  • Implementation will require administrative rules and likely budget authorization; absent appropriations, the program cannot distribute awards.
  • Potential impacts include improved recruitment/retention of human services staff, increased service capacity in priority communities, and targeted support for lower-wage, bilingual, or experienced frontline workers.
  • Additional implementation details to watch: application process, total annual award pool, verification of service commitments, enforcement/recapture provisions if recipients do not fulfill service obligations, and coordination between EOHHS and the Department of Higher Education.

Notes / caveats

  • The text of the bill is focused on program structure and priorities but leaves funding, program scale, and many procedural elements to be established administratively or by subsequent budgetary action.
  • For the definitive legislative status and any amendments, consult the Massachusetts Legislature’s official docket.

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

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