Bill
H 4115
Massachusetts bill creates an Immigrant Legal Assistance Fund to fund undocumented-immigrant legal counsel and restricts local/state agencies from sharing immigration status with f
Note on source materials: The documents provided contain two different measures combined under the label “H.4115.” One is a Massachusetts bill introduced by Rep. Danillo A. Sena that creates an Immigrant Legal Assistance Fund and limits local-to-federal immigration reporting. The other is a South Carolina House resolution declaring “Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome Awareness Day.” This summary describes both items, and highlights the apparent drafting/compilation conflict.
Status & key procedural dates
- Introduced by Rep. Danillo A. Sena; referred to the Judiciary Committee on 5/12/2025.
- Legislative activity entries show “Senate concurred” (5/15/2025) and hearings scheduled for 11/25/2025.
- Text would amend Chapters 29 and 276 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Purpose / intent
- To expand access to legal counsel for undocumented immigrants and to limit state and local law enforcement sharing of immigration-status information with federal authorities.
Major provisions
1. Immigrant Legal Assistance Fund (new Section 2KKKKKK to Chapter 29)
- Establishes a separate “Immigrant Legal Assistance Fund” administered by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC).
- Eligible use: award funding to organizations that represent and provide legal counsel to undocumented immigrants in court.
- Funding sources: state appropriations or other legislative designations; interest earned; private-sector contributions (local immigration agencies, non-profits, foundations); federal grants and other gifts/donations.
- Money credited to the fund is not subject to further appropriation and does not revert to the General Fund at fiscal year-end.
- Reporting: MLAC must submit an annual report on fund activity by December 31 to legislative committee chairs (Judiciary; House and Senate Ways & Means) and clerks of the House and Senate.
Who is affected
- Undocumented immigrants (would gain access to funded legal representation).
- Nonprofit legal service providers and MLAC (administration and grant recipients).
- Local and state law enforcement agencies (new restrictions, supervisory authorization, documentation requirements).
- Federal immigration authorities (access to local/state information would be limited under the bill’s terms).
Potential impacts / considerations
- Could increase legal representation for undocumented persons in Massachusetts courts.
- Places statutory limits and procedural requirements on local-state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement (potential legal, operational, and intergovernmental implications).
- Creates a non-reverting dedicated funding vehicle with annual reporting requirements to the Legislature.
Status & key procedural dates
- Texts presented as House Resolutions (dated 03/04/2025). Declares a specific observance date: February 3, 2026.
Purpose / intent
- To declare February 3, 2026, as “Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome (TSWS) Awareness Day” in South Carolina and to encourage public education and prevention.
Major content / findings asserted in the resolution
- Describes TSWS (also called Topical Steroid Addiction or Red Skin Syndrome) as a severe condition resulting from topical steroid exposure.
- Notes topical steroids’ widespread use for conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata.
- Describes common TSWS symptoms: intense burning and itching, flushing, widespread rashes, profuse flaking; symptoms may exceed the original disease and can appear during use, between treatments, or after discontinuation.
- Notes long recovery timelines (months to years) and significant functional impacts (bedridden, unable to work or attend school).
- Cites mental health impacts: claims 81% of adults and 56% of children with TSWS report anxiety or depression; 47% of adults and 11% of children report suicidal ideation.
- Calls attention to limited research, lack of diagnostic criteria, treatment protocols, and provider/patient education.
Who is affected
- South Carolina patients who use topical steroids, healthcare providers, caregivers, and public-health educators.
Potential impacts
- Symbolic/educational resolution: raises awareness, may prompt public-health outreach, provider education, and interest in research but does not allocate funding or change clinical standards by itself.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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