An Act the Commonwealth housing, economic, education and equity in recovery and reconstruction

This bill, the CHEEERR ACT (Commonwealth Housing, Economic, Education and Equity in Recovery and Reconstruction Act), creates a new Massachusetts Bureau on Social and Economic Equity to address pandemic-related disparities disproportionately affecting Black and Latino communities. It establishes the bureau to manage a fund targeting "unmet community needs" in defined "disparately impacted communities" (including areas with higher Black/Latino COVID infection rates, medically underserved areas, or low/moderate income neighborhoods) and supports Black or Latino-owned small businesses in those areas. Key mechanisms include defining eligibility criteria for communities and businesses, creating an administrator position with specific appointment rules, and requiring the bureau to monitor state policies related to pandemic recovery. The bill directly affects residents in designated communities and small business owners meeting the defined criteria.