HD 1085 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness

HD 1085 requires Massachusetts to provide free state identification cards to homeless adults and unaccompanied homeless youth (under age 24 without stable housing or parental care). The bill mandates that state ID regulations include a fee waiver process and allow alternative proof of residency, such as documentation from homeless shelters, youth services, or state housing/human services agencies. It also requires the state registrar and secretary to create a formal agreement to implement these provisions. This directly affects individuals experiencing homelessness by removing financial and residency barriers to obtaining official identification. The policy change creates a concrete pathway for this population to access essential services requiring ID.
Bill status Introduction 0 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor