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

HD 125 creates the Massachusetts Bureau on Social and Economic Equity in Recovery and Reconstruction (the "Bureau") to address longstanding disparities affecting Black and Latino communities in Massachusetts, particularly those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The bill establishes the "CHEEERRS Corps," a service program where individuals commit to up to 24 months of work in underserved communities addressing unmet needs like education, health, and environmental issues. It defines "disparately impacted communities" as areas with high pandemic infection rates among Black/Latino residents, medically underserved areas, or low/moderate-income neighborhoods (based on income thresholds and unemployment data). The Bureau will manage a dedicated equity fund to support community projects and monitor state policies, aiming to reduce systemic inequities through targeted programs and community-driven solutions.