Budget & Taxes

Senate, July 16, 2026 -- Text of the Senate amendment to the House Bill relative to economic development in the commonwealth (House, No. 5576) [This legislation authorizes $325,100,000 in bond obligations and $100,000,000 in direct fiscal year 2026 appropriations from the Education and Transportation Fund.]

This bill allocates $425 million from the General Fund for supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, with funds transferable to state agencies and workforce programs. It adds new requirements for the emergency housing assistance program, including mandatory disclosure of prior criminal convictions (excluding sealed/expunged records) and criminal record checks for applicants. The bill limits eligibility for certain families to six consecutive months of benefits, with hardship waivers available for veterans or those facing domestic violence. It also mandates written notices before benefit termination, multilingual resource handouts for participants, and updated eligibility procedures.