Massachusetts H 5090: An Act supporting the development of children experiencing homelessness

Bill Text

HOUSE . . . . . . . . No. 5090

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, February 11, 2026.
The committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, to
whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 215) of
Marjorie C. Decker for legislation to provide services to certain children
experiencing homelessness, reports recommending that the accompanying
bill (House, No. 5090) ought to pass.

For the committee,

JAY D. LIVINGSTONE.

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FILED ON: 2/6/2026
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 5090

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act supporting the development of children experiencing homelessness.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:

1 SECTION 1. Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition,
2 is hereby amended by adding after section 248 the following section:-
3 Section 249. Upon a family’s entry to a temporary emergency assistance shelter, domestic
4 violence shelter, substance abuse and recovery shelter or non-emergency assistance shelter,
5 children ages zero to three years shall be automatically referred for early intervention assessment
6 within thirty (30) days of entry into shelter, according to department of public health operational
7 standards. Early intervention services shall be rendered once an evaluation and determination of
8 need has been established by an early intervention professional.
9 SECTION 2. The department shall adopt regulations or policies and remove procedural barriers
10 for the administration of this act within 120 days of the effective date of this act.