# Massachusetts H 5555: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements Massachusetts H 5555, An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements, is a 194th General Court (2025-2026) House bill sponsored by FY27 General Appropriation; status signed, last action 2026-07-09 (Signed by the Governor, Chapter 137 of the Acts of 2026); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MA-H5555-194 - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Massachusetts H 5555 - State: Massachusetts - Session: 194th General Court (2025-2026) - Title: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-07-01 - Last action: 2026-07-09, Signed by the Governor, Chapter 137 of the Acts of 2026 - Sponsor: FY27 General Appropriation - Cosponsors: 0 - Subjects: House Steering, Policy and Scheduling - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 2 (284 yes, 12 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 528 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Payment for Massachusetts poet laureate: benefit, high. The official Massachusetts Poet Laureate receives an honorarium of at least $25,000. The recipient must hold the official position established under Executive Order No. 640. The law does not set a payment schedule. - Cancer treatment coverage for eligible residents: benefit, high. MassHealth benefits are available to people needing treatment for breast or cervical cancer. Income, as determined by the executive office, must be no more than 250% of the federal poverty level. Coverage remains subject to continued federal approval. - Guaranteed child care for eligible families: benefit, high. The law provides about $597.234 million for child care and guarantees supportive care without waiting lists for eligible children. Covered groups include children with active child-welfare cases, qualifying current or former transitional-aid families, teen parents, and SNAP-training families. Trans… - Health and drug support for HIV: benefit, high. The law funds MassHealth benefits for people diagnosed with HIV whose income is no more than 200% of the federal poverty level. For Health Safety Net fiscal years 2026 and 2027, trust funds can also pay participating patients’ HIV Drug Assistance Program costs. Transfers require the finance secreta… - Health coverage funding for higher-income children: benefit, high. The law funds MassHealth benefits for qualifying children and teens in households earning above 150% of the federal poverty level. The executive office determines household income. It also funds specified state health care subsidies. This provision does not state benefit amounts or a complete set o… - Health coverage routes protected for children: benefit, high. The state must spend all necessary funds to provide the Children's Medical Security Plan for uninsured children age 18 or younger. Before enrollment, applicants must be denied MassHealth eligibility other than MassHealth Limited. Maximum plan benefits are available only to children found ineligible… - MassHealth coverage for former foster youth: benefit, high. People who age out of Massachusetts Department of Children and Families custody remain eligible for MassHealth. Coverage continues through the age limit in MassHealth’s approved state plan. This provision does not state that age limit. - Seniors gain care access and protections: benefit, high. Senior Care Options counts applicants and members as 65 on the first day of their 65th-birthday month. Other eligibility rules still apply. In FY2027, community-based waiver funding for eligible older MassHealth members cannot fall below the FY2026 service level. Eligibility cannot become stricter… - Veterans gain health eligibility and fee protections: benefit, high. Massachusetts medical assistance excludes chapter 115 payments to or for veterans, surviving spouses, and dependents from income. Awards under chapter 115, section 6B still count. Chelsea veterans' home admission and hospitalization charges cannot exceed FY2026 amounts. Holyoke's FY2026 ceiling als… - Housing help for low-income households: benefit, high. Eligible households can get up to $7,000 in help securing or keeping housing in any 12-month period. Households at or below 30% of area median income must face homelessness or be moving from homelessness into housing. Households above 30% and up to 50% qualify when moving from homelessness into hou… - More qualifying paths to family shelter: benefit, high. Families can qualify after fleeing domestic violence without finding safe permanent housing, or after a no-fault fire, flood, or disaster. Covered cases also include specified no-fault involuntary evictions, places not meant for living, and seriously unsafe housing. Substantial health and safety ri… - College cost help for foster youth: benefit, high. Eligible students in Department of Children and Families custody under a care and protection petition can get college aid. They must start at a public or private college by age 18 and exhaust other financial support first. Aid is capped at $6,000 per year, and recipients need not remain in custody… - Tuition help for community college students: benefit, high. The law provides $137.048 million for community college tuition and fees left after federal and state grants. Students with household income at or below 125% of state median income may receive up to $1,200 yearly for other expenses. Tuition and fee increases cannot exceed the lower of the law’s pri… - Tuition waiver funding for Guard students: benefit, high. The law provides about $5.33 million to reimburse Massachusetts public colleges for eligible National Guard students’ tuition and fee waivers. Waivers include summer classes at state universities, community colleges, and University of Massachusetts campuses. Students must receive the waiver authori… - Tuition waivers for students with disabilities: benefit, high. The law provides $5 million for inclusive college courses; state institutions must waive course tuition for eligible students. At least $2 million goes to the program’s trust fund. The program generally serves students with severe disabilities ages 18–22; those ages 18–19 must be unable to meet the… - State aid supports city and town budgets: benefit, high. The law provides about $1.363 billion in unrestricted aid to Massachusetts cities and towns for the year ending June 30, 2027. Each municipality receives the amount listed in the law’s distribution table. The aid is not reserved for a specific household service or direct payment. - State funding supports pensions and retiree benefits: benefit, high. The law transfers $400 million from the General Fund to the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund for fiscal year 2027. That funding period ends June 30, 2027. Required Pension Liability Fund funding is about $5.131 billion in 2027, $5.336 billion in 2028, and $5.549 billion in 2029. Adjustments can on… - State funding supports local public schools: benefit, high. The law provides about $7.658 billion in school aid for fiscal year 2027. Aid follows the state's school funding rules. Recipients include cities, towns, regional districts, counties with agricultural schools, and independent vocational, agricultural, and technical schools. This money supports scho… - Communication access for deaf residents: benefit, medium. The law funds communication access at State House public hearings and meetings, including interpreters for deaf and hard-of-hearing attendees. The Commission for the Blind must work with the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on deaf-blind services. They must provide assistance through the… - Disability abuse hotline callers get privacy: benefit, medium. The law funds a computerized registry of people found responsible for abuse that qualifies for registry entry. The registry covers abuse of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Every caller to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission’s 24-hour hotline must be offered the choice… - Legal help for disadvantaged Massachusetts residents: benefit, medium. The law provides $51 million to the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation for legal representation. Services support Massachusetts residents who are poor or otherwise disadvantaged. Funding includes disability benefits, Medicare advocacy, and domestic violence legal assistance projects. - Legal representation for low-income clients: benefit, medium. At least 20% of indigent clients served by the Committee for Public Counsel Services must be represented by public defenders. The committee must assign public defenders to district and superior courts where feasible. The law also provides $3.415072 million for the Mental Health Legal Advisors Commi… - Reduced transit fares for low-income riders: benefit, medium. The law allows MBTA transfer funds to support income-based reduced fares across all MBTA travel modes. The provision does not state the income limit, fare discount, or funding amount for this program. - Support for families of homicide victims: benefit, medium. The law provides $610,000 for statewide support for survivors of homicide victims and their families. Services include outreach, burial assistance, grief counseling, and other support. The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute must distribute at least $100,000 in grants to Massachusetts Survivors of Homic… - Stronger safety oversight for assisted living: benefit, medium. The law requires at least $500,000 for assisted-living safety and oversight across Massachusetts. Spending supports recommendations from the assisted living residences commission. It also supports better safety standards, emergency planning, and oversight. The money funds implementation rather than… - Regional riders get free fares and connections: benefit, medium. The law directs at least $40 million to maintain year-round fare-free service at participating regional transit authorities. At least $10 million funds routes linking existing transit with local job and business centers. Route grants prioritize ridership growth, longer single-trip travel, low-incom… - Year-round ferries for Boston-area riders: benefit, medium. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority must run its ferries and contracted ferry services year-round through June 30, 2027. This includes routes that ran seasonally in FY2026 in East Boston, Lynn, Quincy, and Winthrop. The provision requires continued service but does not specify a fare cha… - Cash aid standards protected for households: benefit, medium. The law protects need and payment standards for Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children. Fiscal year 2027 standards cannot fall below fiscal year 2026 levels; fiscal year 2028 standards cannot fall below this item's standards. The… - Cash allowances and support for families: benefit, medium. TAFDC households get $40 monthly if they pay rent or a mortgage and do not live in public or subsidized housing. Beginning September 1, 2026, a one-time clothing allowance provides $500 per child eligible for TAFDC in September 2026. That allowance is included in September's standard of need. The l… - Child care funding for lower-income families: benefit, medium. The law provides about $623.594 million for income-eligible early education and child care. It also allows payments for qualifying teen parents and homeless families likely to qualify for transitional aid. Access must be fairly spread across the state, and providers receive payment based on enrollm… - Community mental health capacity stays protected: benefit, medium. In fiscal year 2027, the Department of Mental Health must maintain community placement numbers at the levels in each prior three years. It must also spend at least as much on adult mental health clubhouses as it spent in fiscal year 2026. These rules protect program capacity and funding, but do not… - Continued residential care for disability clients: benefit, medium. The law requires full-year funding for continued residential services for a specified group of developmental disability clients transitioning at age 22. Covered clients began services in FY2025 under budget item 5920-5000 of the 2024 law. The provision does not state a funding amount. - County jail patients get treatment funding: benefit, medium. Fiscal year 2027 funds medication-assisted treatment in eight counties’ sheriff facilities. Hampshire receives $222,721; Essex about $1.953 million; Barnstable $786,480; Bristol $549,587; and Dukes $50,179. Norfolk receives $855,328; Plymouth about $1.493 million; and Suffolk about $2.904 million.… - Crisis and mental health support for youth: benefit, medium. For fiscal year 2027, the law requires at least $6.5 million for the Department of Mental Health's youth crisis initiative. It helps stabilize youth and supports avoiding or leaving emergency-room care when appropriate. Two federal pediatric mental health access expansion grants receive $175,000 an… - Dental and vision help for state employees: benefit, medium. Eligible active state employees pay 15% of monthly dental and vision premiums set by the Group Insurance Commission. The law funds the remaining premium cost. Employees of authorities and other political subdivisions are excluded. Employees covered through a separate budget item, contract, or union… - Early intervention for children in shelters: benefit, medium. Each child under age 3 must receive an early intervention referral within 30 days after entering a covered shelter. Covered shelters include emergency assistance, domestic violence, substance use and recovery, and non-emergency assistance shelters. A certified professional must evaluate the child.… - Free HIV prevention for public employees: benefit, medium. The Group Insurance Commission must cover approved HIV prevention drugs and specified support services without patient cost sharing. This covers active and retired Commonwealth employees insured through the commission. Plans cannot require prior approval, step therapy, or other steps that restrict… - Free school meals and nutrition funding: benefit, medium. For FY2027, the law provides $180 million for free school meals; funded districts cannot charge students. Eligible districts must adopt federal meal options, including Community Eligibility or Provision 2, to maximize federal funding. Another $5.31 million reimburses local lunch and special milk co… - Funding supports preventive and chronic disease care: benefit, medium. The law provides about $14 million for chronic disease prevention and care, including tobacco cessation, dental services, and disease screening. It requires minimum funding for smoking prevention, Alzheimer's education, and named health programs and organizations. Mass in Motion community grants mu… - Funding supports suicide prevention and crisis help: benefit, medium. The law provides about $14.42 million for statewide and community suicide prevention, crisis help, follow-up support, and tracking. Funding also supports a statewide plan, older-adult services, and a veterans-in-crisis hotline. At least $30,000 must support Hope Squad peer-to-peer prevention in sch… - Funding supports survivors and teen violence prevention: benefit, medium. The law provides about $84.06 million for sexual-assault and domestic-violence services, including crisis housing, nurse examiners, prevention, and family support. At least $1 million must promote healthy relationships and prevent dating violence among teens of all sexualities and genders. Those pr… - Grants fund practical help for veterans: benefit, medium. The Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center receives at least $100,000; Vietnam Veterans of America’s Massachusetts chapter receives $75,000 for benefit-claim help. Veterans Inc. receives $500,000 for services including job training and substance use treatment. Operation Troop Support receives $50,000 f… - HIV prevention offered before prison release: benefit, medium. State and county correctional facilities must provide eligible inmates information and counseling about HIV prevention drugs before release. HIV-negative inmates committed for at least 30 days must be offered an evaluation with their consent. Eligible, consenting inmates receive a no-cost supply or… - HIV prevention without patient cost sharing: benefit, medium. MassHealth and its covered contractors must cover FDA-approved HIV prevention drugs and qualifying support services without patient cost sharing. Massachusetts health plans covering these drugs also cannot charge cost sharing for them or specified related services. Plans cannot require prior author… - Home care support for older adults: benefit, medium. The law provides about $113.33 million for elder home care case management in FY2027. Services operate through aging service access points or other qualified organizations. At least $1.4 million across items 9110-1630 and 9110-1633 must support recipients of the over-income home care cost-sharing p… - Independent living help for blind residents: benefit, medium. At least $1.1 million must support independent-living services for legally blind residents through qualified nonprofits. Services include rehabilitation, housing help, counseling, accessible devices, and technology. At least $500,000 must be available to the Carroll Center for the Blind. At least $… - Intensive mental health care for youth: benefit, medium. In fiscal year 2027, child-welfare officials must keep the same number of intensive and clinically intensive residential treatment programs as in 2026. The law also requires at least $4.7 million for assertive community treatment for people under age 22. Eligible youth must show serious emotional d… - Lower pharmacy and Medicaid application costs: benefit, medium. The state must spend funds to eliminate pharmacy copayments for all MassHealth members. The provision does not state when the copayments end. People requesting birth verification to establish Medicaid eligibility are exempt from the birth-verification fee. - Medication treatment funding in county facilities: benefit, medium. The fiscal year 2027 budget provides $733,951 for medication-assisted treatment in Worcester County sheriff's facilities. Middlesex County facilities receive $1.539813 million for the same purpose. Each sheriff's office must report participant counts, medication types and doses, and medication cost… - Mental health services and inpatient beds: benefit, medium. In FY2027, the Department of Mental Health must maintain at least 671 inpatient beds, including 45 continuing-care beds at Taunton. Federal grants provide about $20.07 million for community mental health, $576,400 for BSCA mental health grants, and $784,083 for System of Care. At least $250,000 sup… - More family support and youth treatment: benefit, medium. The law provides $35.1 million for family resource centers in fiscal year 2027, including expansion and new centers in coverage gaps. This includes at least $100,000 for Eliot Family Resource Center and at least $3.3 million for juvenile-court mental health advocacy. Centers must follow the funding… - More groups qualify for emergency aid: benefit, medium. The law broadens potential eligibility for Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children. Listed groups include people 65 or older who have applied for benefits under chapter 118A. They also include certain disability caregivers and otherwise eligible MassAbility vocational rehabilitation par… - More mental health access for youth: benefit, medium. The law provides $1.8 million to The Samaritans for suicide prevention, youth outreach, and the Hey Sam text support line. It also requires at least $3.782 million to increase students' access to behavioral telehealth at school. By June 30, 2027, public health officials must report participation, u… - More nutrition funding for WIC families: benefit, medium. The law adds about $15.5 million for Massachusetts WIC nutrition services, alongside federal funding. Women, infants, and children must meet federal WIC eligibility rules to receive services. The provision does not set a per-person benefit increase. - More substance use treatment and overdose help: benefit, medium. At least $460,000 goes to the Boston Public Health Commission for 30 additional transitional support and clinical stabilization treatment beds. Twenty beds are for women and 10 are for men, with stays lasting up to 60 days. At least $1.5 million supports development and expansion of Massachusetts's… - No fees for listed disability services: benefit, medium. The Department of Developmental Services cannot charge user fees for transportation or community day services. It also cannot charge for eligibility decisions or applications and requests to transfer guardianship. - Optional income support for assisted living: benefit, medium. The law allows state agencies to fund an optional Supplemental Security Income payment category for residents of certified assisted-living residences. The Department of Transitional Assistance and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services set income and clinical eligibility rules. Payments… - Path to larger retiree inflation adjustments: benefit, medium. The maximum pension amount used to calculate cost-of-living increases starts at $13,000. The law provides a $1,000 increase after the required reserve credit and an actuarial check. The actuary must certify that reserve assets cover the added pension liability, including that year's required credit… - Psychiatry support for children and parents: benefit, medium. The law requires at least $4.375 million for the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program in fiscal year 2027. This includes at least $675,000 for mental health support during pregnancy and after childbirth. That support includes substance-use education, training, consultation, and care coordi… - Regional mental healthcare for incarcerated people: benefit, medium. Fiscal year 2027 provides about $1.82 million for a regional behavioral evaluation and stabilization unit in existing Middlesex County facilities. It provides forensic mental-health services for people in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Nantucket, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk sherif… - Respite support for complex-care families: benefit, medium. Early intervention funding includes respite for families of enrolled children with complex care requirements, multiple disabilities, and extensive medical needs. Low- and moderate-income families receive priority for respite. Eligibility cannot change before April 1, 2027, and lawmakers must receiv… - Sponsor income cannot limit emergency aid: benefit, medium. Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children cannot count a sponsor’s income against recipients. The program also cannot impose related sponsor restrictions. This removes those barriers to aid, but the provision sets no payment amount. - Transportation covered for early intervention families: benefit, medium. MassHealth must cover transportation costs for members participating in the early intervention program. This provision does not state a per-person dollar limit. - Wellness support for Suffolk correctional officers: benefit, medium. The law funds a three-year, $2 million wellness pilot for correctional officers in the Suffolk sheriff's office. It includes training, peer support, added administrative support and supervision, behavioral-health referrals, and expanded services. The office must report on the pilot's effects by Mar… - Work transitions get family cash support: benefit, medium. The law allows extra aid for Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children households whose benefits drop after lost earnings. This applies when budgeting based on past income causes the benefit reduction. At least $1 million must fund cash and transportation help for newly employed clients.… - Easier changes to some existing homes: benefit, medium. Covered existing structures or residential uses can be expanded or changed without a special-permit authority's finding. Their zoning mismatch must involve lot size, shape, frontage, lot coverage, or floor-area ratio. The work must meet current height, story, and setback rules. The law also removes… - Eviction legal help for low-income residents: benefit, medium. The law provides $3 million for legal help in eviction cases for low-income tenants and owner-occupants. The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation can distribute the money to designated nonprofit groups, subject to appropriation. The funding increases access to lawyers but does not guarantee r… - Families keep shelter aid during appeals: benefit, medium. Families already receiving shelter aid can keep receiving aid after being found ineligible for continuing benefits. They must file a timely appeal under the state housing appeals process. Aid remains available while that appeal is pending. - Funding floors for veterans' housing services: benefit, medium. Each covered veterans' homelessness service must receive at least its FY2026 appropriation in FY2027. At least $175,000 goes to Volunteers of America of Massachusetts for transitional employment development. That work serves people recovering from mental health and substance use disorders. At least… - Funding for renters using federal vouchers: benefit, medium. The law provides $588 million for Massachusetts's federally funded Housing Choice Voucher and Moving to Work Program. It also provides $11.5 million for the Federal Housing Voucher Program. These funds support participating renters, but these provisions do not set household voucher amounts or eligi… - Help families avoid and leave shelters: benefit, medium. The law provides $5 million for services that help homeless families avoid emergency assistance shelters. Services target families eligible, or likely to become eligible, under item 7004-0101, according to executive office guidance. Families entering shelter, a motel, or a hotel must receive housin… - Higher rent limits for voucher renters: benefit, medium. Beginning July 1, 2026, rent limits for mobile vouchers issued or leased from that date are 110% of applicable fair market rent. The federal benchmark uses unit size and either area-wide or small-area rents, updated annually. For vouchers already leased, the limit applies on the lease anniversary.… - Home energy rebates and weatherization funding: benefit, medium. The FY2027 budget funds two federal home energy rebate grants through the Department of Energy Resources. Funding is about $13.66 million for the IRA-50121 HER grant and $16.12 million for the IRA-50122 HEAR grant. The law also provides $10.5 million for Weatherization Assistance for Low Income Per… - Housing access rules for state voucher renters: benefit, medium. State rental voucher recipients who were at least 60 on June 30, 2026, get first preference for elderly public housing. Every housing authority operating that housing must apply the preference to units vacant on the law's effective date and later. The preference does not guarantee a unit. The law a… - Housing and cash help for homeless youth: benefit, medium. The law provides about $10.54 million in fiscal year 2027 for housing and services for unaccompanied youth. At least $100,000 must fund BAY-CASH direct cash assistance for unaccompanied homeless youth. The law does not set a payment amount for each young person. - Housing help for disability-related needs: benefit, medium. The law directs money to rental subsidies for Department of Mental Health clients. At least $250,000 expands low-threshold safe-haven housing for people with mental illness who have been chronically homeless in Boston. They must be living in a Boston emergency shelter or on the streets. Fiscal year… - Housing help for homeless people with disorders: benefit, medium. The law requires at least $10 million in fiscal year 2027 for low-threshold Housing First housing. It serves homeless people with both substance use and mental health disorders who are at risk of HIV. The law does not set an individual subsidy amount or application process. - Housing help for people leaving prison: benefit, medium. The law provides $3.32 million for a reentry housing pilot, including rental subsidies. Participants must join specified state-funded programs or qualifying nonprofit programs serving people returning from county facilities or state prison. At least $200,000 supports Justice 4 Housing services, and… - Housing support for families and youth: benefit, medium. The law provides $6 million for the federally funded Family Unification Program in fiscal year 2027. It also provides $1.5 million for the federally funded Foster Youth to Independence grant. At least $250,000 continues supportive housing for unaccompanied homeless young adults who identify as LGBT… - Housing support for mental health clients: benefit, medium. The FY2027 budget provides about $17.55 million in rental subsidies for eligible Department of Mental Health clients. The state must set subsidy amounts so payments and commitments stay within that budget. It also provides $700,758 for the federally funded Housing Opportunity for Persons with AIDS… - Permanent housing help for homeless people: benefit, medium. The law provides $5 million to help homeless individuals move quickly into lasting housing. Programs may include job training, temporary help, and permanent supportive housing, and must use providers contracted under item 7004-0102. Up to $2.1 million may sustain low-threshold, provider-sponsored h… - Rent protection for older Somerville residents: benefit, medium. At least $200,000 continues Somerville's short-term housing bridge pilot for residents age 60 or older. Households must face eviction because they cannot consistently pay rent and have income no higher than 80% of area median income. They must also qualify for housing under item 7004-9005 or 7004-9… - Shelter protections for families and children: benefit, medium. Approved households must be placed as close to home as possible unless they request otherwise. For placements over 20 miles away, the state must make best efforts, where practicable, to transfer households within 20 miles promptly. The state must notify the local school department within 5 days and… - Care provider funding must support workers: benefit, medium. Human service providers receiving chapter 257 revenue must use at least 75% for direct-care, frontline, medical, and clinical staff compensation. Allowed uses include hourly pay increases, benefits, shift pay, overtime, hiring and retention bonuses, and recruitment. The rule does not guarantee any… - Career scholarships and adult college aid: benefit, medium. The law provides $5 million in scholarships for public college students pursuing careers identified as in-demand by the state's labor-market study. At least $1.5 million supports municipal-college students seeking an associate degree or certificate. These students must be at least 25 on the first d… - Disability services support jobs and transportation: benefit, medium. The Department of Developmental Services must prioritize transportation based on need. It must support people moving from sheltered-workshop services to community-based jobs. Partnerships with employers and nonprofits must encourage independence and community participation. The provision does not s… - Expense support for shelter workers: benefit, medium. The law funds help overcoming barriers to getting and keeping shelter-related jobs. Support can include transportation, loan repayment, tuition or certification-fee reimbursement, and child care. At least $5 million must be available to shelters contracted under item 7004-0101. Another $5 million m… - Financial aid for public college students: benefit, medium. The law provides $85 million for financial aid to Massachusetts students attending public higher-education institutions. State scholarship rules set who qualifies and how much each student gets. Fiscal year 2027 academic-year funds must be distributed by August 31, 2026. The funding also supports a… - Funding for early college and careers: benefit, medium. The law provides $15.2 million in fiscal year 2027 to develop, launch, and expand early college and career programs. Programs must follow pathway principles jointly developed by the state education and higher education departments. Priority goes to programs serving students underrepresented in coll… - Job help after care or incarceration: benefit, medium. The child welfare department may spend up to $2 million in retained revenue on transitional employment services and administration. It may contract with Roca, Inc. to serve people leaving care, parolees, probationers, youth service releasees, and other residents needing employment help. Separately,… - Loan help supports behavioral health workers: benefit, medium. The Department of Mental Health must create loan forgiveness and tuition reimbursement for clinical behavioral health workers. Covered roles include nurse practitioners, psychologists, psychiatrists, peer counselors, and behavioral health navigators. The department sets eligibility criteria; the pr… - Monthly support for community college trainees: benefit, medium. The TRAIN grant program reserves at least $1.5 million for monthly participant stipends and support services. The law does not set individual stipend amounts. Program administration cannot exceed $100,000. The Department of Higher Education must seek proposals to add community colleges in fiscal ye… - More parents qualify for job services: benefit, medium. Former family cash-assistance recipients may keep receiving employment and training services for up to one year after benefits end. Services may also reach noncustodial parents whose dependent children receive Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Eligible parents under 18 include s… - More uses for workforce training funds: benefit, medium. The Workforce Investment Trust Fund can support existing state or quasi-public workforce programs serving the populations specified in law. It can also support internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning or training. Programs must strengthen workforce opportunities or address skills… - Public retiree earnings threshold rises: benefit, medium. The law raises the specified annual earnings threshold from $15,000 to $25,000 for covered public retirees. The $10,000 increase applies under chapter 32, sections 91 and 91A. It does not replace the other rules governing retirees’ earnings or benefits. - Stronger wage enforcement for construction workers: benefit, medium. The law directs at least $500,000 in FY2027 to a specialized prevailing-wage and construction enforcement unit. The Attorney General's unit must assign at least two investigators each to eastern, central, and western Massachusetts. It must also have a supervising investigator and an assistant attor… - Veteran court employees gain statutory rights: benefit, medium. The law extends chapter 30, section 9A veteran rights to qualifying trial court employees outside the chapter 31 system. Veterans must have held their position for at least one year and completed 30 years of creditable Commonwealth service. Elective jobs, fixed-term appointments, and positions cove… - Small businesses get help starting composting: benefit, medium. The law provides at least $150,000 for environmental department grants helping small businesses implement composting. Grants may pay for containers, education, technical help, regular food-waste pickup, and similar activities. Farm and food-service businesses receive priority. The law does not set… - Funding for disaster preparation and recovery: benefit, medium. FY2027 funding supports named emergency and disaster projects, not set payments to individual households. FFY24 Emergency Management Performance EOC receives $7 million; FFY24 EOC receives $700,000; FY23 regional catastrophic preparedness receives $800,000. Hazardous-materials transportation receiv… - Funding targets overloaded child welfare offices: benefit, medium. The law provides about $320.87 million in fiscal year 2027 for specified Department of Children and Families social-worker costs. Funds must target area offices furthest above the statewide weighted caseload standard. They must move toward the stated statewide ratio of 15 social workers to one case… - New highway safeguards against wrong-way driving: benefit, medium. Massachusetts transportation officials must create and maintain a plan to prevent wrong-way driving on limited-access roads. It includes road features, detection and warning systems, and messages for drivers. A multiyear rollout must rank ramps and intersections by risk, including past incidents an… - Energy bill assistance for low-income households: benefit, medium. The law allocates $166 million for the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in Massachusetts. It also allocates $7 million for the program’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding stream. Both allocations support home energy assistance for low-income households. These… - Funding support for hospital safety-net care: benefit, medium. Certain hospitals can receive up to $70 million for uncompensated care through federally allowed funding methods under state regulations. Those funding sources must be separate from Health Safety Net Trust Fund money. By October 1, 2026, the comptroller must transfer General Fund money to that trus… - Home care and dementia support funding: benefit, medium. The law provides $299.288931 million in FY2027 for home care and other services for older adults. This includes the Community Transition Liaison Program. At least $300,000 goes to the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Alzheimer’s association chapter for a dementia care coordination program. The program m… - MassHealth funding for providers and services: benefit, medium. The law transfers $548.0324 million to the Medical Assistance Trust Fund for services and provider payments. It supports public hospital transformation, health equity incentives, and Medicaid care organization payments. Up to $494.8 million may reach the Cambridge Public Health Commission, directly… - Nutrition funding for women and children: benefit, medium. The law provides $136 million for the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program in FY2027. It also provides $450,000 for the Farmers Market Coupon Program. The WIC funding does not change eligibility or set household benefit amounts. The coupon funding does not specify who qualifies or how muc… - Operating grants support child care providers: benefit, medium. The law provides $475 million in child care provider operating grants for fiscal year 2027. Awards follow the formula in chapter 15D, section 20. Providers must answer Department of Early Education and Care data requests and surveys to qualify. The department must collect information about enrollme… - State helps districts cover special education: benefit, medium. The law provides about $654.645 million for extraordinary special education cost reimbursements to school districts. Fiscal year 2027 reimbursements cover eligible instructional costs and 75% of eligible required out-of-district transportation costs. District payments use fiscal year 2026 claims af… - Unemployment agencies receive operating support: benefit, medium. The law allocates $103.4 million for the federally funded Unemployment Insurance Administration grant. This money supports Massachusetts agencies that administer unemployment insurance. It does not change who qualifies or how much claimants receive. - Federal funding supports Massachusetts capital projects: benefit, medium. For fiscal year 2027, the law allocates about $170.919 million for the federally funded Capital Projects Fund. The provision does not name the projects, household beneficiaries, or a distribution formula. - Federal grants fund Massachusetts broadband deployment: benefit, medium. For fiscal year 2027, the law allocates about $142.23 million and $1.43 million for federally funded broadband deployment grants. Both allocations support the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program. The provisions do not name coverage locations, household eligibility, or a distribution for… - Regional transit gets operating and service funds: benefit, medium. The law provides $217.45 million for regional transit in fiscal year 2027, including at least $66 million for service improvements. Improvements include expanded hours, weekend service, and routes. Within the funding, $123.45 million supports operations; $94 million follows fiscal year 2026 distrib… - Retirement systems must fund cost-of-living reserves: benefit, medium. State employee and teacher retirement systems must put 7.5% of excess investment income into cost-of-living reserves annually, before other required transfers. Other Massachusetts retirement systems can adopt the rule through required board votes and legislative-body approvals. Once a reserve meets… - State reserve pays eligible Massachusetts Turnpike costs: benefit, medium. The law sets aside $125 million for Massachusetts transportation officials to cover eligible Turnpike costs in fiscal year 2027. Costs must fall under section 138 of chapter 27 of the acts of 2009. The reserve covers the Turnpike Authority or its successor. It does not establish a toll change or di… - Higher nursing home care and workforce payments: benefit, medium. For fiscal year 2027, nursing facility Medicaid rates must total at least $342.1 million above the June 30, 2002 rate baseline. At least $25 million must support additional base-rate payments for resident care and workforce costs, including wages, hiring, and training. Those payments exceed the rat… - Higher provider rates support care workers: benefit, medium. The law provides $175 million for human service provider rate increases in fiscal year 2027. Funding preference goes to personnel earning less than $20 per hour. Eligible work includes home care and specified direct-care services for people experiencing homelessness, families, and veterans. Funds e… - Transportation funded for human services clients: benefit, medium. Fiscal year 2027 provides $449.596838 million for transportation for Massachusetts health and human services clients. Departments must use transferred money only for client transportation. When practical, the state must encourage reduced-fare MBTA programs and fare-free regional transit services. T… - Charter school reimbursements support local budgets: benefit, medium. The law provides about $200.4 million for fiscal year 2027 charter tuition and school-facility reimbursements to local governments and districts. It requires payment of at least 100% of the eligible state obligation, with a $1,288-per-pupil facility component. If funds fall short, first priority go… - Federal grants fund student learning support: benefit, medium. For fiscal year 2027, the law funds named federal education grants, not direct household payments. Major amounts include about $302.606 million for Title I Basic, $339.339 million for special education, and $10.888 million for preschool grants. It provides about $13.644 million for adult education… - State sets school aid funding rules: benefit, medium. For fiscal year 2027, Chapter 70 school aid follows the law’s district tables and funding rules. Districts receive the greater of foundation aid or base aid plus minimum aid of $160 per pupil. Low-income enrollment includes qualifying students found through supplemental claims and students identifi… - Candidates gain stronger home address privacy: benefit, low. Public copies of nomination certificates and papers must hide street addresses and other details identifying candidates' homes. Disclosure requires the prescribed written certification, signed under penalties of perjury, solely to verify or challenge legal qualifications. Specified election materia… - Crime victims keep advocacy and compensation: benefit, low. SAFEPLAN advocacy services must stay at least at FY2026 levels during FY2027. Crime victims who were at least 60 when the crime occurred can qualify for compensation without out-of-pocket loss. They must be neither employed nor receiving unemployment compensation. Compensation under this rule is ca… - Free calls through county correctional facilities: benefit, low. Covered calls and other communications through nine county sheriffs' facilities are free to both the sender and recipient. FY2027 funding is Hampshire $108,712; Berkshire $429,193; Franklin $392,076; Essex $1.552291 million; and Barnstable $567,296. Funding also includes Dukes $15,152; Norfolk $784… - Free communications for three county facilities: benefit, low. Covered calls and other communications in Hampden, Worcester, and Middlesex sheriff's facilities are free to both sides. The law provides $538,188 for Hampden, about $1.56 million for Worcester, and about $1.53 million for Middlesex. These funds cannot be spent through the AA or DD budget object cl… - Legal help and support after wrongful convictions: benefit, low. The law provides $3.370268 million for Prisoners' Legal Services, which offers legal help to incarcerated people. It also provides $250,000 to the New England Innocence Project to support people cleared of crimes. Neither appropriation sets an individual award or guaranteed amount of assistance. - Local veterans get transportation and space: benefit, low. The law funds a wheelchair-accessible shuttle bus for veterans in Carver. This provision does not state the funding amount, fares, or rider eligibility rules. Scituate receives at least $50,000 to renovate and convert its WPA building into a veterans’ space. Scituate’s work must be coordinated with… - Public access to child welfare decisions: benefit, low. The Department of Children and Families must maintain a timely, independent, and fair administrative hearing system. Hearing records with personal information removed must be available to the public during regular business hours. After a written request, the department must provide copies of decisi… - Service notices for rape victims: benefit, low. Rape victims must be told about all available services designed to help them. This includes victim services provided under state law. The requirement provides information about assistance, not a specified cash payment. - Young adults keep child welfare support: benefit, low. The Department of Children and Families must maintain existing services for people aging out of care. This duty applies only as far as existing appropriations allow. The provision does not identify services or guarantee a specific service level. - No first-offense safe-driver point surcharge: benefit, low. Safe-driver insurance plans cannot impose an unsafe-driver-point surcharge for a policyholder’s first qualifying non-criminal traffic offense. The protection covers non-criminal motor vehicle traffic violations described in Massachusetts traffic citation law. It does not cover later offenses or eli… - Annual supplements for longtime public pension retirees: benefit, low. After the required Cost of Living Reserve Fund transfer to the Pension Reserve Fund, eligible public pension retirees receive annual supplements. Payments are $100 for 10–under 15 full years retired, $200 for 15–under 20, and $300 for 20 or more. Retirement duration is measured on June 30 of the pr… - Care home residents keep personal allowance: benefit, low. State funds must maintain a $72.80 monthly personal needs allowance for eligible nursing home and rest home residents. Residents must qualify for MassHealth, Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children, or Supplemental Security Income. - Care protections for seniors and disabilities: benefit, low. MassHealth pays nursing facilities for up to 20 medical leave days and 10 non-medical leave days. Hospital observation counts as medical leave only after 24 hours, and facilities cannot reassign beds during reimbursable leave. Further cuts to MassHealth’s personal care attendant program need agreem… - Expense help for SNAP job training: benefit, low. SNAP Path to Work can pay or reimburse expenses needed for program participation. Expenses must be reasonably necessary and directly tied to participation. The law does not set payment limits or a reimbursement formula. - Family care comes first for children: benefit, low. When children need placement outside a parent’s care, the child welfare department must give relatives and family-circle placements highest priority. It must provide the chosen family resource with services and support. Before placing children referred by or discharged from the mental health depart… - Family support funding in Boston: benefit, low. Smart from the Start receives $500,000 for young children and families in underserved Boston communities. Services support healthy child development, family support across generations, and community engagement. The services take families' experiences of trauma into account. The law does not set a p… - Financial help for injured firefighters: benefit, low. Injured firefighters can receive financial assistance through the state treasurer's office. The provision does not state the amount, payment formula, or payment date. - Free diapers for low-income Boston families: benefit, low. The law provides at least $25,000 to Beantown Baby Diaper Bank for its free diaper program. The program serves low-income families in Boston and surrounding communities. This provision does not set an income cutoff or the amount and length of help per family. - Funding expands menstrual equity services: benefit, low. The law directs at least $150,000 to the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Organization for Women. The money sustains and expands its menstrual equity program. This provision does not specify an individual benefit amount. - Funding supports refugee cash and healthcare: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides about $28.6 million for federally funded refugee cash and medical assistance. It also provides about $1.22 million for federally funded refugee health promotion. The grants support the Office for Refugees and Immigrants and refugees served by these programs. T… - Holyoke veterans get an independent advocate: benefit, low. The law funds an ombudsman’s office at the Massachusetts Veterans Home in Holyoke. The office provides an independent, impartial, and confidential resource for residents and the home’s community. This provision does not state the funding amount. - Home visits and learning support for families: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $18.116603 million for newborn and postnatal home visits and parenting education. Low-income parents receive service priority; funding can also support staff retention, workforce incentives, and direct family services. Parent-Child Plus, also called the Parent… - Island patients get medical transportation funding: benefit, low. The law directs funds to Nantucket Cottage Hospital and Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for transportation to off-island medical care. This includes transportation for patients with behavioral-health conditions. This provision does not state the funding amount or help available to each patient. - Local grants support mental healthcare access: benefit, low. Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer receives at least $17,000 for open-access emergency department mental-health follow-up hours and a walk-in clinic. In fiscal year 2027, Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services receives at least $75,000 for mental-health services in Massachusetts. Boston Community Pedia… - Lottery funds support compulsive gambling treatment: benefit, low. The law authorizes up to $500,000 for a compulsive gambling treatment program. Funding comes from specified unclaimed lottery prizes and proceeds from a multi-jurisdictional lottery game. Unclaimed prizes can fund treatment only after more than one year from the drawing date. The law does not set a… - MassHealth keeps vision and chiropractic services: benefit, low. In fiscal year 2027, MassHealth must keep CarePlus vision services at the fiscal year 2026 level. For primary care clinician program members, optional chiropractic services must remain at the fiscal year 2016 level. Those chiropractic services must be included in the state plan or demonstration pro… - Meals and farm food for seniors: benefit, low. The law provides about $14.01 million for elder nutrition in FY2027. At least $750,000 must support Meals on Wheels, and at least $100,000 must support the senior farm share program. Another $520,000 funds the federal Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. These provisions do not set individual b… - Mental health help for older adults: benefit, low. The law provides about $2.46 million for geriatric mental health services in FY2027. Services are for older adults living in the community who have mental health needs. The program offers outreach, counseling, help managing resources, and help finding services. - More community mental health support funding: benefit, low. In fiscal year 2027, at least $1.2 million supports continued staffing growth at Mass211. At least $75,000 supports expanded services at the Mental Health Collaborative. The law also directs at least $250,000 to expand Healthy Lives at the Brookline Community Mental Health Center. These grants supp… - Nutrition help for qualifying low-income workers: benefit, low. The law provides a nutrition benefit for low-income workers. The agency can provide it only when receipt improves the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families work participation rate. This provision does not state the benefit amount or payment schedule. - Oversight of mental health medicine limits: benefit, low. The Commissioner of Mental Health must approve prior authorization and other restrictions on medicines used to treat mental illness. Approval follows the department's written policies, procedures, and regulations. The law does not set a specific coverage level or change patient costs. - Paid donor leave for state employees: benefit, low. Commonwealth employees who participate in a bone marrow donor program can take up to five days of paid leave. The leave covers the procedure and physical recovery. Their pay cannot be reduced. - Primary care funding for uninsured residents: benefit, low. At least $250,000 goes to Volunteer Medical Group of Eastern Massachusetts for startup costs and primary care. Services are for uninsured patients in Allston, Brighton, Watertown, and Waltham. The law does not specify how much care each patient receives. - Safer aftercare planning for mental health: benefit, low. The Department of Mental Health must require development of service standards for safe aftercare options. These standards concern adults leaving acute inpatient mental health care. The law does not promise a specific aftercare service or patient payment. - School breakfast access for qualifying children: benefit, low. The law funds free, nutritious breakfast for all children at participating elementary schools required to serve breakfast. At least 60% of students must qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Breakfast is served during regular school hours under state education rules, but this program creates no… - Suicide prevention services funded for military personnel: benefit, low. The law directs at least $300,000 from the military division appropriation to suicide prevention services for military personnel. The funding supports services rather than a set payment to each person. - Summer meal grants help feed children: benefit, low. The law funds grants to improve summer food programs for children. Priority goes to programs that run through the full summer vacation and increase participation. Applicants must intend to offer full-summer service or serve more children. The department must choose grant recipients by April 1, 2027… - Support for families facing sickle cell: benefit, low. The law provides $250,000 for the Office of Health Equity in fiscal year 2027. At least $250,000 is designated for the Massachusetts Sickle Cell Association. The money supports family services, advocacy, awareness campaigns, and staff expansion. It does not establish a fixed payment to families. - Tewksbury Hospital service revenue supports disability care: benefit, low. The Department of Public Health can spend up to $4.489889 million in Tewksbury Hospital service payments. The money supports care for Department of Developmental Services clients, including behavioral health and continued short-term medical rehabilitation. Spending cannot exceed the authorization o… - Year-round enrollment for prescription assistance: benefit, low. People who qualify for Prescription Advantage can enroll at any time during the year. The law does not change who qualifies. For eligible participants with other prescription coverage, benefits paid by the Executive Office of Aging and Independence or its administrators pay last. This payment order… - Funding for regional housing counseling centers: benefit, low. The law funds housing services and counseling through nine regional housing consumer education centers. Grants use a competitive process with criteria set by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. At least $200,000 supports coordination and technology for the Regional Housing Netw… - Housing support for youth leaving care: benefit, low. At least $300,000 supports young people aging out of Children and Families or Youth Services care or custody. Services must include case management and direct housing help as these young people enter adulthood. Another $400,000 funds a federal grant to improve services for youth experiencing or at… - Recovery housing support for Boston residents: benefit, low. At least $2.24 million goes to Boston for a supportive recovery housing grant program. The grants support contracted service coordinators serving people seeking to continue their recovery. This includes people living in sober or halfway housing. The law does not set individual assistance amounts or… - Senior housing sites stay open: benefit, low. The supportive senior housing program must keep the same number of sites in fiscal year 2027 as in 2026. These sites must be in state- or federally-assisted housing. Hearth, Inc. must receive at least $200,000 for facility upgrades and other improvements. - Service coordinators for public housing residents: benefit, low. The law funds resident service coordinators in state-aided public housing. Funding must be shared fairly across geographic areas. It must include coordinators serving several smaller housing authorities. The provision does not specify a payment to residents or the number of coordinators. - Transfer help for state voucher renters: benefit, low. Participating local housing authorities can help mobile voucher participants move from the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program to another subsidy program. Authorities can take the steps needed to arrange those transfers. This authority does not guarantee eligibility or assistance from the receivin… - Academic support for low-income students: benefit, low. At least $50,000 goes to Steps to Success from after-school and out-of-school program funds. Services provide academic and personal support for low-income students from fourth grade through college graduation. The funding does not create direct payments to students or families. - Advanced Placement test help for students: benefit, low. The law provides $2.25032 million for a statewide program supporting Advanced Placement participation and performance. The state education department must create a test-fee program that can reimburse students based on financial need, with competitive awards. Funds must be disbursed by the start of… - Behavioral health career support for veterans: benefit, low. The law establishes Train Vets to Treat Vets, a behavioral health career development program. The Executive Office of Veterans’ Services works with William James College, Inc. to run it. The program serves veterans seeking behavioral health careers, but this provision sets no individual payment or… - Career and college pathways for students: benefit, low. The law funds school career-pathway programs, favoring opportunities in high-demand industries. Programs must follow guidelines jointly developed by the state’s school and higher education departments. Qualified high school students can take college courses online, at colleges, or in high schools w… - Career mentoring support for legal professionals: benefit, low. At least $75,000 from the trial court budget supports the South Coast Bridge Program for Legal Professionals. The University of Massachusetts School of Law receives the funding for mentoring and career development. The law does not set individual grant amounts. - College transition help for adult learners: benefit, low. The law provides $500,000 in competitive grants for adult education providers helping low-income and entry-level workers prepare for and finish college. Providers must have a record of helping underserved people close learning gaps, enter college, and complete their studies. At least $250,000 goes… - Early learning support for young families: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $11.740598 million for a statewide early education support network through eligible family and community organizations. Grants must be distributed by August 31, 2026, and services must meet Massachusetts universal preschool and Quality Rating and Improvement S… - Higher starting pay for assistant prosecutors: benefit, low. The law sets aside $5 million for costs tied to higher starting salaries for assistant district attorneys. This reserve provision does not specify each employee’s raise. - Juvenile court investigator pay rates protected: benefit, low. The trial court must spend enough to maintain juvenile court investigator rates at least at fiscal year 2026 levels. The provision protects those rates from falling below that level. It does not state the dollar rates. - Special education access for incarcerated people: benefit, low. The state education department may provide special education to eligible people in Massachusetts houses of correction. People must meet the applicable special education eligibility requirements. The law does not set a service amount or require enrollment. - Veterans receive job and training support: benefit, low. The law funds veterans’ education, employment, and training services in Massachusetts. This includes the Veterans Coordinated Approach to Recovery and Employment program. That program helps unemployed or underemployed veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder seek competitive jobs. No individual… - Workforce funding and recycling job opportunities: benefit, low. The law transfers $8 million to the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund for fiscal year 2027, ending June 30, 2027. It also directs at least $500,000 to a mattress-recycling jobs pilot for people facing employment barriers. At least one nonprofit must receive pilot funding. Eligible nonprofits nee… - Youth programs for emergency housing families: benefit, low. The law provides at least $800,000 for Home Works. It supports out-of-school and summer programs for children in the emergency housing assistance program. Youth-serving organizations must apply to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for contract slots. The law sets no payment or… - Certification cost help for organic farms: benefit, low. The law provides $20,000 in fiscal year 2027 to help eligible organic producers pay certification costs. The Department of Agricultural Resources must use the money for the federally funded Organic Certification Cost-Share Program. The law does not set each producer’s reimbursement amount. - Diverse businesses get state contracting help: benefit, low. The Supplier Diversity Office must provide training and other services to help diverse businesses compete for state contracts. It must offer an online certification application and protect personal and financial information sent through it. The office must use available resources to provide certifi… - Funding supports blind vending stand operators: benefit, low. The law provides $2.2965 million in fiscal year 2027 for the federally funded Fort Devens Vending Stand Award. The program involves the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and eligible vending stand operators. The provision does not state how much any operator receives. - Small employers get leave coverage grants: benefit, low. The law establishes Workforce Productivity Subfund grants to help employers cover temporary vacancies during employees’ approved continuous leave. Applicants must have no more than 50 Massachusetts employees; employers with plans approved under section 11 are ineligible. The department controls awa… - Accessible recreation and youth camp receive grants: benefit, low. The law provides $25,000 each for Community Boating's accessible sailing, Community Connections' inclusive bicycle program, and North Shore Maritime Center youth rowing. Sudbury receives $75,000 for adaptive bicycles and storage; Shirley's summer camp receives $25,000, including low-income children… - Air monitoring programs receive grant funding: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $149,000 for the Massachusetts National Air Toxics Trend Station Program. It also provides $4,349 for the Clean Air Act/Air Sensor Program. A separate Clean Air Act grant under the Inflation Reduction Act receives $234,094. Each appropriation is limited to its… - Barnstable emergency communications spending authorized: benefit, low. The Barnstable sheriff’s office can spend up to $1.5 million collected from municipalities and other entities for regional emergency communications. The money supports operation, development, membership, and maintenance of emergency and public safety communications. Expenses and payments covering t… - Berkshire correctional aquaponics program receives funding: benefit, low. The law provides $150,000 in fiscal year 2027 to operate the Berkshire aquaponics program. The program operates at the Berkshire County house of correction. The provision does not set a participant payment or specify household benefits. - Berkshire dispatch can spend service revenue: benefit, low. The Berkshire sheriff's office can spend up to $100,000 from county 911 dispatch and other law-enforcement-related revenue. Expenses and payments cannot exceed the lower of that authorization or the latest revenue estimate in the state accounting system. - Boating infrastructure and clean vessels funded: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Fish and Game receives $1.2 million for the federally funded Clean Vessel grant. The Boating Infrastructure grant receives $720,000. Each appropriation is limited to its grant’s purposes. The provisions do not specify direct assistance to boaters or households. - Broader definition of federal government shutdowns: benefit, low. The law broadens the shutdown definition used in specified provisions of Massachusetts law chapters 239 and 244. It replaces “all” with “any,” covering a broader range of federal government shutdowns. The supplied text does not identify the specific protections affected or establish a direct househ… - Child protections against authority figures' misconduct: benefit, low. A mandated reporter with current or former custodial or supervisory authority commits a crime by having sex with a 16- or 17-year-old. The maximum penalty is 20 years in state prison. Indecent assault and battery against a child aged 14–17 carries up to 10 years in state prison or 2½ years in jail.… - Child sexual abuse prevention gets funding: benefit, low. The law provides $2.315019 million for evidence-based child sexual abuse prevention focused on adults. The Children's Trust Fund and child advocate's office administer community assistance, coalition-building, volunteer training, and prevention education. At least $150,000 goes to Enough Abuse for… - Climate preparedness funding for Massachusetts communities: benefit, low. The law funds state climate preparedness work covering transportation, energy, public health, buildings, municipal help, data, and natural resources. A report on the state resilience plan, impacts, and spending is due February 5, 2027. Boston Harbor Now gets at least $200,000 for planning and progr… - Community forests and beetle control funded: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Conservation and Recreation receives $2.3 million to identify and eradicate the Asian Longhorned Beetle. Urban and community forestry receives $382,315 under the Inflation Reduction Act and $407,865 through a separate grant. Forest stewardship, conservation, and education rece… - Court dispute resolution includes online services: benefit, low. The trial court receives $1.372241 million for alternative dispute resolution programs. At least $250,000 must support online dispute resolution. The law does not set an individual service value or payment. - Courts maintain case help and mediation: benefit, low. At least $848,014 continues Probate and Family Court case-management triage in FY2027. Funded permanency mediation services for Probate and Juvenile Courts are available in Bristol County. Trial Court officials cannot transfer specialty court funds to other Trial Court budget items. - Cultural grants receive protected funding share: benefit, low. The Massachusetts Cultural Council must spend at least 75% of the relevant budget item on grants and subsidies. Awards must advance its three-year strategic plan, including practices supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion. The provision does not state the total appropriation or award sizes. - Deadlines for sexual assault evidence testing: benefit, low. Medical facilities must notify local police when sexual-assault evidence is obtained, no later than 24 hours after using a new kit. Police generally must collect kits within 3 business days and submit new kits to a qualifying lab within 7 business days. Labs must test kits within 30 days of receipt… - Digital information upgrades for two communities: benefit, low. Wellesley gets at least $100,000 for digital content updates and changes. The law also provides at least $25,000 to buy a digital community sign in Amesbury. These grants fund local information projects rather than household payments. - Environmental justice funding and language access: benefit, low. State energy and environmental departments must make efforts to prioritize environmental justice across their work. The law provides $4 million for the state's environmental justice strategy. Funds support translations during public comment periods and mapping tools that combine environmental and p… - Extra event staff funded near Attleboro: benefit, low. The law directs at least $25,000 to Sturdy Health Inc. in Attleboro for extra staff at major and regional events. The events must be in the surrounding area. The provision does not identify the events or say what the staff will do. - Fire response and responder health receive funding: benefit, low. The law provides $44.350301 million for hazardous-materials response and related safety activities, including special-event coverage. Minimum allocations include $100,000 for critical incident stress management and $2 million for On-Site Academy services for emergency and corrections personnel. It… - Fire services and wildfire prevention funded: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, volunteer fire assistance receives $274,084, and state fire assistance receives $423,696. Community Wildfire Defense receives $26,343 under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Hazard Fuels Management and Wildfire Risk Reduction receives $485,692. Each appropriation is limited t… - Franklin County bystander training receives funding: benefit, low. The Franklin sheriff’s office must provide at least $100,000 for an active-bystander training pilot in fiscal year 2027. The provision funds training but does not specify participant eligibility, payments, or the number of people served. - Funding for buses and transportation projects: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, bus and bus facility grants get about $10.57 million. Transportation for older people and people with disabilities gets about $1.3 million. Springfield track work gets $72,000, and Boston–Albany corridor administration gets about $2.059 million. The named CFDPE/NEPA PA grant g… - Funding for child safety and stable families: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $309,459 to administer the federal Children’s Justice Act grant. It also provides about $6.272 million for the federal Promoting Safe and Stable Families program. This money supports Massachusetts child welfare services for families. The provisions do not set… - Funding for community injury and violence prevention: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law funds two federal injury prevention grants. The Massachusetts Core Violence Injury Prevention Program gets $275,000. State and Community Based Injury Prevention and Control gets about $1.103 million. The funding supports prevention activities, not direct household paym… - Funding for community service agencies: benefit, low. The law allocates $20 million for the federally funded Community Service Block Grant in Massachusetts. The money supports community service agencies and the residents they serve. This provision does not set specific household benefits, eligibility rules, or payments. - Funding for emergency services and safety: benefit, low. Petersham gets at least $25,000 for unexpected costs of continuing ambulance services. Hopedale gets at least $30,000 for fire safety projects, including removing old alarm wiring and equipment from utility poles. Metropolitan Area Planning Council gets at least $40,000 to plan and coordinate regio… - Funding for families facing domestic violence: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides about $3.13 million for federal Family Violence Service State Grants. It also provides about $9.257 million for family violence prevention and domestic violence support under a federal recovery grant. The funds support Massachusetts services. These provisions… - Funding for forests and underserved landowners: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Massachusetts funds two forest conservation grant administration programs with about $1.01 million and $2.22 million. Another $1.12 million supports capacity-building for underserved forest landowners. Forest health programs get $253,738, and efforts to control the hemlock woo… - Funding for local community support organizations: benefit, low. Watertown Community Foundation gets at least $75,000 for support and stabilization services for vulnerable people in Watertown. Community Action Pioneer Valley gets at least $50,000. The second allocation does not name a funded service. Neither provision sets household payment amounts or individual… - Funding for local films and theater: benefit, low. The law funds three local arts programs in fiscal year 2027. Woods Hole Film Festival gets at least $15,000 for its public independent-film showcase. Cape Cod Center For the Arts gets at least $100,000 for Cape Playhouse centennial programs and initiatives. Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center in… - Funding for local pool and field: benefit, low. North Attleborough gets at least $20,000 for a feasibility study of the World War II Memorial Pool. That money funds a study, not pool construction. Westfield gets at least $25,000 for capital improvements to Bullens Field. - Funding for local safety and coordination: benefit, low. The law provides $5.707 million for local safety projects, with minimum awards for named towns, departments, and nonprofits. Projects include equipment, facilities, patrols, training, emergency response, reentry support, and violence prevention. Another $750,000 supports technology and protocol upg… - Funding for local water and flood projects: benefit, low. The law provides at least $25,000 for Newbury watershed and drought work and $50,000 for Groveland water treatment improvements. Malden gets at least $100,000 for flood and stormwater work, including Town Line Brook and Linden Brook culvert maintenance. Raynham gets at least $70,000 for a stormwate… - Funding for medical examiner and parole programs: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law funds federal grants for the Chief Medical Examiner and Parole Board. Medical examiner grants receive $47,044 for Mass-PPDOMA&O, $4,000 for MAVDRS, and $32,185 for Coverdell. Parole Board grants receive $310,083 for COVID-19&SASS and about $1.357 million for VOCA. The… - Funding for museums and historic sites: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law funds museums, history education, and historic preservation. Minimum grants include $20,000 for Plimoth Patuxet school, teacher, and historian programs; $60,000 for Pilgrim Hall; and $30,000 for Heritage Museums and Gardens. The latter two grants also support local tou… - Funding for National Guard readiness: benefit, low. For FY2027, Camp Edwards receives $48.55 million for its Readiness Center. Army National Guard facilities receive $31.1344 million; administrative services receive $324,200; environmental work receives $3.7446 million. Army security receives $1.64205 million; electronic security receives $275,400;… - Funding for refugee support services: benefit, low. For FY2027, the law funds three federal grants through the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants. Refugee social services receive $5.21136 million, youth mentoring receives $275,285, and elderly refugee services receive $143,303. These funds support services, not a set payment to each pe… - Funding for rural transportation and road data: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the federal Non-Urbanized Area Formula Program gets about $5.792 million. Commercial vehicle information systems get $390,934, and commercial driver license information system upgrades get $667,366. Fatality Analysis Reporting gets $123,066. A Metropolitan Transportation Plann… - Funding for safety and justice programs: benefit, low. For FY2027, the law funds named federal public safety and justice grants, rather than direct household payments. Infrastructure Law Funds I and II receive $6.0876 million and $8 million; State Homeland Security receives $2.806252 million. Nonprofit security grants receive $6.662588 million and $3.6… - Funding for sheriff treatment and justice programs: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, federal sheriff grants fund treatment, mental health, reentry, and named justice projects. Middlesex gets $203,452; Franklin gets grants of $149,770, $81,249, $150,000, and $50,000. Worcester gets $29,120 and $139,050; Barnstable gets $147,280; Bristol gets $30,000 and $450,00… - Funding for State Police safety programs: benefit, low. FY2027 federal grants fund named State Police programs, not household payments or new individual duties. Officer mental health and wellness receives $100,000; motor-carrier safety receives $400,000 for FFY2024 and $3 million for FFY2025. DNA cold-case prosecution receives $189,793, and a hate-crime… - Funding for the Sorensen-Alawad grant: benefit, low. Massachusetts provides about $1.64 million for the federally funded Amy Sorensen-Alawad MPA grant in fiscal year 2027. The appropriation does not describe specific services, household eligibility, or direct payments to residents. - Funding for the Turning 22 Commission: benefit, low. The law provides at least $200,000 to the Turning 22 Commission established elsewhere in the act. This allocation funds the commission. It does not establish a household payment, service entitlement, or eligibility change. - Funding for Transhealth facilities and programs: benefit, low. The law provides at least $75,000 to Transhealth Inc. for infrastructure and programs. The provision does not describe the funded activities further. It does not set household eligibility rules or guarantee a specific service. - Funding for wildlife and coastal projects: benefit, low. The law provides at least $30,000 for a Heart Pond aquatic management study in Chelmsford and $90,000 for Monponsett Pond cyanobacteria and contaminant testing and treatment. North Walpole Fish and Game Club gets at least $50,000 for combat veterans and students with special needs; New England Wild… - Funding for witnesses and crime survivors: benefit, low. The law provides $245,025 for witness protection and $91,768 to buy and distribute sexual assault evidence kits. It also provides $100,000 to combat human trafficking, including competitive grants. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security administers those grants. It must report trafficki… - Funding helps families in juvenile courts: benefit, low. Fiscal year 2027 grants fund court-appointed advocates and help for families in juvenile courts. CASA Project receives $407,602 for Worcester County; Friends of Children receives $137,877 for Franklin and Hampshire counties. Center for Human Development receives $178,244 for Hampden County; Family… - Funding helps towns and cities cooperate: benefit, low. At least $3 million goes to the District Local Technical Assistance Fund. The Division of Local Services administers the fund. It supports local initiatives, including projects that help municipalities work together across the region. - Funding protects water habitats and research: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Massachusetts provides $145,591 to manage aquatic invasive species. Habitat capacity-building gets $475,000, and Waquoit Bay estuary research gets about $1.20 million. The money supports these programs rather than direct payments to households. - Funding supports birth and death records: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Massachusetts provides $257,816 for violent-death reporting and $75,000 to obtain National Death Index information. Sharing death-file information with the Social Security Administration gets $627,000. Supplying birth records to that agency gets $586,000. These grants support… - Funding supports court access and services: benefit, low. At least $300,000 maintains court-date text reminders for litigants in district, Boston municipal, and superior courts. Another $254,925 funds video court appearances for people held in houses of correction. At least $100,000 supports a new courthouse for the South Boston division of the Boston Mun… - Funding supports local arts and theaters: benefit, low. Boston Ballet and Franklin Performing Arts Company each receive at least $100,000. Franklin Creative Center for the Arts receives at least $25,000. Hopkinton Center for the Arts receives at least $100,000 to design an accessible theater, not a stated construction commitment. Melrose receives at lea… - Funding supports local recreational trail projects: benefit, low. Massachusetts provides $924,299 for the Recreational Trails Grant Program in fiscal year 2027. The money supports eligible trail projects, but the appropriation does not name award recipients. - Funding supports pipeline security measures: benefit, low. Massachusetts provides about $4.87 million for the federally funded Pipeline Security grant in fiscal year 2027. The money supports pipeline security, not direct household payments. The appropriation adds no new duties for individuals. - Funding supports rail transit safety oversight: benefit, low. Massachusetts provides about $3.65 million for rail transit safety oversight in fiscal year 2027. The Department of Public Utilities uses the money to oversee rail systems that run on fixed tracks. The appropriation does not provide household payments. - Funding supports temporary bridge projects: benefit, low. Massachusetts provides $302,900 for the federally funded temporary bridge grant in fiscal year 2027. The appropriation does not name specific bridge projects or provide household payments. - Funding to recruit more foster parents: benefit, low. The law provides $945,945 in fiscal year 2027 for a campaign to recruit new foster parents. The Department of Children and Families runs the campaign to support foster-care placements. This is program funding, not a payment to households. - Funding to reduce toxic chemical use: benefit, low. The law makes at least $1.62986 million available for the Toxics Use Reduction Institute program at University of Massachusetts Lowell. That funding comes from specified environmental department revenues, penalties, grants, and tuition funds. It also requires at least $644,096 for technical help an… - Grants help youths avoid justice involvement: benefit, low. The probation office administers $515,000 in competitive grants for towns and cities, applying alone or together. Grants support programs that divert juveniles and young adults before arrest or arraignment. Programs must coordinate prevention and intervention for youths and families; towns and citi… - Grants improve named local public facilities: benefit, low. Chelsea receives at least $25,000 to support a new fire station. Wakefield receives at least $100,000 to build restrooms at Veterans Field. Swampscott receives at least $35,000 to maintain and repair deteriorating cemetery structures. Dalton receives at least $20,000 to buy and install an emergency… - Grants support underserved New Bedford residents: benefit, low. The law requires at least $500,000 for a one-time grant program serving underserved residents in greater New Bedford. SouthCoast Community Foundation administers the program to provide access to resources. Program funds from fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026 remain available in fiscal year 2027 ins… - Grants support voter registration and education: benefit, low. The Secretary of the Commonwealth can award grants for voter registration and voter education. Community groups can run these activities. The provision does not specify grant amounts or detailed eligibility rules. - Homeland security agreement receives grant funding: benefit, low. The law provides $976,512 in fiscal year 2027 for the federally funded Homeland Security Co-Op Agreement. The money is limited to the agreement’s purposes. The provision does not describe specific activities or establish household payments. - Hudson library funding covers more repairs: benefit, low. At least $388,000 must be spent on authorized Hudson Public Library improvements. The existing funding can cover heating-pump design and installation, roof repairs, or general structural improvements. The law allows one or more of these uses; it does not provide household payments. - Inspector general no longer needs council vote: benefit, low. The Massachusetts inspector general can exercise authority under chapter 12A, section 10 without a prior majority council vote. The change removes that approval step; it does not specify new investigations or household obligations. - Interpretation funding tied to settlement agreements: benefit, low. The law requires spending on interpretation services directly or indirectly tied to settlement or resolution agreements. Covered agreements include those with the Office for Civil Rights or another office, group, or entity. The provision does not specify a funding amount or service period. - Juvenile court clinics receive funding: benefit, low. The law directs at least $1.5 million to juvenile court clinics. The money supports clinic operations and services. The provision does not specify which services receive funding or establish payments to families. - Local grants prepare for census counts: benefit, low. The Secretary of the Commonwealth administers $500,000 in grants to help municipalities and regional planning agencies prepare for the 2030 census. Grants cover preparation of address lists used to count local populations. The secretary can prioritize low-income communities or gateway municipalitie… - Local grants support water system improvements: benefit, low. Rowley receives at least $25,000 for a PFAS pollution-removal system to bring Town Well #2 online. Ipswich receives at least $25,000 for water treatment plant updates and wastewater work addressing problems linked to closed clam flats. Georgetown receives at least $25,000 for critical water treatme… - Local groups receive community activity funding: benefit, low. Acton Community Access Television receives at least $20,000 for equipment upgrades. Allston Village Main Streets receives at least $25,000 for artists' community assistance. Longmeadow Pride Alliance receives at least $25,000 for its Pride Festival, community services, and celebration of Italian he… - Local museums receive targeted state funding: benefit, low. The Attleboro Arts Museum receives at least $5,000 for damage to a flooded basement. The Children's Museum of Franklin receives at least $50,000. The Franklin grant has no further spending conditions stated in this provision. - Local parks and community facilities receive grants: benefit, low. The law funds named parks, trails, conservation projects, sports fields, and community facilities. Park grants include $700,000 for Christian A. Herter Park, $390,000 for Charlesgate Park, and $300,000 for Blue Hills Trailside Museum. Additional allocations support local parks, river access, tree c… - Local street upgrades and crossing safety: benefit, low. Malden gets at least $50,000 for streetscape upgrades and capital improvements. Brimfield gets at least $7,000 for solar-powered pedestrian crossing signs and related equipment. West Newbury gets at least $20,000 for roadway safety improvements. - Local transportation funding for Somerville and Bolton: benefit, low. The law directs at least $10,000 to Somerville’s crossing guard program and pedestrian improvements near East Somerville. It directs at least $75,000 to rural infrastructure improvements in Bolton. Both minimum allocations come from transportation transfer item 1595-6368. The money funds local impr… - Matching grants support local safety reforms: benefit, low. The Department of Public Health must run matching grants for municipalities pursuing public safety reforms. Grants also support alternative investments intended to make public safety more equitable. The provision does not state a total funding amount or create household payments. - More reentry help and parole coordination: benefit, low. At least $2 million supports the Ralph Gants Reentry Services Program for people leaving incarceration, including probationers and parolees. Community Corrections can provide services and fund rehabilitation pilots using evidence-based practices. Funded reentry programs cannot operate as intermedia… - Named communities receive local project grants: benefit, low. Minimum grants include $30,000 for Shrewsbury athletic lighting and $50,000 for a disability-accessible interview room in Longmeadow. Paxton gets at least $40,000 for September 2025 tornado relief, recovery costs, and damage reimbursements; Holden gets $50,000 for municipal building renovations and… - New nonprofit grants for retired police dogs: benefit, low. The law creates the Retired Police Dog Care Fund as a special revenue fund outside the regular budget. Money credited to it must fund nonprofit grants for care and medical services, without another appropriation. Covered dogs must have served a Massachusetts public agency or a federal agency operat… - New training and warnings about wrong-way driving: benefit, low. Beginning January 1, 2027, all Massachusetts peace officer training must include instruction about wrong-way driving. The public safety secretary must develop and implement training practices with input from the transportation secretary. The motor vehicle registrar must research, develop, and share… - One-time grants to prevent youth violence: benefit, low. The law provides $4.001578 million for one-time competitive grants supporting comprehensive youth violence prevention programs. The Department of Public Health administers the grants using the eligibility criteria established in the 2008 budget law. Law enforcement agencies cannot receive awards. T… - Preservation grants maintain funding for communities: benefit, low. Fiscal year 2027 preservation matching grants must receive at least as much spending as in fiscal year 2026. Municipalities and nonprofits can use these grants to preserve veterans' monuments, memorials, significant sites, and historic documents. The state historic records advisory board runs the p… - Prevention and recovery help for youth: benefit, low. The Department of Children and Families must fund a unit that identifies at-risk youth and provides preventive services. The unit must also carry out a response policy for recovering missing or absent youth. The provision does not state a funding amount or household payment. - Prisons and jails expand rehabilitation programs: benefit, low. The Department of Correction must spend at least $637,500 in FY2027 to expand programs that reduce repeat offenses. At least $345,000 funds competitive grants for cognitive behavioral programs in county jails and houses of correction. Applicants must explain faithful use of supported programs or ri… - Probation expands staffing and record services: benefit, low. At least $130,000 supports parole and probation workload reviews, hiring based on those reviews, and expanded community corrections services. At least $45,000 improves probation case management and data tracking. Another spending floor of $222,000 increases capacity to handle record-sealing and exp… - Probation programs continue and youth pilot starts: benefit, low. The Trial Court must maintain high-intensity probation supervision at no fewer than the 10 currently operating court locations. The program must operate in both district and superior courts. The law also requires at least $2.3 million for a transitional youth early-intervention probation pilot. The… - Protective vests funded for probation officers: benefit, low. The law requires at least $160,000 to buy bulletproof vests for probation officers. The equipment supports officers' safety at work. - Reentry support for emerging adults: benefit, low. The law provides $6.93 million for competitive grants helping emerging adults return from state prisons and county correctional facilities. No more than six grants can go to community nonprofits committed to collaboration with correctional officials. Programs must provide transition plans, educatio… - Regional water monitoring and pollution funding: benefit, low. OARS, Inc. gets at least $30,000 to monitor water quality in the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers. Buzzards Bay Coalition gets at least $150,000 for water quality and natural resource monitoring in Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. Merrimack River Watershed Council gets at least $200,000 to redu… - Repairs and preservation for town history: benefit, low. North Reading gets at least $75,000 for roof maintenance at the historic Putnam House. The law provides at least $50,000 for improvements to the outside of Andover's Old Town Hall. Rehoboth gets at least $15,000 to preserve and bind historical town records, including through outside archival servic… - Safety agencies can reuse vest reimbursements: benefit, low. Eligible public agencies can use replacement bulletproof vest reimbursements to buy additional vests without another appropriation. Reimbursements must come through the state public safety secretary's office. Agencies must buy the extra vests in the same fiscal year they receive the reimbursement. - Staffing grants for eligible communities: benefit, low. The law transfers at least $7 million for competitive public safety and emergency staffing grants. Only communities with qualifying FY2026 applications approved by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security can receive awards. Awards must use the FY2026 method and criteria. Administration m… - State agencies must support equal opportunity: benefit, low. State agencies spending money under this law must support equal opportunity in hiring, promotion, pay, training, and government dealings. At least $378,000 supports the trial court's race and bias initiative. This includes expanding its diversity office and staff training. The office must seek comm… - Stronger oversight of troubled sheriff budgets: benefit, low. Sheriff fiscal oversight applies when the finance secretary finds an undocumented fiscal year 2027 shortfall or failure to follow required controls. Offices under oversight must report finances and capital projects at least monthly. The council can set financial targets and recommend plans. Failure… - Support for household savings programs: benefit, low. The law directs at least $250,000 to The MIDAS Collaborative for matched-savings programs and its economic mobility incubator. The work aims to close racial and other wealth gaps among low- and moderate-income households. It involves partnerships with financial institutions and community groups. Th… - Town office access and technology upgrades: benefit, low. Petersham gets at least $25,000 to replace the existing disability-accessible ramp at its Town Office building. Medfield gets at least $20,000 for technology and facility upgrades at town hall. The projects support public access and municipal facilities. - Veterans court operations and transportation receive funding: benefit, low. The law provides $274,745 for a veterans court program's administration and transportation costs. This supports program operations and related transportation, not a set payment to each veteran. - Wetlands and wildlife land receive funding: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $2.25 million for a wildlife land acquisition grant through Fish and Game. The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program receives $228,490. Windsor Brook wetland restoration receives $400,000. Each appropriation supports its named federally funded g… - Wildlife monitoring and protection receive funding: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Fish and Game receives $89,601 for the NEC Cottontail Population Assessment grant. Wildlife disease management receives $15,000, and the Turtle Disengagement grant receives $700,000. Sport Fish Restoration Coordination receives $175,000. The money is limited to each named fede… - Youth development and violence prevention receive grants: benefit, low. Fiscal year 2027 provides $13.099 million for violence prevention targeting high-risk youth and municipalities with the highest youth homicide and serious assault counts. Allocations include at least $50,000 each for SISU Center and Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, and $25,000 for F… - Boiler inspection fees fund backlog work: benefit, low. The Department of Fire Services can spend up to about $2.41 million in annual boiler and pressure-vessel fee revenue. The money can fund department operations, address the inspection backlog, and hire engineering inspectors or engineers. Spending is limited to collected certificate and inspection f… - Drivers learn to prevent wrong-way driving: benefit, low. Driving instruction covered by chapter 90, section 8 must include a wrong-way driving module. It must teach the dangers and strategies and techniques motorists can use to prevent wrong-way driving. - Funding for food and pesticide safety: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law funds $500,000 for food safety and $450,000 for pesticide enforcement. It also funds $82,248 for food establishment inspections and $35,000 for retail checks on country-of-origin labels. These funds must serve their named federal grants. Environmental police officers m… - Funding for lead and asbestos oversight: benefit, low. The law provides $75,735 for federal lead license enforcement funding. It also provides $409,962 for lead licensing and monitoring, plus $78,608 for asbestos licensing and monitoring. These funds support Massachusetts oversight agencies. The provisions do not create new individual duties or househo… - Dam safety and repairs receive funding: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Conservation and Recreation receives about $4.90 million for the FEMA National Dam Safety Program. It also receives about $4.10 million for dam rehabilitation tied to watershed restoration. The money is limited to the named federally funded grants. The provisions do not identi… - Funding supports disability insurance services: benefit, low. The law provides $55.731678 million in FY2027 for the federally funded Social Security Disability Insurance grant. The money supports MassAbility's disability-insurance-related services. It does not change Social Security benefit amounts or set a new individual payment. - Added funding for the Health Safety Net: benefit, low. In fiscal year 2027, the state can transfer up to $15 million to the Health Safety Net Trust Fund. The money comes from employer medical assistance contributions in the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund. This authority is in addition to other required transfers. It does not change individual eligibility… - Behavioral health support in criminal justice: benefit, low. The law requires at least $1.13 million to hire mental-health clinicians, spread fairly across court facilities. It provides $283,605 to run the Community Justice Project for people with mental-health and substance-use disorders in criminal justice. The Trial Court must keep funding a coordinator t… - Community defibrillators and emergency care review: benefit, low. The law provides at least $350,000 for defibrillator grants to municipalities, public colleges and universities, and community nonprofit programs. Towns with 20,000 residents or fewer and nonprofits receive priority; the grant report is due March 1, 2027. At least $100,000 funds an emergency medica… - Community support for children with disabilities: benefit, low. The law provides at least $11.7 million to the Department of Developmental Services for voluntary residential placement prevention. The program supports community-based services intended to help children with disabilities avoid residential placement. No individual payment or service amount is speci… - County opioid education receives funding: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the Berkshire sheriff’s office must spend at least $200,000 on its county opioid education and awareness task force. The Franklin sheriff’s office must spend at least $150,000 on its county task force. The funding supports education and awareness, not direct household payments. - Disease tracking and environmental health monitoring funded: benefit, low. Fiscal year 2027 includes at least $292,035 for the Argeo Paul Cellucci ALS Registry. The Department of Public Health receives $100,000 to run the Parkinson's Disease Registry. Silent Spring Institute receives at least $25,000 to study health effects linked to PFAS-contaminated drinking water in Hy… - Drug managers must disclose MassHealth payments: benefit, low. Contracts for pharmacy benefit managers serving medical-assistance programs must require financial disclosures to MassHealth. Managers must report all related income, payments, and other financial benefits. This strengthens oversight but does not directly change members’ coverage or copayments. - Drug rebates fund HIV treatment help: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Massachusetts may use up to $65.194869 million in drug-maker rebates for its HIV Drug Assistance Program. HIV/AIDS drug assistance gets priority, and services must include activities eligible under the federal Ryan White law. Rebates above that ceiling must go to the General F… - Facility funding supports Gardner hospital patients: benefit, low. The law directs at least $50,000 to plumbing, infrastructure, and facility upgrades at Heywood Hospital in Gardner. The work supports regulatory compliance and expansion of its bariatric program, including improved treatment of chronic conditions. The grant does not create patient payments or insur… - Family planning and teen health funding: benefit, low. The law provides $27.116673 million for family and adolescent health services, including reproductive care, HIV counseling and testing, and teen pregnancy prevention. Its stated minimum allocations are $13.812418 million for family health services and $11.207164 million for comprehensive family pla… - Family services and youth grief support funded: benefit, low. Fiscal year 2027 provides $500,000 for statewide child and family programs, including family resource centers. Centers must use evidence-based services and track results; the network must coordinate emergency help for missing children when juvenile court closes. Family services funding includes at… - Food benefit funding for eligible children: benefit, low. The law provides $70.668 million in FY2027 for the federally funded SUN Bucks child food benefit. The funding supports the Department of Transitional Assistance and eligible children receiving benefits. This provision does not set a per-child amount or change eligibility rules. - Funding closes Health Safety Net shortfalls: benefit, low. The comptroller must transfer $37.5 million from the Commonwealth Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Fund to the Health Safety Net Trust Fund. The money must first reduce the fiscal year 2027 shortfall. Any remainder may reduce a shortfall in another open Health Safety Net fiscal year. Federal mat… - Funding connects behavioral and physical healthcare: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides about $3.23 million to connect primary care and behavioral healthcare. It also provides $200,179 for Beyond Bridges, a program focused on behavioral health and traumatic brain injury. Both are federally funded grants. Neither appropriation sets individual paym… - Funding for addiction and recovery support: benefit, low. The law directs at least $650,000 to the Massachusetts Consultation Service for Treatment of Addiction and Pain. Administered by the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, it provides case management, care navigation, and community referrals for patients and providers. SAFE Coalition Incorpor… - Funding for cancer and chronic disease prevention: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, federal grants provide about $2.82 million for cancer prevention and $652,871 for colorectal cancer screening. Another grant provides about $2.35 million for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke prevention. Diabetes health equity work for priority populations receives $1 millio… - Funding for children's care and safety: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law transfers $2.7 million to the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Trust Fund. Federal grants provide $1 million for Transforming Massachusetts Pediatrics for Early Childhood and $200,000 for children's emergency medical services. Another federal grant receives $465,000… - Funding for family planning and education: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides about $7.35 million for the federal FY14 Family Planning Services FOA grant. It also provides $848,591 for the federal State Sexual Risk Avoidance Education FY 2018 grant. The money supports family planning services and sexual risk education. These provisions… - Funding for health prevention and disability programs: benefit, low. The law provides $848,026 for the federally funded Personal Responsibility Education Program and $741,537 for tobacco-related activities. It also provides $672,000 for the Paul Coverdell acute stroke prevention grant. The Massachusetts Health and Disability Program gets another $672,000. These gran… - Funding for help navigating health insurance: benefit, low. Health Care For All receives at least $500,000 for its free statewide helpline and online health coverage enrollment platform. The services help people understand eligibility, enroll, and navigate coverage. The law also requires at least $2 million for SHINE health-insurance assistance program oper… - Funding for HIV care and prevention: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law funds federal grants for HIV care and prevention. The Ryan White Title II care grant receives about $23.40 million, and the Title IV program receives $532,810. Health departments' comprehensive HIV prevention grant receives about $9.23 million. These grants do not set… - Funding for hospital and pandemic readiness: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, a federal grant provides $15.5 million for hospital and public health emergency preparedness. Another federal grant provides $669,777 for public health crisis response, influenza A/H5N1, and pandemic preparedness and response. The funding supports emergency readiness rather th… - Funding for local mental health care: benefit, low. The law provides at least $20,000 for The Children’s Room in Arlington for grieving students’ mental health support. It directs at least $50,000 to the Massachusetts social workers association’s Therapy Matcher program, which connects people with licensed clinical social workers. Boston Chinatown N… - Funding for opioid response and prevention: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law funds four federal prevention and substance use grants. It provides about $72.62 million for Massachusetts opioid response and $9.88 million for prescription drug misuse prevention. It also provides $517,466 for the Strategic Prevention Framework and $300,000 for alcoh… - Funding for pregnancy and infant health: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, a federal maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting grant receives about $10.44 million. Federal grants also provide $1 million for maternal health innovation and $325,000 to improve care around pregnancy and birth. Another $527,991 funds tracking of neonatal abstine… - Funding for public health workers and systems: benefit, low. The law funds two federal grants for Massachusetts public health agencies, workers, and data systems. It provides $3.24 million for the Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure grant. A separate grant under the American Rescue Plan Act gets $5 million. These grants do not set new household benefi… - Funding for specialized children's health care: benefit, low. The state must pay Franciscan Hospital for Children at least $3 million above base rates for complex pediatric care. Fiscal year 2027 funding also includes $150,000 for the Down Syndrome program at the Children's Medical Center at UMass medical center. That program uses a patient-centered medical h… - Funding for statewide meal delivery logistics: benefit, low. Community Servings gets at least $250,000 for a statewide meal-distribution logistics hub. The hub supports coordinated deliveries and route planning for efficient and fair distribution. The provision does not set household eligibility or the amount of food assistance. - Funding for suicide and community prevention: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the federal Massachusetts Suicide Prevention grant receives about $7.05 million. The law also transfers $200,000 to the Community Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention Trust Fund. The money supports suicide prevention and community behavioral health programs. These provis… - Funding for tobacco control programs: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the federal National and State Tobacco Control Program receives about $3.81 million. The funding supports tobacco control activities in Massachusetts. This provision does not establish individual eligibility or household payments. - Funding for young children's disability services: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the federal Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities grant receives about $9.36 million. Federal grants also provide $235,000 for newborn hearing screening and $160,000 for the Massachusetts early hearing detection project. The money supports programs for young children and hear… - Funding helps residents with disabilities live independently: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Massachusetts provides $680,000 for independent living services for older blind residents. MassAbility's independent living grants get about $1.72 million under Part C and $348,595 under Part B. Assistive technology services get $600,237. The Informed Members Planning and Asse… - Funding protects older adults from abuse: benefit, low. The law provides about $51.6 million for elder protective services in fiscal year 2027. The money supports case management, guardianship, the statewide elder abuse hotline, money management, and elder-at-risk services. It funds protection and assistance rather than a set payment for each person. - Funding protects services for abused children: benefit, low. Each of Massachusetts's 12 accredited children's advocacy centers must receive at least its fiscal year 2026 allocation in fiscal year 2027. Available funding above those levels must be shared among the centers to promote fair access to services. At least $1.05 million supports the statewide servic… - Funding strengthens disease tracking and hospital readiness: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, federal grants provide $18 million for disease tracking, laboratories, and health information systems. Separate grants provide $15 million for infectious-disease tracking and laboratories, plus about $6.6 million for additional tracking and laboratory capacity. The New England… - Funding strengthens public health systems and laboratories: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Massachusetts provides $100,000 for the State Systems Development Initiative grant. Public health laboratory accreditation gets $150,000. The MASPHL-NARMS public health laboratory cooperative agreement gets $185,000. These grants do not establish direct household services, pay… - Funding studies pregnancy risks and maternal deaths: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Massachusetts provides $495,000 for maternal death reviews and tracking. The B Existing PRAMS pregnancy risk monitoring grant gets $175,000. A study of pregnancy exposures and birth defects gets $855,000. These grants fund research and monitoring, not individual service rights… - Funding supports child protection and trauma: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the State Center on Child Wellbeing and Trauma gets at least $3.75 million for operations. UMass Memorial Medical Center’s comprehensive hospital child-protection program gets at least $250,000. Roca’s Massachusetts program for young mothers experiencing acute trauma gets at l… - Funding supports community health care access: benefit, low. Fiscal year 2027 funding includes at least $500,000 for statewide technical help to community health centers and $600,000 for the Ellie Fund. The law transfers $4 million to the Affirming Health Care Trust Fund. It also provides at least $500,000 each for South Shore Health's underserved-community… - Funding supports fairer cash-assistance data work: benefit, low. The law provides $110,000 in fiscal year 2027 for the federally funded TANF Data Equity grant. The Department of Transitional Assistance administers the funding. This appropriation does not change household cash benefits or who qualifies. - Funding supports health workers and loan repayment: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $839,800 for the federal State Loan Repayment Program for health professionals. It also provides $400,000 for oral health workforce activities and $349,580 for State Primary Care Offices. The Department of Public Health administers all three federal grants. Th… - Funding supports healthcare inspections and quality checks: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides about $12.53 million for federal Medicare and Medicaid facility surveys and certification. It also provides $806,680 for clinical laboratory standards work and $85,671 for hospice recertification surveys. Mammography quality standards work gets $498,957. The D… - Funding supports Money Follows the Person: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law funds two federal Money Follows the Person grants. The Rebalancing Demonstration Grant gets $887,567, and the year-four grant gets $914,195. These appropriations do not set individual eligibility rules or service amounts. - Funding supports mothers and children's health: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, federal grants provide about $11.53 million for maternal and child health services. Another grant provides about $11.91 million for immunization and children's vaccines. The law also provides $833,000 for childhood asthma and hazardous-substance research and $518,678 for child… - Funding supports rural hospitals and healthcare: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $223,410 for the federal State Office of Rural Health grant. It also provides $364,663 for the Rural Hospital Flexibility Program. The Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program gets $81,168. The Department of Public Health administers these funds to suppo… - Funding supports services based in schools: benefit, low. Massachusetts provides $1 million for the School Based Services grant in fiscal year 2027. The money supports the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and school-based service providers. The appropriation does not identify specific services, individual eligibility rules, or household payme… - Funding supports sexually transmitted disease control: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $2.091 million for the federal Sexually Transmitted Disease Control grant. It provides another $441,480 for the federal Mass Applications for STD Surveillance Parts A and B grant. The Department of Public Health uses these funds for disease control and trackin… - Funding supports substance use treatment and prevention: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides about $52.92 million for the federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant. It also provides $842,185 for the federal Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. These funds support prevention, treatment, and prescription monitoring. The… - Funding supports summer food benefits for children: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides about $2.83 million for children's summer electronic food benefits. Another $1.1 million funds technology for the Summer EBT program. Both are federal grants. These appropriations do not set a per-child payment or new eligibility rules. - Funding supports women's health care access: benefit, low. The law provides $619,275 for the federal Expanding Access to Women's Health Grant in FY2027. The funding supports women's health access. The provision does not list covered services, individual eligibility rules, or household payment amounts. - Funding to prevent and track infections: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, federal grants receive about $1.65 million for tuberculosis control and laboratory work. Another grant receives about $1.08 million to prevent HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, and tuberculosis. Viral hepatitis prevention and tracking receives $700,366, and… - Funding tracks environmental risks to health: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, public health grants get $489,275 for local environmental exposure work and $195,000 for indoor radon programs. Beach monitoring gets $258,000, and statewide environmental health capacity gets $90,000. The state and national environment grant gets $615,000, while chemical expo… - Funding tracks HIV and health risks: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Massachusetts provides $522,425 for National HIV Behavioral Surveillance. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System gets $750,000 to track health-related behaviors and risks. These grants fund public health monitoring, not household payments or new eligibility rules. - Funding transfers support Medicare savings programs: benefit, low. In fiscal year 2027, the state can transfer up to $15 million to Medicare Savings or Medicare Buy-In programs. The money comes from Prescription Advantage and the Health Safety Net Trust Fund. At least 45 days beforehand, the health secretary must certify the amount and expected savings to legislat… - Grants strengthen local public health services: benefit, low. The law provides $13.05 million to local and regional health boards through the State Action for Public Health Excellence program. Grants support data collection, reporting, shared municipal services, and local public health capacity. The Department of Public Health must prioritize fair distributio… - Grants support disability services and inclusion: benefit, low. The law requires at least $200,000 for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress and $150,000 for Operation House Call training. At least $50,000 goes to the University of Massachusetts autism and neurodevelopmental disorders center. Raising Harts receives at least $50,000 for inclusive programming.… - Hospital and Medicaid spending get audits: benefit, low. During hospital fiscal year 2027, the inspector general can spend up to $1 million from the Health Safety Net Trust Fund. The money maintains an audit unit reviewing hospital practices, including care for uninsured people and related free-care charges. The unit also reviews Medicaid. Audit and comp… - Hospital monitoring and investigator training funded: benefit, low. The law requires at least $2.468268 million for a pilot that automatically monitors harmful events in Massachusetts hospitals. Department of Public Health investigators responsible for health care quality investigations must also receive training. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit… - Local clinical staff and health workers funded: benefit, low. Fiscal year 2027 provides Boston at least $650,000 for contracted clinical staff. Funding covers three nurse practitioners, one psychiatrist, and two addiction or mental health specialists. The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center receives $250,000 to train community health workers. These work… - Local senior services receive grant funding: benefit, low. The law provides about $31.04 million for councils on aging and qualifying groups, including a $16-per-elder formula grant. That formula allocates money to organizations; it is not a payment to each senior. Minimum grants include $250,000 for Parkway in Motion and $100,000 each for OutstandingLife,… - Maternal care and postpartum depression support: benefit, low. For FY2027, the law funds postpartum depression programs at community health centers in Holyoke, Lynn, Worcester, Fall River, Salem, and Jamaica Plain. If a center declines funding, unused money must go to participating centers or expand the program to additional centers. The provision does not sta… - Mental health awareness and prevention funding: benefit, low. The law requires at least $1 million for a campaign explaining available behavioral health services. It must involve advocacy groups, employers, colleges, and community organizations to reach people most at risk of barriers to care. The NAN Project receives at least $250,000 in FY2027 for mental he… - Mental health support for children and students: benefit, low. The law provides $2 million for a statewide mental health framework covering birth through higher education. Funds can also support implementation and student services. State health offices must work with experts, educators, students, families, and other stakeholders. At least $50,000 goes to Commu… - Naloxone funding continues in high-overdose communities: benefit, low. The law maintains first-responder naloxone grants and bystander distribution in Massachusetts communities with high overdose rates. Funding supports naloxone purchases, administration, and training. By October 1, 2026, the Department of Public Health must report expansion communities, participants,… - Recovery services include job and housing support: benefit, low. The law funds substance use prevention, intervention, and recovery services, including help for incarcerated and released people and at-risk youth in Suffolk and Norfolk counties. RIZE Massachusetts Foundation receives $2 million, and Massachusetts General Hospital's RecoveryWorks program receives… - Reproductive care funding and contraception information: benefit, low. Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts receives at least $2 million to support sexual and reproductive health care and community needs. The law also provides $1.98 million in grants for reproductive health access, facilities, and security. A $500,000 campaign informs pharmacies and the public a… - Safer supplies for people using drugs: benefit, low. The law funds a statewide harm-reduction strategy developed with municipalities and harm-reduction groups. At least $1.5 million must expand access to sterile and safe consumption supplies and syringe disposal services. At least $150,000 must support access to fentanyl test strips or other drug-che… - Service grants for seniors and caregivers: benefit, low. Federal grants fund aging, caregiver, disability, and protective services, rather than new household payments. Older Americans Act allocations are about $21.27 million and $136,703; supportive services receive $13.65 million, nutrition incentives $6 million, and preventive health $682,679. Caregive… - SNAP funds nutrition education and job training: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides about $2.49 million for SNAP nutrition education and obesity prevention. It provides another $3.18 million for SNAP employment and training services. These federal grants support participants but do not change SNAP eligibility or grocery benefit amounts. - Staff training for adult autism services: benefit, low. At least $100,000 goes to The Arc of Massachusetts and Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts for a six-month training pilot expansion. Training serves staff in state developmental-services and MassHealth day programs supporting adults with autism and complex behavioral needs. Topics include applied… - Staffing funding for Everett children’s healthcare: benefit, low. The Joint Committee for Children’s Health Care in Everett receives at least $100,000 for increased staffing needs. The law does not specify staffing levels, particular services, or payments to families. - Stroke care reporting and improvement requirements: benefit, low. Stroke-service hospitals and emergency medical services agencies must report data on treatment of people with confirmed stroke. Reporting must follow nationally recognized treatment guidelines. The law also supports statewide stroke education, registry expansion, and care quality improvement. The p… - Study examines obesity medication coverage losses: benefit, low. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health receives at least $300,000 to study ending insurance coverage for GLP-1 medicines. The study concerns patients with obesity and both commercial and public insurance. It examines effects on health, care use, and spending. Funding remains available through Ju… - Supervised medical students can provide care: benefit, low. Medical students with at least two completed years at a legally chartered medical school can practice in qualifying Massachusetts-licensed facilities. The facility must lawfully provide reproductive health care. A Massachusetts-licensed provider must supervise the student while acting within the sc… - Technology and project funding for WIC families: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the federal Technology for a Better WIC Experience grant receives $288,500. The federal FY2015 WIC Special Project Grants receive $45,300. The funding supports WIC technology and special projects, not a direct increase in participant benefits. These provisions do not change wh… - Training helps veterans navigate available benefits: benefit, low. The Executive Office of Veterans’ Services must continue training municipal veterans’ agents and directors at several locations statewide. Recognized veterans’ service organizations must receive training each year and as needed. Training covers benefits available to veterans and their dependents. T… - Training supports care for LGBTQIA+ seniors: benefit, low. The law funds a contract with the LGBTQIA+ Aging Project. It supports provider training and outreach to LGBTQIA+ older adults and caregivers. The provision does not state a funding amount. - Treatment and funding for jail diversion: benefit, low. The law provides for substance-use jail diversion programs in separate counties at locations approved by the Department of Public Health. Each must have at least 60 beds and provide court assessments, inpatient treatment up to 90 days, and case management up to one year. A district attorney, workin… - Treatment support during custody and parole: benefit, low. For FY2027, medication-assisted treatment in sheriff’s facilities receives $749,840 in Berkshire County and $105,932 in Franklin County. Neither appropriation may be spent from the state budget’s AA or DD spending classes. At least $1.5 million goes to the Criminal Justice and Community Support Tru… - Veteran plate revenue supports veterans' homes: benefit, low. After related Registry of Motor Vehicles costs are paid, 50% of VETERAN-designated license plate revenue supports veterans' homes. The money goes to operating accounts for the Chelsea and Holyoke homes. The total depends on plate revenue and Registry costs. - Community development funding for small cities: benefit, low. The law provides $44 million for the federal Small Cities Community Development Block Grant. The funding supports community development projects in Massachusetts small cities. This provision does not create direct household payments or state individual eligibility rules. - Construction funding for lower-income senior housing: benefit, low. At least $30,000 supports construction costs for low- to middle-income senior housing. The money goes through the Northern Bristol County Assistance Collaborative. This is project funding, not a direct payment to seniors. - Federal funding for shelter and vouchers: benefit, low. The law provides $34 million for the federal Continuum of Care Supplemental Housing grant. It also provides about $5.02 million for the McKinney Emergency Shelter Grants Program. Another $2.53 million funds the federal Stability Voucher grant. These appropriations support housing and shelter progra… - Housing and job help after incarceration: benefit, low. The probation office administers competitive nonprofit grants for residential reentry services, including transitional housing, job help, and case management. Eligible participants include people on parole or probation and people approved under state-law sections 49 and 86F of chapter 127. At least… - Housing services for older adults: benefit, low. Fiscal year 2027 funding includes $286,000 for housing assessment, placement, and homelessness prevention for homeless or at-risk older adults. The law also provides $2.575158 million for congregate and shared housing services, naturally occurring retirement communities, and long-term care ombudsma… - Local housing and homeownership program grants: benefit, low. The law funds named local housing, homelessness prevention, eviction prevention, and housing development programs. At least $500,000 supports the Saving Towards Affordable and Sustainable Homeownership program. At least $300,000 supports Lynn Housing Authority stabilization and referral services. A… - Minimum bed payments for homeless shelters: benefit, low. Organizations serving homeless people must receive an average payment of at least $25 per bed per night. This is a provider payment floor, not a cash payment to people staying in shelters. - Regional support to prevent homelessness: benefit, low. At least $50,000 goes to United Way of Pioneer Valley for the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness. It supports Housing First coordination centered on racial equity in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire Counties. At least $500,000 goes to the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter… - Required lease for Weston railroad station land: benefit, low. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority must enter a lease with Friends of the Weston Depot by October 1, 2026. The lease covers the land at 55 Church Street in Weston where the railroad station sits. The law does not state a lease price or change passenger services. - Shelters can fund alternative housing services: benefit, low. Existing shelter programs can renegotiate how they use shelter funds for proven alternatives. Options include Housing First, transitional housing, and help avoiding shelter. Both the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and the host municipality must agree. - Accessible recreation funding for disabled participants: benefit, low. The law directs at least $15,000 from after-school and out-of-school program funds to the Paris Street Council. The money supports its programs, including expanded accessible recreation and partnerships with the Special Olympics. - Advanced training funding supports home-care aides: benefit, low. The law provides about $1.184 million for advanced-skill training for home-care aides. The secretary of aging and independence administers the grant program. Trained aides must serve people in the state elder home-care program. The provision does not set individual worker or household payments. - Disability employment services receive protected funding: benefit, low. MassAbility's federally funded vocational rehabilitation grant receives about $50.18 million in fiscal year 2027. No deductions are allowed for pensions, health or life insurance, or similar indirect costs of federally reimbursed state employees. Regional employment collaboratives serving people wi… - Employment grants support residents with disabilities: benefit, low. The law provides $8.75 million for the Commission for the Blind's federal vocational rehabilitation grant. That grant cannot have deductions for pensions, group health or life insurance, or similar indirect costs of federally reimbursed employees. For fiscal year 2027, the commission also receives… - Employment outreach funding supports disabled veterans: benefit, low. The law provides about $3.190 million for the federal Disabled Veterans Outreach Program. The money supports Massachusetts agencies providing employment outreach to disabled veterans. It does not set direct household payments or additional eligibility rules. - Families get clearer school meal rules: benefit, low. Every Massachusetts city and town must publish and share school meal charge policies in an easily accessible format. Policies must follow USDA guidance memorandum SP 46-2016. Publication is required by September 30, 2026, and before the 2026–2027 school year begins if possible. This disclosure rule… - Family medicine training gets local funding: benefit, low. The law provides $750,000 for teaching health centers with family medicine residency programs in Worcester, Lawrence, or South Boston. The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers administers the money and retains 5%. The remaining money supports training and is divided equally among eligib… - Federal funding supports young children: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $175,000 for Head Start Collaboration and $974,453 for Child Abuse Prevention. It also provides about $5.986 million for the Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five. These funds support the named federal early education and care programs. The provisions… - Funding for hiring credit and labor certification: benefit, low. The law provides $576,827 for Massachusetts administration of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit. It does not change the credit amount, who qualifies, or how much employers can claim. A separate federal grant provides $429,651 for labor certification administration. That grant does not establi… - Funding for worker safety and mine training: benefit, low. The law provides about $1.438 million for the federally funded OSHA 23G workplace safety program. It also provides $111,862 for federal mine safety and health training. These grants support Massachusetts safety agencies and training activities. They do not specify payments to workers or new worker… - Funding supports library services and technology: benefit, low. The law provides $3.661196 million in fiscal year 2027 for the federally funded Library Services Technology Act grant. The allocation supports Massachusetts libraries and their patrons. Funds are for the named grant, but the text does not specify services, individual eligibility, or a distribution… - Funding supports pathways into teaching careers: benefit, low. The law directs at least $450,000 to Journey into Education & Teaching, Inc. The money supports its work to build the educator workforce pipeline. The provision does not set direct payments to individuals. - Funding supports safer public college campuses: benefit, low. The law requires at least $150,000 for a campus violence prevention administrator and statewide campus safety work. This includes sexual-violence prevention at Massachusetts public colleges and universities. The funds support prevention programs rather than payments to students. - Funding supports workplace safety consultations: benefit, low. The law provides about $1.350 million for the federal OSHA Onsite Consultation Program in Massachusetts. The money supports workplace safety consultations. The provision does not state how many employers or workers receive services or establish direct household payments. - Funding supports young people's independent living: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides about $3.250 million for the federal Title IV-E Independent Living Program. It also provides about $1.044 million for the federal Education and Training Voucher program for eligible young people. These funds support independent living and education programs. T… - Funding supports youth learning and services: benefit, low. The law funds after-school, out-of-school, and summer learning grants, favoring joint proposals that improve quality and access. Programs must actively include children with disabilities, English learners, and low-income children. Applications must describe measurable results, accountability, and e… - Funding tracks workers' health and deaths: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Massachusetts provides $641,054 for expanded workplace health monitoring. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries gets $58,750 to collect data on workplace deaths. These grants do not provide household payments or change workplace safety requirements. - Grants expand preschool access for children: benefit, low. The law provides $15.5 million in grants to expand voluntary preschool for children eligible for kindergarten by September 2028. Funding also supports technical help, evaluation, summer programs, and Summer Step Up. Competitive awards favor districts serving high shares of high-needs students. Plan… - Grants help adult learners reach college: benefit, low. The state education department awards competitive grants to organizations committed to effective adult basic education. Funded services must help learners move from adult basic education into community-college certificate or degree programs. The provision does not state total funding or create an i… - Grants support charter and college students: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides about $2.291 million for Charter School Assistance and Distributions. It provides $5 million for Gear Up V and $3.2 million for Gear Up IV. Student Support Services receives $224,165, and Bristol Community College's Upward Bound Program receives $265,821. Thes… - Grants support racial balance in schools: benefit, low. The law funds grants for programs to eliminate racial imbalance in schools. This includes payments for services from METCO, Inc. and Springfield public schools. Grant applications approved by the state education department must include detailed budgets showing planned spending. Fiscal year 2027 fun… - Head Start and local childcare get funding: benefit, low. The law provides $20 million for Head Start grants, which can also support Early Head Start. Named local grants include at least $200,000 for student transportation at People, Incorporated's Fall River early education center. Jumpstart for Young Children receives at least $300,000 for preschool lan… - High-cost special education districts get aid: benefit, low. At least $250,000 supports districts with unusually high special education costs. Special education costs must exceed 25% of total district costs. Eligible tuition and related costs for approved private-school placements within the district must exceed $1 million. Those placement costs must also ex… - Local youth learning and recreation funded: benefit, low. At least $50,000 funds wellness and recreation improvements at Wayland High School and Happy Hollow Elementary School. At least $25,000 supports Gravel Pit Academy Foundation athletics and educational help for underserved South Shore youth. After-school funds provide at least $25,000 to the Coaliti… - Quality and mental health help for preschools: benefit, low. The law funds early education quality improvements, universal pre-kindergarten, inclusive learning grants, and mental health consultation. Public-private partnerships serving many high-needs students receive preference. Fiscal year 2027 includes $4.95 million for early childhood mental health consu… - Recovery high schools receive operating funds: benefit, low. Massachusetts recovery high schools receive about $2.78 million for administrative and program costs in fiscal year 2027. At least $100,000 of that money supports implementing recovery high schools. These schools serve young people needing recovery-focused education. The funding does not create dir… - Reproductive care training for medical residents: benefit, low. The law provides at least $250,000 in grants to Massachusetts hospitals offering reproductive health training, including abortion care. Eligible medical residents cannot receive that training in their state of employment because of that state’s abortion restrictions. Hospitals receiving grants must… - Rural schools receive targeted state aid: benefit, low. The law provides $16 million for districts with no more than 35 students per square mile. Average annual per-person income must be no higher than the state average; vocational, independent agricultural and technical, and charter schools are excluded. Priority goes first to districts below 11 studen… - School continuity for youth leaving facilities: benefit, low. The state education department must keep working with the Department of Youth Services on lessons in youth facilities. Lessons must align with statewide curriculum frameworks. The collaboration also supports young people returning from those facilities to regular public schools. - School grants teach health and safety: benefit, low. The law requires at least $2 million in school district grants for safe, responsible, and healthy social media use. Grants can fund evidence-based learning materials and educator training. At least $375,000 supports hands-on CPR training in public schools. At least $1 million supports farm-to-schoo… - School improvement and classroom learning funds: benefit, low. The law transfers $1 million to the Twenty-First Century Education Trust Fund for public schools designated as needing assistance. It supports closing achievement gaps, improving learning opportunities, sharing classroom practices, and district efficiencies. The law also provides $2.5 million to th… - School support for refugees and English learners: benefit, low. The law provides about $1.371 million in fiscal year 2027 for the federal Refugee School Impact grant. It supports the Office for Refugees and Immigrants and schools serving refugee students. At least $1 million funds intensive English-learning grants in districts serving legally defined gateway mu… - Schools get safety and bias-prevention grants: benefit, low. Safe and supportive school grants fund schoolwide action plans, statewide help, and a full-time staff member. Plans must use the full state framework and self-assessment tool; districts must also plan support for funded schools. Continuing recipients must include action plans in school improvement… - Schools receive student mental health support: benefit, low. The law provides $3.5 million for districts, charter schools, and educational collaboratives to strengthen student social, emotional, and behavioral supports. Grants can fund proven interventions and staff training, with preference for racial equity and culturally responsive approaches. At least $5… - Security funding for Hopedale students: benefit, low. The law directs at least $50,000 to Hopedale to plan, design, and install a security system at its Junior Senior High School. The money comes from the regional pupil transportation appropriation. This funds one school's security system, not a statewide program. - Senate fellowship funding supports public-service careers: benefit, low. The law requires at least $100,000 for a Senate fellowship pipeline program. The program must promote inclusive, diverse participation and introduce participants to long-term public-service employment opportunities. The provision does not set participant wages, stipends, or eligibility rules. - State matching funds support university internships: benefit, low. The law requires at least $1 million for the state university internship incentive program. The state matches each $1 privately contributed with $1 in state funds. Private contributions must go to a university's board of trustees or foundation. Total state matching funds cannot exceed the program's… - State university students get support funding: benefit, low. State universities receive $14 million in SUCCESS grants for services supporting vulnerable students. Services can include peer mentoring, study-skills workshops, and academic, career, or scholarship advising. The Department of Higher Education sets the distribution formula and criteria. Universiti… - Struggling schools get improvement funding: benefit, low. About $16.53 million supports schools and districts at risk of, or identified as, underperforming in fiscal year 2027. Funding supports turnaround planning, leadership, staff training, and teaching materials. Recipients must file comprehensive plans using proven, research-based practices; targeted… - Student testing and assessment pilots funded: benefit, low. The law provides about $40.83 million for statewide student and school tests and classroom portfolio assessment grants. Portfolio assessments can add to classroom testing but cannot replace the statewide standardized test. Spending for the 2026–2027 school year follows the state education board's d… - Students get mental health screening pilot: benefit, low. At least $1 million funds a pilot offering universal mental health screenings in participating kindergarten-through-grade-12 schools. Each participating school must form a mental health support team using existing student support staff. A team member must conduct the screenings. Participants must s… - Students get online and summer learning: benefit, low. JFYNetWorks receives $875,000 in fiscal year 2027 for online college and career readiness instruction for middle- and high-school students. Lessons must align with state standards and address learning gaps and preparation for required and college placement tests. Another $2.9403 million funds compe… - Students receive accessible learning and support: benefit, low. At least $750,000 supports students with intellectual disabilities through the Massachusetts chapter of Best Buddies. At least $200,000 funds accessible synthetic-audio books through the National Instructional Materials Access Center, along with training and outreach on accessible formats. It also… - Targeted funding supports student literacy: benefit, low. The law requires at least $50,000 for literacy programs in Winchester public schools. It also requires at least $440,000 for HILL for Literacy, Inc. HILL can use its fiscal year 2027 funds through June 30, 2028. These funds support literacy work, not direct payments to families. - Towns get help with school-aid shortfalls: benefit, low. A $4 million reserve offsets chapter 70 aid cuts caused by an unexpected drop in English language learners. Another $1.4555 million reserve helps towns facing federal impact aid shortfalls for educating children of federal employees on local military reservations. At least $150,000 must be availabl… - Worcester student program receives state funding: benefit, low. The law provides $2 million for the School of Excellence program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Sending school districts do not have to pay students' costs of attending the institute. The program must make every effort to recruit and serve equal numbers of male and female students. The Massach… - Youth job programs receive state support: benefit, low. The law authorizes high-school workplace partnerships linked to YouthWorks; businesses must provide at least a 200% match in student wages. Businesses must also commit resources for salaries, mentoring, instruction, and work with teachers. At least $200,000 supports Girls Inc. SMART and Eureka prog… - Youth mentoring programs receive matching grants: benefit, low. The Mass Mentoring Partnership runs competitive statewide grants for public and private agencies starting or expanding youth mentoring programs. Programs must use current best practices. Each recipient agency must match every $1 in grant money with $1 in matching funds. The partnership must report… - Federal grant funding supports Massachusetts tourism: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law allocates about $58.349 million for a federal statewide tourism recovery grant. The money supports Massachusetts tourism agencies and businesses served by the grant. The provision does not name eligible businesses or set a distribution formula or household payments. - Funding develops artificial intelligence for government: benefit, low. The law provides at least $250,000 to expand the AI For Impact program. The program designs, tests, and deploys artificial intelligence tools to improve state services and prepare the state workforce. The law does not name the services that change or quantify household effects. - Funding for local nonprofits and community projects: benefit, low. Fiscal year 2027 earmarks set minimum spending for named local groups, schools, municipalities, and projects, with each recipient’s stated purpose binding. Examples include $500,000 for the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, $280,000 for the Blackstone Valley Chamber, and $250,000 for the Jet… - Funding protects farmland and food systems: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, Agricultural Resources gets $5 million for the federally funded Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. Eligible farm and ranch land interests are beneficiaries, but individual award amounts and household eligibility rules are not specified. The department also gets $350,000… - Funding supports energy and cleaner vehicles: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $49,492 for the BIL-EECBG energy conservation program through Energy Resources. It also provides $675,374 for the federally funded Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program. Another $1.29924 million supports the federally funded State Energy Plan grant. Funds are limi… - Funding supports Federal Reserve Title I: benefit, low. The law provides $157,544 in fiscal year 2027 for the federally funded grant named Federal Reserve Title I. The money supports Massachusetts agencies administering that grant and is limited to its purposes. The text does not describe services, beneficiaries, or a distribution formula. - Funding supports ports for offshore wind: benefit, low. The law provides $4.75 million for port infrastructure supporting offshore wind development. The executive office must report to the specified legislative committees on infrastructure improvements by December 30, 2026. The money supports industry infrastructure, not direct household payments. - Funding supports sustainable fishing and research: benefit, low. The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance gets at least $500,000 for sustainable fishing modernization and maintenance. For fiscal year 2027, Fish and Game gets $250,000 for Commercial Fisheries Statistics and $400,000 for Interstate Fisheries Management Support. It also gets $102,000 for the AC… - Funding to extend Massachusetts tourism season: benefit, low. The law provides about $2.73 million in fiscal year 2027 for the federally funded Travel and Tourism Season Extension Grant. The funding supports tourism agencies and businesses served by the grant. This provision does not name eligible businesses or set household payments. - Grants support local projects and organizations: benefit, low. The fiscal year 2027 budget funds named community, tourism, cultural, public safety, recreation, and local development projects. One grant package totals $4.155 million, including $1.3 million to Boston for the HBCU Kickoff Classic Weekend at Harvard University. Separate grants include $1 million f… - State transfers money into General Fund: benefit, low. The comptroller must transfer $8 million from the Commonwealth Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Fund to the General Fund. The law does not assign this money to a specific service or household benefit. - Study examines Alewife to Concord transit: benefit, low. The law directs at least $50,000 to study extending the Red Line or creating bus rapid transit from Alewife. The study covers Route 2 to the Concord Rotary and examines financial feasibility and agency capability. This money funds a study, not construction or a promise of new service. - Water financing receives state financial support: benefit, low. The law provides about $63.38 million in contract assistance to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. Money may support debt payments, principal forgiveness, lower interest rates, and other financial assistance under its programs. The provision does not guarantee lower household water bills or speci… - State funding covers development agency bond payments: benefit, low. The law provides $13 million in contract assistance and other payments to the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency. The money covers debt service and related obligations on bonds issued under the specified acts. The administration and finance secretary must report by January 29, 2027. The repor… - Full reimbursement for some veterans' benefits: benefit, low. The state reimburses cities and towns for 100% of veterans' benefits paid to residents of specified housing facilities. Covered facilities are soldiers' homes, homeless shelters, and transitional housing. The reimbursement goes to the municipality, not as a separate payment to the veteran. - Funding for health centers and hospitals: benefit, low. At least $5 million supports allied-health workers at community health centers receiving federal funding under section 254(b). Payments must reflect financial need and prioritize recruiting and retaining a culturally and linguistically diverse workforce. Supports include loan repayment, training, w… - Funding keeps health information systems running: benefit, low. The law transfers about $14.18 million to the Health Information Technology Trust Fund. The money pays operating costs for statewide health information sharing and an integrated benefit eligibility system. It does not change who qualifies for benefits or create household payments. - Funding transfers support state health programs: benefit, low. The comptroller may move up to $15 million in employer medical assistance contributions from Commonwealth Care to the Health Safety Net. The finance secretary must direct the transfer, which can supplement other required FY2026 transfers. In FY2027, the secretary can direct federal health-program r… - Payment floor for residential care providers: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, residential care and rest-home rates must cumulatively total at least their January 1, 2026 levels. This sets a floor for covered provider payments. It does not set a new dollar rate or household charge. - Payment rules for nursing care facilities: benefit, low. For the period beginning October 1, 2026, nursing facility payment rates can use calendar year 2023 costs. The law also continues fiscal year 2006 standard rates reflecting higher kosher food costs. Those rates apply to nursing homes and non-acute chronic-disease hospitals providing kosher food wit… - Safety net providers gain payment protections: benefit, low. Health Safety Net payments can use the state's federal waiver, Medicaid or CHIP service-rate adjustments, or both. Covered federally qualified community health centers established under the 1995 law are protected from payment adjustments to shortfall allocations. References to the Medicaid Division… - Service contracts consider higher coastal costs: benefit, low. State health and human services agencies must consider higher local costs when contracting for services on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. The same rule applies in Provincetown. Agencies must consider costs of goods, services, and housing, but the law sets no required contract increase. - Targeted nursing home payments in two areas: benefit, low. At least $2.973456 million recognizes extra allowable costs in nursing facility base rates near North Adams. Facilities must be within 17 miles of 71 Hospital Avenue. At least $3.8 million recognizes costs above the October 1, 2024 base-year rate for a qualifying Martha's Vineyard facility. That fa… - Funding for rental help and housing: benefit, low. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $4 million for Section 811 Project Rental Assistance. It provides $10.2 million for Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation and $1.4 million for Family Self-Sufficiency. Emergency Housing Vouchers funded through the American Rescue Plan receive $9.75 million. Home I… - Technology supports state public housing operations: benefit, low. The state housing office may use funds to create and run a technology platform for state-aided public housing. It must collaborate and coordinate with housing authorities when changing the platform. The law does not specify a funding amount or provide direct household payments. - Adult learners get education program funding: benefit, low. The law provides about $58.39 million for adult basic education, including efforts to reduce English-learning waitlists and train program staff. Grant preference goes to organizations serving high shares of parents of infants through school-age children. Grants are not guaranteed. Phase 2 contracts… - Colleges gain broader workforce grant funding: benefit, low. More revenue sources can count toward community college workforce-training grant incentives. These include contracts funded through public agencies, municipalities, public grants, nonprofits, or private gifts. At least $100,000 goes to Holyoke Community College for Recompete Program support service… - Funding for Massachusetts job market surveys: benefit, low. The law provides about $1.94 million for federally funded Bureau of Labor Statistics work in Massachusetts. It also provides $75,000 for labor statistics surveys. These funds support state agencies, not direct household payments. - Funding for regional higher education: benefit, low. The law provides $433,525 for the New England Board of Higher Education. This provision does not specify funded activities or create a direct payment to students or families. - Funding helps districts cover school transportation: benefit, low. The law provides about $57.162 million to reimburse regional school districts for pupil transportation. It also provides about $35.219 million for transporting nonresident students covered by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Those costs must qualify under that federal law. Each r… - Funding supports Greenfield family medicine training: benefit, low. The law requires at least $250,000 for Baystate Franklin Medical Center's family medicine residency program in Greenfield. The money supports physician training. It does not provide direct household payments. - Funding supports job seekers and training: benefit, low. The law provides about $15.255 million for the federal Employment Services State Allotment. It also provides about $17.282 million for adult workforce activities and $19.110 million for youth workforce activities. The funds support Massachusetts job-service agencies and workforce programs. These pr… - Funding supports school budget review: benefit, low. The law requires at least $250,000 for the Foundation Budget Review Commission. The money funds the school-finance commission, not household payments. This appropriation does not itself change school funding formulas or family benefits. - Grants support apprenticeships and career training: benefit, low. The law provides about $2.118 million for the federal Apprenticeships USA State Accelerator Grant. The state education department also funds grants to develop or expand career and technical education, including career technical institutes. Vocational schools with documented admissions waitlists rec… - Grants support workers facing job disruption: benefit, low. The law provides about $22.092 million for the federal Dislocated Worker Formula Grant. It also provides $874,165 for Trade Adjustment Assistance and $551,195 for workforce National Emergency Grants. These funds support worker assistance, employment services, and workforce emergency programs in Mas… - Local grants support students and communities: benefit, low. The law provides about $7.972 million for local education improvement projects run by municipalities, school districts, and nonprofits. Projects support student services, technology, youth programs, workforce training, and facilities. Allocations include $200,000 for Urban College of Boston student… - Public schools get clean energy grants: benefit, low. The law provides $2 million in fiscal year 2027 for competitive clean energy grants to Massachusetts public schools and districts. Grants support installing or maintaining clean energy infrastructure. The state education department administers the program with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.… - Scholarships and training for early educators: benefit, low. The law directs at least $7.5 million to scholarships for eligible early education and care educators. It also provides $2.97 million in fiscal year 2027 for professional training, college opportunities, and related supports. The early education department coordinates programs with Massachusetts pu… - Schools must disclose transportation contract costs: benefit, low. For required out-of-district special education transportation, districts must request detailed costs and submit them annually to the state education department. Vendors must show cost breakdowns in bids, quotes, contracts, and future invoices; the department must report cost trends to education com… - Training and licensing help for nurses: benefit, low. The law provides $1.45 million in fiscal year 2027 for nursing and allied health workforce development. At least $500,000 supports public-college and health-provider partnerships for clinical training, teaching, and other workforce efforts. Minimum allocations include $200,000 for Northeastern’s Fa… - Transit academy funding supports skilled workers: benefit, low. The law directs at least $35 million from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority transfer to its academy program. The academy builds a pipeline of skilled transit workers. The provision does not set individual training benefits, wages, or entry requirements. - Clean energy funding supports workers and entrepreneurs: benefit, low. The law transfers $8 million to the Climatetech Investment Fund for investments and workforce initiatives under Massachusetts’s 2050 climate plan. At least $1 million must fund entrepreneurial fellowships providing direct, multi-year support to turn research into businesses, products, and jobs. The… - Renters face mandatory voucher loss rules: cost, high. A household loses its state rental voucher if a participant or member fails to provide a Social Security number for verification. The number is used to check household income and eligibility. Termination is also required for proven intentional damage exceeding two months' rent during any one-year p… - Cash aid barred after child removal: cost, medium. A family cannot receive Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children after a court-ordered child removal following a care and protection hearing. An adult also cannot qualify solely because dependent children were temporarily removed through Department of Children and Families procedures. - Funding limit for some MassHealth children: cost, medium. This funding item cannot pay for children and teens covered by chapter 118E, section 9A(2)(c), above 150% of the federal poverty level. The state health and human services office determines household income. This restriction applies to this funding item; it does not itself end all MassHealth eligib… - Possible dental coverage limits for adults: cost, medium. Beginning in fiscal year 2027, Massachusetts can limit specified federally optional adult dental services. This authority also covers services included in MassHealth Basic on January 1, 2002. MassHealth and the Health Safety Net can set per-patient dental caps, but no cap can be below $1,750. Emerg… - Seniors pay income-based home care fees: cost, medium. Qualified older adults receiving home care must pay sliding-scale fees. The secretary of aging and independence can waive collection for extreme financial hardship. Home care organizations can keep up to $16 million in fee revenue for the program without reallocation. The provision does not set an… - Weekly income checks for appointed lawyers: cost, low. The probation office must arrange weekly income checks for people seeking a court-appointed lawyer because they cannot afford one. It must use the Department of Revenue's wage-reporting and bank-match system to check eligibility. The law changes how income is checked, not who qualifies for appointe… - Emergency aid stops during incarceration: cost, low. People incarcerated in a correctional institution cannot receive Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children while incarcerated. This provision does not state a benefit amount. - Narrower health subsidy access for employees: cost, low. The employee health insurance subsidy is limited to employees ineligible for subsidized Health Connector insurance and every MassHealth program. Enrollment can also be capped to keep MassHealth spending within its appropriation. This provision does not create a separate payment duty for employees. - Pregnancy verification required for cash aid: cost, low. Pregnant applicants with no other eligible dependent children must verify pregnancy to receive Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children. They must meet the program’s financial and other eligibility requirements as though the child were born and living with them that month. This provisio… - Agencies can share special education data: cost, low. Four state agencies can share personal data about students in qualifying special education programs despite chapter 66A privacy restrictions. They are Elementary and Secondary Education, Early Education and Care, Children and Families, and the Disabled Persons Protection Commission. Programs must b… - Civil service applicants pay exam fees: cost, low. Each Massachusetts civil service exam applicant must pay a fee of at least $50. The Secretary of Administration and Finance must charge the fee. The law does not state the exact charge or the previous fee. - Funding supports probation-related DNA testing: cost, low. The probation office must spend at least $479,167 on DNA testing in fiscal year 2027. This funds testing of people subject to probation-related DNA testing. The provision does not itself set a new testing rule or household payment. - Probation expands testing and electronic monitoring: cost, low. The probation office must spend at least $450,000 to expand drug-testing capacity. Funds can support laboratory tests, oral testing, and urine tests that detect more substances. At least $350,000 expands electronic-monitoring capacity. The provision does not change monitoring conditions or state ho… - State legal payments need written approval: cost, low. Payments from a $1 million legal reserve face written approval requirements. The Attorney General must review and approve covered outside-counsel bills and settlements before payment. Covered counsel fees exceeding $250,000 cumulatively and settlements exceeding $250,000 also need approval from Adm… - Housing employees face elected-office limits: cost, low. A housing authority employee cannot also serve as an elected executive officer in the municipality where the authority is located. The rule limits concurrent public roles; it does not change household housing assistance. - Industry assessments cover utility regulation costs: cost, low. FY2027 assessments on covered entities must pay for specified Department of Public Utilities operating costs and staff benefits. Separate assessments must cover steam-distribution regulation and transportation network services division costs, including staff benefits. The law does not specify asses… - Auto insurers must fund rating board: cost, low. Massachusetts motor vehicle insurers must cover about $11.67 million for the motor vehicle insurance merit rating board’s operations. They must also cover related employee benefit costs. The law does not set a direct policyholder charge or a specific premium change. - Emergency programs must bill patient insurers: cost, low. Emergency service programs must take all reasonable steps to identify and bill the third-party insurer of every person served. This adds a billing duty for the programs. The provision does not impose a new patient fee or personal payment duty. Any patient cost depends on coverage and billing detail… - Funding barred for shortening newborn stays: cost, low. In fiscal year 2027, the executive office cannot fund case-management programs intended to shorten neonatal intensive care stays. This restricts program funding, but does not set a family payment or guarantee any length of stay. - Mental health assessment for insurance payors: cost, low. For FY2027, the commissioner must assess specified surcharge payors for MCPAP services provided on behalf of commercially insured clients. The commissioner must collect the amounts under Department of Mental Health rules. The law does not state the assessment amount or impose a direct household cha… - State health spending faces tighter limits: cost, low. State entities generally cannot fund chapter 118E program costs that lack federal reimbursement. Exceptions include specified administration, benefits for certain children in state care, and dental benefits for certain adults with developmental disabilities. They also cover certain mental instituti… - Civil service employers face claim fees: cost, low. The Civil Service Commission may charge an appointing authority a fee for each claim when inappropriate action occurred. The fees reimburse the Massachusetts General Fund. The law does not specify the fee amount or assign the fee to the claimant. - Family housing help with payment caps: mixed, high. Short-term housing aid generally requires emergency-shelter eligibility, with exceptions for families in the specified substance-use and family-service programs. Families get at least 12 months of housing and self-sufficiency case management; aid is capped at $30,000 in 24 months. A later 12-month… - Income limits for family emergency housing: mixed, high. Families entering emergency housing assistance must have income at or below 115% of the 2026 federal poverty level. A later, higher federal poverty level can be used instead. Families already receiving aid have a higher continuing-income limit. They become ineligible after income stays above 200% o… - Retirees get revised cost-of-living calculations: mixed, medium. Certain retirement cost-of-living calculations replace a fixed $13,000 amount with the maximum base established under the revised rules. The calculations also account for specified additional benefits. The effect on a retiree's adjustment depends on that base and their benefit calculation; a larger… - Community care options for adults in crisis: mixed, medium. The Department of Mental Health can spend up to $19 million on emergency room diversion to stabilize adults in crisis. It must discharge an inpatient client to community residential care when the client is clinically suited to a more integrated setting. Community capacity must provide equal or bett… - Veterans medical aid requires another application: mixed, medium. People seeking veterans' benefits for services covered by chapter 118E must also apply for medical assistance under that chapter. Veterans' agents must prepare and file the applications. The state health office must decide eligibility and notify the applicant and agent. Chapter 115 medical help can… - Housing aid appeals and identity requirements: mixed, medium. Families denied short-term housing help can appeal through the state housing appeals process. Families found ineligible for continuing benefits can receive aid while a timely appeal is pending. The state may request household members' Social Security numbers to verify income and eligibility. A fami… - New zoning exception standards and deadlines: mixed, medium. After a public hearing, local authorities must grant a zoning exception when they find strict enforcement causes practical difficulty. They must weigh applicant and public benefits, including housing, against neighborhood harm and consider the law's factors. Otherwise prohibited nonresidential uses… - Rental voucher limits and replacement options: mixed, medium. State rental voucher eligibility is limited to households earning no more than 80% of area median income. The state may reserve at least 75% of new vouchers for households at or below 30% at initial occupancy. That targeting rule is optional. Eligible tenants in project-based units may receive mobi… - Shelter aid ends after adequate offers: mixed, medium. Temporary emergency aid ends when available housing or other help sufficient to maintain or stabilize housing is offered. Declining an adequate offer makes a family ineligible. Families cannot be required to accept housing that fails to accommodate family size or disabilities. They also cannot be r… - Shelter families must build protected savings: mixed, medium. Families receiving emergency housing assistance must put 30% of their income into a savings account. Reasonable exceptions apply under executive office regulations in effect in fiscal year 2027. These savings do not count against otherwise applicable asset limits. Families may withdraw the money wh… - Shelter status checks with urgent exceptions: mixed, medium. Families must establish Massachusetts residency and intent to stay, and meet citizenship or immigration-status requirements. Covered statuses include U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, and permanent residence under color of law; a qualifying child provides an exception. Before placement,… - Voucher payments and minimum rent shares: mixed, medium. Voucher amounts may reflect household size, composition, income, and location; approved rent limits may reach 110% of fair market rent. Without a state payment standard or utility allowance, minimum contributions are at least 25% of net income without owner-provided utilities. The minimum is 30% wh… - Voucher rent shares and subsidy protections: mixed, medium. Project-based voucher households generally pay 30% of monthly net income toward gross rent, subject to limits from other subsidies. State payment standards can reach 110% of area-wide or small-area fair market rent; gross rent includes allowed tenant-paid utilities. Mobile-voucher households first… - Zoning approval protections and use deadlines: mixed, medium. Building-permit projects keep protection from later zoning changes when work or use starts within 24 months of the last needed permit. That clock pauses while applicants actively seek or obtain other needed permits; special permits and site plan approvals generally allow three years. Construction m… - Veteran judges can buy pension credit: mixed, medium. Qualifying veteran judges and justices can count up to four military-service years toward the minimum service for a judicial pension. Each credited year costs 10% of regular annual pay when they entered the retirement system. Payments must be made before or within one year of vesting. National Guar… - New capital gains revenue allocation formula: mixed, medium. The state changes its formula for identifying excess capital gains tax revenue. It uses 95% of average final certified revenue from the prior 10 fiscal years, including the latest completed year. The average is adjusted for inflation using the national GDP price index. This replaces the earlier fiv… - Home care protected but raises limited: mixed, low. In fiscal year 2027, state-funded homemaker and home health aide rates cannot increase if services or client numbers would fall. These funds also cannot pay direct-service worker raises that would reduce client services. The rule protects care availability while limiting rate and wage increases tha… - Broader sharing of families' childcare data: mixed, low. The law allows the early education department and listed agencies and organizations to share personal data about participating parents and children. Sharing covers investigations, waitlist management, program operation and evaluation, reporting, and policy development. This supports program adminis… - Local agencies pay regional lockup fees: mixed, low. The Suffolk sheriff’s office must enter agreements with law enforcement agencies and municipalities for regional lockup detention services. It must set and collect fees from those users. The office can spend up to $1.8 million in collected revenue to operate the lockup. The fees apply to participat… - Matching grants for alternative emergency responses: mixed, low. The law continues $1 million in municipal matching grants for public safety reforms, including behavioral-health and alternative emergency responses. Municipalities must contribute matching funds and submit a full implementation plan showing measurable public-health benefits. Projects must introduc… - Regional safety grants require local matches: mixed, low. The Shannon Community Safety Initiative receives $10.587424 million for one-time competitive grants. Grants support regional gang-violence prevention, intervention, policing, prosecution, and reintegration. Applicants must show regional needs and provide a joint plan with measurable outcomes, data-… - Risk tool informs pretrial release decisions: mixed, low. The law directs funding toward continued development and use of a validated pretrial risk-assessment tool in trial courts. The tool informs whether adult defendants are detained, released without bail, or released with conditions. It can inform both liberty-preserving release and restrictive detent… - Security grants with nonprofit matching costs: mixed, low. The law provides $5.45 million for security improvements at nonprofits at high risk of terrorist attacks or hate crimes. Priority goes to nonprofits that have experienced those attacks or crimes. At least $750,000 supports a security personnel pilot, whose participants must match every state dollar… - Sex-offense rules expand prosecution and classification: mixed, low. Charges for specified offenses can be filed at any time after qualifying DNA identification occurs beyond the usual deadline. DNA analysis must use evidence collected when the offense occurred. This applies only to chapter 265 offenses listed in sections 22 through 22D and 23 through 23B. The chapt… - Sheriff budgets face tighter spending controls: mixed, low. From FY2027 through FY2031, state budget officials must impose sheriff hiring and spending controls, including staff and large capital-spending limits. Hiring limits can be waived for demonstrated public safety needs. In FY2027, sheriffs cannot spend beyond available funding and must document short… - Infection services protected with funding limits: mixed, low. In fiscal year 2027, HIV/AIDS and related-condition services must remain at least at the previous year's level. Funding must be shared proportionately among affected demographic groups. This funding item cannot pay for disease research that year. HIV community testing vendors and tuberculosis care… - Criminal record access for housing screening: mixed, low. Funds can give housing authorities access to criminal offender records when reviewing applicants for state-assisted housing. This supports applicant screening and exposes applicants' criminal records to that review. The provision does not itself set a new eligibility standard or require a different… - Housing aid oversight and spending limits: mixed, low. The state must report certain emergency housing aid eligibility or benefit changes at least 90 days before they take effect. Reports must give the reasons and expected savings to designated legislative committees and clerks. Changes that benefit clients are exempt from this reporting rule. Separate… - School partnerships continue with data safeguards: mixed, low. The law funds continued school-district partnerships with local community groups through a pilot program. Partners may share identifiable student data, but only as allowed by law. The provision does not state a funding amount or guarantee a direct family benefit. - Insurers fund hazardous materials response costs: mixed, low. Specified insurers must cover 100% of the hazardous materials response appropriation and related staff benefit costs through an assessment. Covered insurers write commercial property multiple-peril policies' non-liability portion or commercial auto liability policies listed in their latest annual s… - Local aid delays and emergency advances: mixed, low. After November 30, payments to covered cities, towns, and counties maintaining agricultural schools are withheld until prior-year financial reports are accepted. The commissioner of revenue must certify that acceptance. Qualifying local entities facing an emergency cash shortage can receive advance… - Permit fee funding with rollback safeguards: mixed, low. The Department of Environmental Protection can spend up to $2.5 million in permit and compliance fees. The money supports timely permit decisions and compliance checks. The supporting fee increase ends if this funded item is eliminated or reduced in FY2027. It also ends if department operating fund… - New lottery games with prize minimum: mixed, low. The lottery commission can enter contracts or group agreements for games it has not currently or previously authorized. Winning tickets or shares must receive prizes totaling at least 45% of ticket-sale revenue. Contractors or licensors can receive a stated percentage of net or gross game revenue w… - New safeguards for auto repair payments: mixed, low. A permanent advisory board reviews auto body labor payments, with surveys at least every four years. The first survey is due January 1, 2027. When the insurance commissioner finds inadequate competition, a hearing must establish minimum statewide or regional labor reimbursement rates. Minimum rates… - Energy assessments fund conservation and staff: mixed, low. For fiscal year 2027, assessed entities must fund residential, commercial, and apartment conservation programs and the Department of Energy Resources. Assessment rates must cover the relevant appropriations and related staff benefit costs. The law does not state assessment amounts or how costs reac… - State agencies must use pharmacy provider: mixed, low. The state office for pharmacy services must serve the listed agencies, including the Worcester and Suffolk sheriffs' offices. Covered agencies cannot use an alternative pharmacy-services vendor. Pharmacy costs are charged to the specified budget item. The office must notify covered agencies of thei… - Special education program prices track inflation: mixed, low. For fiscal year 2027, the purchased-services bureau must increase chapter 71B program prices from final fiscal year 2026 levels. Increases use the inflation rate determined by the division. The bureau must adjust prices for extraordinary relief and accept applications for program reconstruction and… - Sports betting revenue divided among funds: mixed, low. The law divides specified sports betting revenue among seven funds without requiring appropriation. The General Fund receives 45%, workforce investment receives 10%, and economic development receives 2%. Gaming local aid receives 27.5%, and youth development and achievement receives 1%. Public heal… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: FY27 General Appropriation ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-07-01 | House | Committee of conference report accepted | pass | 142 | 6 | | | 2026-07-01 | House | Enacted | pass | 142 | 6 | | ## Actions (12) - 2026-07-09: Signed by the Governor, Chapter 137 of the Acts of 2026 - 2026-07-01: Laid before the Governor (Senate) - 2026-07-01: Enacted -see Roll Call #200 (Yeas 39 to Nays 1) (Senate) - 2026-07-01: Enacted - 142 YEAS to 6 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 224) (House) - 2026-07-01: Emergency preamble adopted (Senate) - 2026-07-01: Emergency preamble adopted (House) - 2026-07-01: Committee of conference report accepted, in concurrence (Senate) - 2026-07-01: Committee of conference report accepted - 142 YEAS to 6 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 223) (House) - 2026-07-01: Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting, the question being on acceptance (House) - 2026-07-01: Referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling (House) - 2026-07-01: Reported on a part of H5501 (House) - 2026-07-01: Reported from the committee of conference (House) ## Bill text - Chapter 137 of the Acts of 2026, 2026-07-09: [PDF](https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5555.pdf) ## Related bills - H 5435: An Act authorizing the town of Topsfield to continue to employment of police chief Neal Hovey (passed senate) - H 4585: An Act authorizing the town of Auburn to offer expanded senior property tax abatements (signed) - H 5515: An Act to increase the value of estates eligible for abatements pursuant to M.G.L. chapter 59, section 5, clauses seventeenth D and forty-first C in the town o… (passed house) - H 5520: An Act exempting George Patrinos from the maximum age requirement age for the position of firefighter in the town of Dudley (signed) - H 5429: An Act providing injured on duty compensation to Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinale (second reading) - H 4755: An Act amending the means tested senior citizen property tax exemption in the town of Sudbury (signed) ## Sources - [Chapter 137 of the Acts of 2026 (PDF)](https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5555.pdf) ## Related - [H 5435: An Act authorizing the town of Topsfield to continue to employment of police ch…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MA-H5435-194) - [H 4585: An Act authorizing the town of Auburn to offer expanded senior property tax aba…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MA-H4585-194) - [H 5515: An Act to increase the value of estates eligible for abatements pursuant to M.G…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MA-H5515-194) - [H 5520: An Act exempting George Patrinos from the maximum age requirement age for the p…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MA-H5520-194) - [H 5429: An Act providing injured on duty compensation to Chelmsford firefighter Nichola…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MA-H5429-194) - [H 4755: An Act amending the means tested senior citizen property tax exemption in the t…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MA-H4755-194) - [Massachusetts bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/massachusetts/bills) - [Massachusetts state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/massachusetts) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MA-H5555-194 (as of 2026-11-01).