The MA Coalition for the Homeless is advocating for the passage of two bills in the MA House of Representatives, House Bill 3388 and House Bill 3360, that would establish a fee waiver process for youth and adults experiencing homelessness that are seeking standard Mass IDs. The bills would create a process for applicants who are experiencing homelessness to submit residency documentation from providers of homelessness and/or youth services and state agencies under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. An ID is required in order for individuals to apply for both employment and for housing as well as for many other typical life tasks including picking up mail, opening a financial account, enrolling in education programs and accessing essential services.
Advocacy groups are working to get these bills on the MA House of Representatives calendar by the end of this legislative session. You can help by contacting the Chair and Vice Chair of the House Ways and Means committee as well as your own MA State House representative. The contact information for representatives and a link to a fact sheet about the legislation are noted below.
MA House of Representatives names and contact information:
House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz: Aaron.M.Michlewitz@mahouse.gov, (617)722-2990
House Ways and Means Vice Chair Ann-Margaret Ferrante: Ann-Margaret.Ferrante@mahouse.gov, (617)-722-2380
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Acton Precincts 1,2,6, and 7; Carlisle; Chelmsford Precincts 7,8,9,10, and 11 and Concord Precincts 1,2,3A, and 5: 14th Middlesex District; Simon Cataldo – Simon.Cataldo@mahouse.gov, (617)722-2582
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Ayer, Boxborough, Groton Precincts 1 and 3A, Harvard, and Acton Precincts 3,4,5, and 6A: 37th Middlesex District; Danillo A. Sena – Danillo.Sena@mahouse.gov, (617) 722-2014
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Concord Precincts 3 and 4, Lincoln Ward 1, and Sudbury: 13th Middlesex District; Carmine Gentile- carmine.gentile@mahouse.gov, (617)-722-2810
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Littleton, Westford: 2nd Middlesex District; James Arciero – James.Arciero@mahouse.gov, (617)722-2575
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Bolton, Hudson, Maynard, and Stow: 3rd Middlesex District; Kate Hogan – Kate.Hogan@mahouse.gov, (617)722-2600
MA House of Representative district finder: https://malegislature.gov/Redistricting/FindYourNewDistrict
Fact sheet for Everyone Needs an ID House bills: https://www.mahomeless.org/_files/ugd/6c63ec_e96ff406fe3e4e75b0b253cc489e8cc9.pdf