H57: An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects
https://www.thesomervilletimes.com/getnews/tst_2_12_25.pdf
Somerville Times
Beacon Hill Roll Call
Feb. 12, 2025
$425 MILLION FOR SHELTER SYSTEM (H 57)
House 126-26, approved and sent to the Senate a fiscal 2025 supplemental budget that includes $425 million to fund the state's family shelter system and make some changes to tighten eligibility.
ecords local representatives' votes on roll calls from the week of Feb. 3-7, 2025. There were no roll Calls in the Senate last week. $425 MILLION FOR SHELTER SYSTEM ( H 57 passed House 126-26, approved and sent to the Senate a fiscal 2025 supplemental budget that includes $425 million to fund the state's family shelter system and make some changes to tighten eligibility. The vote was almost strictly along party lines with all Republicans voting against it and all but two Democrats voting for it. The Democrats say the measure makes major reforms while the GOP says the bill does not go far enough. "From the beginning of the shelter system crisis, the House has worked to reform the emergency assistance program to ensure that it remains financially viable," said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). "That's why the House led the effort to cap the maximum length of stay, and to require job training programs for folks in the shelter system, reforms that this supplemental budget builds on. By creating stricter eligibility requirements, along with increased security measures, this supplemental budget is the latest iteration of the House's continued commitment to protecting vulnerable children and families in Massachusetts in a fiscally sustainable manner." "Over the past several years, as the population of the emergency shelter system has grown, the House has attempted to uphold the commonwealth's right to shelter law while also being mindful of the long-term fiscal sustainability of the program," said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. "The reforms contained in this bill will ensure that right to shelter is maintained by further capping the length of stay and verifying eligibility, while also enacting stricter background checks on those who enter the shelter system to better protect the families who need these services the most." "I voted against [the bill] because Massachusetts cannot continue pouring taxpayer money into the emergency shelter system without implementing real, lasting reforms," said Rep. Steven Xiarhos (R-Barnstable). "As a former police officer with 40 years of experience, I know firsthand how proper criminal background checks should be conducted, and the simple CORI check outlined in this bill doesn't even come close. Without comprehensive background screenings at the state, federal and international levels, we risk compromising public safety and failing to protect the communities we serve." "Though there were some small reforms to the shelter sys
tem, they were only temporary and fell far short of what was necessary to address the problems associated with the program," said Rep. Joseph McKenna (R-Sutton). "Without substantial and permanent reforms, many of which were proposed by Republican amendments that were unfortunately rejected out of hand without even cursory consideration, this was not a bill that will adequately address the long-term financial stability of the EA shelter program, so was not a bill I could support." (A "Yes" vote is for the bill. A "No" vote is against it.) Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes BROADER BACKGROUND CHECKS (H 57) House 26-125, rejected an amendment that would expand the background checks that the state must conduct on emergency assistance shelter applicants by mandating universal criminal background checks that include criminal records at the state, federal and international levels; immigration or residency status; and presence on international or domestic criminal watch lists. "While the underlying bill requires individuals applying for emergency assistance housing benefits to disclose prior criminal convictions and calls for CORI checks to be conducted prior to placement, these checks are limited to crimes committed in Massachusetts," said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). "If we are serious about keeping dangerous criminals out of the shelter system, then we need to strengthen the background check requirement and mandate more comprehensive universal background checks that will disclose criminal records not only at the state level, but also at the federal and international levels." Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham) said that the amendment was an attempted Republican "backdoor" to "strangle our emergency shelter law altogether and kill it from within." He said the background checks the amendment would require would also check the education backgrounds of applicants, credit scores and financial information. "Now we want to find out the credit-worthiness of a young family applying for emergency shelter," said Day. He sarcastically asked if this credit check was going to make the shelters and residents safer -- finding out wh
25-H57MA Legislative Summary: H57: An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects [including $425 million to fund the family shelter system].
Summary by Somerville Times, Beacon Hill Roll Call, Feb. 12, 2025: H 57 passed House 126-26, a fiscal 2025 supplemental budget that includes $425 million to fund the state's family shelter system and make some changes to tighten eligibility. The vote was almost strictly along party lines with all Republicans voting against it and all but two Democrats voting for it. The Democrats say the measure makes major reforms while the GOP says the bill does not go far enough. Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, says, "The reforms contained in this bill will ensure that right to shelter is maintained by further capping the length of stay and verifying eligibility, while also enacting stricter background checks on those who enter the shelter system to better protect the families who need these services the most." Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) says, "I strongly oppose spending an additional $425 million on the unaccountable, unsustainable EA shelter program. The right to shelter law is in desperate need of reform. The Legislature embarrassed itself by loudly rejecting amendments to prioritize Massachusetts residents in shelters and to perform background checks. We've seen countless cases of rape, assault, drug trafficking and even death in the shelters."
Democratic Party Platform "Housing" (p. 18): Massachusetts Democrats will fight for... remaining a right to shelter state, which guarantees emergency shelter for everyone in need, and increased funding for homeless assistance programs
Legislative Outcome: Original bill H.57 as amended 2/6/25; H.58 as engrossed (H57 renamed); House Roll Call #11 passed House 126-26 on 2/6/25; Senate Roll Call #25 passed Senate 32-7 on 2/26/25; Signed by Gov. Healey asChapter 1 of 2025 on 2/28/25. 20 2 -2 0 Welfare & Poverty FOR $425 million to fund the state's family shelter system NO to $425 million to fund state's family shelter system [no sponsor list; all 7 "No" voters co-sponsored the amendment] https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H57 https://malegislature.gov/RollCall/194/HouseRollCall11.pdf
25-H57MA v1y
VOTE
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H58
It's the second item on the list indicating it passed 126-26
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H57
p. 18 of the platform
● Remaining a right to shelter state, which guarantees emergency shelter for everyone in
need, and increased funding for homeless assistance programs.
Q 20 2 Welfare & Poverty FOR $425 million to fund the state's family shelter system
Q 20 -2 Welfare & Poverty NO to $425 million to fund state's family shelter system
2/25/2025 House House concurred in the Senate amendment with a further amendment, see text of House document numbered 61 - 128 YEAS to 23 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 12 )
https://malegislature.gov/RollCall/194/HouseRollCall12.pdf
2/26/2025 Senate Enacted - see Roll Call #25 (Yeas 32 to Nays 7)
https://malegislature.gov/RollCall/194/HouseRollCall25.pdf
2/28/2025 Executive Signed by the Governo
MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H. 57 On Engrossment Yea and Nay 02/06/2025 05:03 PM No. 11 126 YEAS 26 NAYS 7 N/V
25-H57MA v1y Mr. Speaker
25-H57MA v1y Galvin
25-H57MA v1y McMurtry
25-H57MA v1y Sylvia
25-H57MA v1y Arciero
25-H57MA v1y Garballey
25-H57MA v1y Mendes
25-H57MA v1y Tarsky
25-H57MA v1y Arena-DeRosa
25-H57MA v1y Garcia
25-H57MA v1y Meschino
25-H57MA v1y Turco
25-H57MA v1y Armini
25-H57MA v2n Garry
25-H57MA v1y Michlewitz
25-H57MA v1y Tyler
25-H57MA v1y Arriaga
25-H57MA v1y Gentile
25-H57MA v1y Moakley
25-H57MA v1y Ultrino
25-H57MA v1y Ashe
25-H57MA v1y Giannino
25-H57MA v1y Montaño
25-H57MA v1y Uyterhoeven
25-H57MA v1y Ayers
25-H57MA v1y Gómez
25-H57MA v1y Moran F.
25-H57MA v1y Vargas
25-H57MA v1y Badger
25-H57MA v1y González
25-H57MA v1y Moran J.
25-H57MA v1y Vitolo
25-H57MA v1y Barber
25-H57MA v1y Gordon
25-H57MA v1y Moran M.
25-H57MA v1y Walsh
25-H57MA v1y Barrett
25-H57MA v1y Gregoire
25-H57MA v1y Murphy
25-H57MA v1y Wells
25-H57MA v1y Biele
25-H57MA x Haggerty
25-H57MA v1y Murray
25-H57MA v1y Williams
25-H57MA x Blais
25-H57MA v1y Hamilton
25-H57MA v1y Nguyen
25-H57MA v1y Worrell
25-H57MA v1y Cabral
25-H57MA v1y Hawkins
25-H57MA v1y O'Day
25-H57MA v1y Zlotnik
25-H57MA v1y Cahill
25-H57MA v1y Hendricks
25-H57MA v1y Ouellette
25-H57MA v2n --Jones--
25-H57MA v1y Cataldo
25-H57MA v1y Higgins
25-H57MA v1y Owens
25-H57MA v2n Ferguson
25-H57MA v1y Chan
25-H57MA v1y Hogan
25-H57MA v1y Paulino
25-H57MA v2n Frost
25-H57MA v1y Ciccolo
25-H57MA v1y Holmes
25-H57MA v1y Peisch
25-H57MA v2n Berthiaume
25-H57MA v1y Connolly
25-H57MA v1y Honan
25-H57MA v1y Philips
25-H57MA x Boldyga
25-H57MA v1y Consalvo
25-H57MA v1y Hong
25-H57MA v1y Plouffe
25-H57MA v2n Chaisson
25-H57MA v1y Cruz
25-H57MA v1y Howard
25-H57MA v1y Puppolo
25-H57MA v2n DeCoste
25-H57MA v1y Cusack
25-H57MA v1y Hunt
25-H57MA v1y Ramos, A.
25-H57MA v2n Gaskey
25-H57MA v1y Davis
25-H57MA v1y Kassner
25-H57MA v1y Ramos, O.
25-H57MA v2n Howitt
25-H57MA v1y Day
25-H57MA v1y Kearney
25-H57MA v1y Reid
25-H57MA v2n Kane
25-H57MA v1y Decker
25-H57MA x Keefe
25-H57MA v1y Reyes
25-H57MA v2n Lombardo
25-H57MA v1y Diggs
25-H57MA v1y Kerans
25-H57MA v2n Robertson
25-H57MA v2n Marsi
25-H57MA v1y Doherty
25-H57MA v1y Kilcoyne
25-H57MA v1y Rogers, D.
25-H57MA v2n McKenna
25-H57MA v1y Domb
25-H57MA v1y Kushmerek
25-H57MA v1y Rogers, J.
25-H57MA v2n Muradian
25-H57MA v1y Donaghue
25-H57MA x LaNatra
25-H57MA v1y Roy
25-H57MA v2n Orrall
25-H57MA v1y Donahue
25-H57MA x Lawn
25-H57MA v1y Ryan
25-H57MA v2n Pease
25-H57MA v1y Donato
25-H57MA v1y LeBoeuf
25-H57MA v1y Sabadosa
25-H57MA v2n Smola
25-H57MA v1y DuBois
25-H57MA v1y Lewis
25-H57MA v1y Sangiolo
25-H57MA v2n Soter
25-H57MA v1y Duffy
25-H57MA v1y Linsky
25-H57MA v1y Saunders
25-H57MA v2n Sullivan-Almeida
25-H57MA v1y Elliott
25-H57MA v1y Lipper-Garabedian
25-H57MA v1y Scanlon
25-H57MA v2n Sweezey
25-H57MA v1y Farley-Bouvier
25-H57MA v1y Livingstone
25-H57MA v1y Scarsdale
25-H57MA v2n Thurber
25-H57MA v1y Ferrante
25-H57MA v1y Luddy
25-H57MA v1y Schwartz
25-H57MA v2n Vaughn
25-H57MA v1y Finn
25-H57MA v1y MacGregor
25-H57MA v1y Sena
25-H57MA v2n Vieira
25-H57MA v1y Fiola
25-H57MA v1y Madaro
25-H57MA v1y Shand
25-H57MA v2n Wong
25-H57MA v1y Flanagan
25-H57MA v1y Mahoney
25-H57MA v1y Silvia
25-H57MA v2n Xiarhos
25-H57MA v1y Fluker-Reid
25-H57MA v1y Markey
25-H57MA v1y Sousa
25-H57MA x --Whipps--
25-H57MA v1y Gallagher
25-H57MA v1y McGonagle
25-H57MA v1y Stanley
*=AFTER VOTE P=PRESENT X=NOT VOTING
Senate -- Roll Call #25 H.58 -- Question on passing the bill to be enacted (majority) YEAS. Barrett, Michael J. Friedman, Cindy F. Brady, Michael D. Gómez, Adam Brownsberger, William N. Jehlen, Patricia D. Collins, Nick Keenan, John F. Comerford, Joanne M. Kennedy, Edward J. Creem, Cynthia Stone Kennedy, Robyn K. Crighton, Brendan P. Lewis, Jason M. Cronin, John J. Lovely, Joan B. Cyr, Julian Mark, Paul W. DiDomenico, Sal N. Miranda, Liz Driscoll, Jr., William J. Moore, Michael O. Edwards, Lydia Oliveira, Jacob R. Eldridge, James B. Payano, Pavel Feeney, Paul R. Rausch, Rebecca L. Fernandes, Dylan A. Rodrigues, Michael J. Finegold, Barry R. Rush, Michael F. − 32. NAYS. Dooner, Kelly A. O'Connor, Patrick M. Durant, Peter J. Tarr, Bruce E. Fattman, Ryan C. Velis, John C. − 7. Montigny, Mark C.
Senate -- Roll Call #25 H.58 -- Question on passing the bill to be enacted (majority) YEAS.
25-H57MA v1y Barrett
25-H57MA v1y Friedman
25-H57MA v1y Brady
25-H57MA v1y Gómez
25-H57MA v1y Brownsberger
25-H57MA v1y Jehlen
25-H57MA v1y Collins
25-H57MA v1y Keenan
25-H57MA v1y Comerford
25-H57MA v1y Edward Kennedy
25-H57MA v1y Creem
25-H57MA v1y Robyn Kennedy
25-H57MA v1y Crighton
25-H57MA v1y Lewis
25-H57MA v1y Cronin
25-H57MA v1y Lovely
25-H57MA v1y Cyr
25-H57MA v1y Mark
25-H57MA v1y DiDomenico
25-H57MA v1y Miranda
25-H57MA v1y Driscoll
25-H57MA v1y Moore
25-H57MA v1y Edwards
25-H57MA v1y Oliveira
25-H57MA v1y Eldridge
25-H57MA v1y Payano
25-H57MA v1y Feeney
25-H57MA v1y Rausch
25-H57MA v1y Fernandes
25-H57MA v1y Rodrigues
25-H57MA v1y Finegold
25-H57MA v1y Rush
− 32.
NAYS.
25-H57MA v2n Dooner
25-H57MA v2n O'Connor
25-H57MA v2n Durant
25-H57MA v2n Tarr
25-H57MA v2n Fattman
25-H57MA v2n Velis
25-H57MA v2n Montigny
− 7.
NAYS. − 7.
All 7 of the naysayers voted NO and also sponsored the opposing bill H.48
Dooner, Kelly A.
O'Connor, Patrick M.
Durant, Peter J.
Tarr, Bruce E.
Fattman, Ryan C.
Velis, John C.
Montigny, Mark C.
S.17
An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects
https://www.thesomervilletimes.com/getnews/tst_2_19_25.pdf
$425 MILLION FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
(EA) SHELTER SYSTEM (S 16)
Senate 33-6, approved a fiscal 2025 supplemental budget that includes $425 million to fund the state's emergency shelter system and make some changes to tighten
eligibility for it.
[NOTE: This is the Senate version of the bill covered in DK2307. I'm not clear how their numbering system works. This started off as S16 and after the amendment process and adding an emergency preamble it became S17. The attached vote is of the final Senate roll call on the amended version merged with the House version, H58.]
Senate 33-6, approved a fiscal 2025 supplemental budget that includes $425 million to fund the state's emergency shelter system and make some changes to tighten eligibility for it. The vote was almost strictly along party lines with all Republicans voting against it and all but one Democrat voting for it. The Democrats say the measure makes major reforms. The Republicans say while the bill includes some reforms they have long sought, it does not go far enough, and they all voted against it. The House has already approved a different version of the bill and a House-Senate conference committee will likely hammer out a compromise version. The bill would cap capacity in the system at 4,000 families for the period Dec. 31, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2026. There were more than 6,000 families relying on the system at the end of January. Other provisions reduce the maximum length in a shelter from nine to six consecutive months; phase out the use of hotels and motels for emergency housing by the end of this year; require a report on strategies to prevent homelessness and promote stable rehousing; and make temporary respite sites available to families that appear eligible for the system for up to 30 days upon arrival in Massachusetts. "Today we struck a balance between our fiscal responsibility to Massachusetts taxpayers and our moral obligation to moms, dads and kids who are in a difficult moment," said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). "We prioritize Massachusetts families in need, ensure transparency in the program and lay the groundwork for long-term solutions to homelessness." "I'm pleased that the Senate has passed this supplemental budget to provide funding and further clarify supportive services for unhoused families in the commonwealth," said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "The Senate has largely concurred with the House in making these important but necessary changes to the family shelter system. These adjustments will allow families to transfer out of these temporary housing units more readily, continue our track of providing sustainable employment and provide a glide path for exiting the system.
Rodrigues continued, "This bill strikes a balance by supporting families in crisis, while responsibly managing taxpayer dollars as we redouble our efforts to move the EA shelter system towards a fiscally sustainable future. Going forward, this legislation also puts more stringent reporting requirements from the Administration, so the Legislature can continue to track and monitor the EA shelter program." "I strongly oppose spending an additional $425 million on the unaccountable, unsustainable EA shelter program," said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). "For years, I have sounded the alarm bell that the right to shelter law is in desperate need of reform. Yesterday, the Legislature embarrassed itself by loudly rejecting amendments to prioritize Massachusetts residents in shelters and to perform background checks. We've seen countless cases of rape, assault, drug trafficking and even death in the shelters." Sen. Patrick O'Connor (R-Weymouth) said he voted against the bill, as he has voted against every spending bill that has included exorbitant funding for our shelter system since a migrant crisis emerged in late 2023. "Simply put, our state cannot afford to keep pouring massive sums of money into this unsustainable system," said O'Connor. "We need serious reforms to our EA shelter system and our Right to Shelter law, which is why I've also filed a bill to restrict the right to shelter to Massachusetts residents - as was the original intent of the law. It is my hope that we will achieve significant reforms to the EA shelter system that will ensure its long-term fiscal sustainability and protect this valuable resource for Massachusetts residents." "For the last three years, the Senate and legislature has been spending billions of dollars for the shelter program riddled with active criminals, yet they still refuse to impose comprehensive background checks," said Paul Craney, executive director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. "How many more years will it take before the Legislature finally sees the value in national and international background checks is unknown. What is known is that the Senate is happy to join the House in spending more of our taxpayer money to bail out the failed shelter program." (A "Yes" vote is for the bill. A "No" vote is against
p. 18 of the platform
● Remaining a right to shelter state, which guarantees emergency shelter for everyone in
need, and increased funding for homeless assistance programs.
FOR $425 million to fund the state's family shelter system
NO to $425 million to fund state's family shelter system
SenateRollCall25.pdf
Feb/28/25 Signed by Governor Maura Healey
Senate -- Roll Call #25 H.58 -- Question on passing the bill to be enacted (majority) YEAS. 32.
Barrett, Michael J. Friedman, Cindy F. Brady, Michael D. Gómez, Adam Brownsberger, William N. Jehlen, Patricia D. Collins, Nick Keenan, John F. Comerford, Joanne M. Kennedy, Edward J. Creem, Cynthia Stone Kennedy, Robyn K. Crighton, Brendan P. Lewis, Jason M. Cronin, John J. Lovely, Joan B. Cyr, Julian Mark, Paul W. DiDomenico, Sal N. Miranda, Liz Driscoll, Jr., William J. Moore, Michael O. Edwards, Lydia Oliveira, Jacob R. Eldridge, James B. Payano, Pavel Feeney, Paul R. Rausch, Rebecca L. Fernandes, Dylan A. Rodrigues, Michael J. Finegold, Barry R. Rush, Michael F. −
NAYS. − 7.
Dooner, Kelly A.
O'Connor, Patrick M.
Durant, Peter J.
Tarr, Bruce E.
Fattman, Ryan C.
Velis, John C.
Montigny, Mark C.