October 12, 2023

Hello!

Please join us for our fall push to pass the Mass ID access bill! On July 27th, the State Senate unanimously passed Senator Robyn Kennedy's bill, Senate Bill 2251, to provide easier access to Mass IDs for youth and adults experiencing homelessness. As we reported recently, the bill is now awaiting action in the House Committee on Ways and Means, and we need your help letting House Leadership and your State Representative know that this is an important issue to you!

Please sign and share our one-minute online action to House Leadership and your State Representative to take swift action to advance the Senate version of the Mass ID Access Bill. Thank you to everyone who already has signed and shared this action!

What would the Everyone Needs ID/Mass ID access bill do?

The Everyone Needs ID/Mass ID access bill (Senate Bill 2251 and its House companions, House Bill 3388, filed by Representative Jim O'Day, and House Bill 3360, filed by Representative Kay Khan) would:

• Establish a fee waiver process for youth and adults experiencing homelessness seeking standard Mass IDs
• Create a process for individuals experiencing homelessness to apply for standard Mass IDs if they cannot meet the existing criteria by allowing ID 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 (EOHHS)
• Expand upon the Registry of Motor Vehicles’ efforts to better serve people experiencing homelessness

This bill is very important, as obtaining a state identification card is a critical first step for youth and adults experiencing homelessness to accomplish typical life tasks and access opportunities. ID is required for a broad range of life activities, such as:

• Applying for jobs
• Enrolling in education programs
• Getting a library card
• Picking up a package from the post office
• Opening financial accounts
• Entering certain government buildings
• Accessing services
• Interacting with law enforcement

What is the bill's status?

Senate Bill 2251 was sent to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and promptly passed the Senate unanimously on July 27, 2023. That version of the Mass ID access bill is now awaiting action in the House Committee on Ways and Means. (The House versions of the bills are still in the Joint Committee on Transportation).

How can you be part of the campaign?

• Please sign and share our one-minute email action to House Speaker Ron Mariano, House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, and your own State Representative. The action can be signed and shared here: https://mahomeless.org/mass-id-access-action-2023/

• If you are part of an organization, please also help us to get your organization to officially support this campaign by becoming an organizational endorser. The endorsement form is available here to complete and share: https://tinyurl.com/massid2324

• Want to do more? Please follow up your email action with a phone call. Ask your State Representative to urge House Leadership to bring the Mass ID access bill, Senate Bill 2251, to a vote as soon as possible. State Representatives can be reached via the State House switchboard: 617-722-2000. The full contact information for each Representative is included on the Legislature’s website. Unsure who your Representative is? Find them by entering your address/address where you are staying here.

• Stay tuned for details on an upcoming State House briefing.

Read more on the Mass ID access advocacy campaign: Bill fact sheet (PDF)

Thanks again for helping to ensure that everyone has access to basic identification cards, regardless of their housing status.

Best wishes,

Kelly and Julia



Kelly Turley

Associate Director

Pronouns: She/her/hers

kelly@mahomeless.org

Julia Garvey

Community Organizer/Legislative Advocate

Pronouns: She/her/hers

julia.garvey@mahomeless.org