Bill > H263

This bill requires several Massachusetts state departments to verify the citizenship or legal residency status of applicants before providing certain benefits, using the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Specifically, the bill mandates that the Department of Transitional Assistance verify citizenship for financial assistance applicants, the Department of Housing and Community Development check citizenship for low and moderate income housing programs, the Department of Public Health confirm citizenship for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program participants, and MassHealth verify citizenship before providing medical benefits. For each program, the respective department must register for the SAVE program and use it to confirm that applicants are either U.S. citizens or lawfully present aliens before granting any benefits. This legislation aims to ensure that state-provided social services and benefits are only accessed by individuals who are legally authorized to reside in the United States, adding an additional layer of immigration status verification to key assistance programs.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H263