Bill > H2466

This bill establishes the Flexible Assistance for Survivors of Violence (FAS) pilot grant program within the Department of Public Health, designed to provide direct cash assistance to survivors of various forms of violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence, community violence, and other traumatic experiences. The program will create a competitive grant process for community-based organizations to distribute flexible cash assistance (such as prepaid cards, checks, or direct bank deposits) to survivors with minimal documentation requirements. A six-member advisory committee, representing diverse backgrounds and experiences, will oversee the grant program, with a focus on supporting vulnerable survivors, including survivors of color, elderly survivors, survivors with disabilities, transgender survivors, and low-income survivors. The bill emphasizes reducing administrative barriers, allowing survivors to self-attest to their experiences without requiring external documentation or law enforcement reports, and ensuring funds can be distributed quickly to meet immediate financial needs. Organizations can use grant funds for direct cash assistance to survivors and administrative costs, with an annual reporting requirement on the number of survivors assisted and the average assistance amount. The Department of Public Health is required to publish a public report on the program's impact by July 1, 2028, with potential recommendations for a permanent grant program.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2466