Bill > H3441

This bill establishes the Commonwealth Housing, Economic, Education and Equity in Recovery and Reconstruction (CHEEERR) Act, which aims to address systemic racial, social, and economic disparities revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for Black and Latino residents. The legislation creates a Massachusetts Bureau on Social and Economic Equity with an administrator appointed by the governor, who will oversee several key initiatives. These include establishing multiple funds: a Health, Economic, Education, and Equity Recovery and Reconstruction Fund, a Small Business Stabilization and Support Fund, an Incarceration to Incorporation Entrepreneurship Fund, and a Service Corps Fund. The bureau will work to identify and mitigate disparities in areas like housing, healthcare, education, and economic opportunity for communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. A significant component is the creation of a Commonwealth Service Corps (CHEEERRS Corps) composed of 17-26 year-old members from disparately impacted communities who will work on community service projects. The bill also includes provisions for providing technical assistance to small businesses, supporting returning citizens' entrepreneurship, and creating innovative re-entry programs. The overall goal is to provide targeted support and resources to communities that have historically experienced economic and social inequities, with a particular focus on racial and economic justice.