Bill > H238

This bill establishes a pilot program through the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services to provide financial assistance to families with children diagnosed with terminal illnesses. The program will offer one-time, low-interest loans of up to $10,000 to thirty individuals in the state, with a "terminal illness" specifically defined as a condition likely to cause death within six months. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements set by the Department of Public Health, and the loan can only be used for expenses directly related to caring for the terminally ill child. The loan will be placed in a separate account accessible to both the department and the recipient, with an interest rate set at either 2% or the current market rate, whichever is higher. Loan repayment begins one year after issuance and is due monthly, with a penalty of a 15% interest rate for non-compliance. Recipients will need to provide documentation such as receipts or bills to verify expenditures if requested by the Department of Public Health.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H238