Bill > H2195

This bill, titled "Relative to restrictions on public benefits," proposes to amend existing laws by adding a new chapter that establishes requirements for verifying lawful presence in the United States for individuals applying for state or federal public benefits. Specifically, it mandates that agencies and political subdivisions of the commonwealth verify the lawful presence of any natural person 18 years or older applying for these benefits, with certain exceptions for emergency medical conditions, disaster relief, public health assistance, and other essential services. Applicants can prove lawful presence through documents like a Massachusetts driver's license or identification card, military identification, or a Native American tribal document, or by submitting a notarized affidavit if such documentation cannot be produced. The bill also outlines penalties for knowingly making false statements in these affidavits, including fines and potential jail time, and establishes the use of the Federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) program for verifying the lawful presence of non-citizens. The intent is to prevent individuals who are not legally present in the U.S. from fraudulently obtaining public assistance, while also ensuring that verification processes do not unduly burden legal residents or cause significant delays.