Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H214: An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty
Status: In committee, January 12, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
SECTION 1. Section 2 of chapter 118 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the fourth paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-- Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the payment standards for monthly benefits for the program not including the rental allowance shall be increased effective July first of each year beginning with July 1, 2025 by 20 percent above the payment standard in effect in the previous fiscal year until the payment standard for the household size equals 50 percent of the federal poverty level for the household size; provided further, that once the payment standard for the household size equals 50 percent of the federal poverty level for the household size, the payment standard shall be increased effective July first of each year in order that the payment standard shall be no less than 50 percent of the poverty level for the household size as determined by the federal Department of Health and Human Services; provided further, that the need standard and the payment amounts shall be further increased by the amount of a clothing allowance in the month for which it is paid and by the rental allowance for households incurring a rent or mortgage expense and not residing in public …
Sponsors
- Marjorie Decker (D, 25th Middlesex) · primary sponsor
- Adrianne Ramos (D)
- Danillo Sena (D)
- Shirley Arriaga (D)
- Christopher Worrell (D)
- Adrian Madaro (D)
- John Barrett (D)
- Sean Reid (D)
- Bridget Plouffe (D)
- Priscila Sousa (D)
- Steven Ultrino (D, 33rd Middlesex)
- Kristin Kassner (D)
Latest actions
- : Accompanied a study order, see H5233
- : Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
- : Accompanied by H207, H254 and H281
- : Reporting date extended to Thursday, October 9, 2025
- : Hearing scheduled for 09/16/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities (December 15, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H214?
- H214 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty.
- What is the status of H214?
- In committee as of January 12, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5233 (March 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored H214?
- Marjorie Decker (D, 25th Middlesex), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H214?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H214
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.