MA H215

Families in temporary emergency assistance shelters become immediately eligible for homeless child care assistance vouchers from the Department of Early Education and Care, without meeting work requirements

Families meeting the federal McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act definition of homeless qualify for child care assistance vouchers regardless of work requirements

Shelter residency verification letters qualify families for full-time childcare referrals from the Department of Transitional Assistance

Children ages 0-3 in homeless families automatically qualify for early intervention services through the Department of Public Health, with eligibility lasting one year after shelter exit or until age 3, and required evaluation within 30 days

The department must adopt regulations and remove procedural barriers within 90 days of the act's effective date