MA S2575

Supplemental appropriations totaling over $163 million for FY2025 across multiple agencies, including $60 million for home care services, $42.9 million for residential assistance for families in transition, and $28.9 million for settlements and judgments

$40 million reserve to expand public defenders, with a goal of hiring approximately 160 new attorneys by end of FY2026 and an additional 160 by end of FY2027 to address unrepresented indigent defendants

Increases private bar advocate compensation rates effective August 1, 2025 (homicide cases to $130/hour, superior court to $95/hour, district court to $75/hour) with additional increases in August 2026

$15.5 million for transition to chipped electronic benefits transfer cards and reimbursement for SNAP benefits stolen through card skimming or cloning fraud

$10 million in grants to reimburse municipalities for extraordinary emergency medical service costs, with at least $5 million designated for fire departments affected by the Nashoba Valley Medical Center closure