HB 1598-FN-A (2024): relative to the department of health and human services management of social security payments and veterans benefits for children in foster care.

HB 1598-FN-A (2024)

relative to the department of health and human services management of social security payments and veterans benefits for children in foster care.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2023-2024
• House committee: Children and Family Law
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Children
• Chapter law: 205

The Story

It was introduced on January 3, 2024 and referred to the House Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 9, 2024, with 13 people signed in online: 12 in support and 1 in opposition. The majority of the committee recommended that the House pass it by a vote of 12–1, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee met in executive session on January 9, 2024 to vote on its recommendation. The minority of the committee recommended that the House kill it. On February 1, 2024 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. On February 1, 2024 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held work sessions on March 6, 2024, March 11, 2024, March 18, 2024 and March 22, 2024. The committee met in executive session on April 2, 2024 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 25–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1308h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2024-1308h) was adopted on a voice vote on April 11, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On April 11, 2024 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on April 11, 2024 and was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on May 1, 2024. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 15, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it. On May 22, 2024 the Senate adopted “Special Order to 05/23/2024, Without Objection”. On May 23, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 12, 2024, making it Chapter 205 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Mary Jane Wallner (D - Merr 19) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Debra DeSimone (R - Rock 18)
• Rep. Maureen Mooney (R - Hills 12)
• Rep. Patrick Long (D - Hills 23)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 9, 2024, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Children and Family Law, LOB 206-208
• January 9, 2024, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Children and Family Law, LOB 206-208
• March 6, 2024, 1:30 PM: work session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• March 11, 2024, 1:00 PM: work session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• March 18, 2024, 2:00 PM: work session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• March 22, 2024, 12:00 PM: work session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• April 2, 2024, 11:30 AM: executive session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• May 1, 2024, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, LOB 101

Votes

• February 1, 2024, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• April 11, 2024, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1308h — voice vote, passed
• May 15, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 23, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 4, page 12
• HC 14, page 14
• SC 17
• SC 19
• SC 20A