Massachusetts Senate To Debate Welfare Overhaul

The Massachusetts Senate is planning to debate a compromise welfare overhaul bill.

The bill would revive a state program first established in 1995 designed to help place welfare recipients in full-time work. It would also require the Department of Transitional Assistance to assign specialists to help high-risk recipients.

The bill also includes a program to help recipients save money for first, last and security rent payments and education while stiffening penalties for store owners who knowingly allow the purchase of prohibited products or services with electronic transfer cards.

It would also require welfare officials share information with police and the courts about recipients who have felony warrants.

The legislation initially came up for debate last week, but Senate Republicans pushed for a one-week delay saying they wanted more time to review the legislation.

[Associated Press]