By Bob Katzen

The Senate 6-32, rejected an amendment that would require that to be eligible for benefits under the emergency assistance shelter program, an applicant must have resided in Massachusetts for twelve

consecutive months immediately prior to the date of their application. The applicant must also provide an acceptable form of verification such as tax returns; a MA REAL-ID; a utility bill; a lease or mortgage; or pay stubs showing Massachusetts employment. The residency requirement would not apply to victims of domestic violence or to any person whose living situation has been affected by a fire or other natural disaster that occurred in the Bay State.

Amendment supporters said the amendment is fair and reasonable and makes it easy to prove a 12-month residency.

Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on the defeat of his amendment.

Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont) said the amendment is unconstitutional and immoral. He said that the U.S. Supreme Court and the state’s Supreme Judicial Court have ruled that a state cannot discriminate against people who have not lived in the state very long.

(A “Yes” vote is for the 12-month residency requirement. A “No” vote is against it.)

Sen. Patricia Jehlen No