The Massachusetts Senate later this week is expected to vote on a welfare reform plan. The House has already approved the bill.
The bill would require recipients to look for work before applying for welfare. Lying about a job search could result in perjury charges. If recipients can’t find a job on their own, the the state would help them look and if necessary - provide job training. Senator Jen Flanagan, a Leominster Democrat, was on the conference committee:
“We want to ensure that the welfare system is a transitional program and people are not living off the system for decades and generations.”
The bill also aims to reduce fraud and abuse by increasing penalties for store owners who knowingly allow customers to buy alcohol and lottery tickets with their welfare benefits.
The bill, which was already approved by the House, would cost the state about $18.5 million dollars. The Senate had originally planned to vote on it last week, but the vote was delayed in order to give lawmakers more time to understand the proposal
