From the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
Last week, the House Committee on Ways and Means gave the unaccompanied youth homelessness bill, House Bill 135, a favorable report after making some positive and neutral changes. (Click here for more information). The bill was given a new number, and the new House Bill 4517 was sent to the House Committee on Steering, Policy, and Scheduling before being sent to the House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading.  While we are getting closer to passage, our advocacy must continue to make sure that the bill crosses the finish line before the 188th legislative session finishes at the end of December.  Please consider participating in the upcoming "Youth Without Homes Can't Wait" call-in day next Monday, November 17th. 

You can participate by making 3 simple calls to the State House.  Please call:

• Rep. Ted Speliotis, Chair of the House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading, asking him and his committee to give House Bill 4517 a swift and favorable report. His office can be reached at 617-722-2410.
• Your State Representative, asking her or him to weigh in with Rep. Speliotis and House Leadership in support of the unaccompanied youth homelessness bill, House Bill 4517.
• Your State Senator, asking her or him to weigh in with Senate Leadership in support of the unaccompanied youth homelessness bill, House Bill 4517.

For a sample script, click here.  To find out who your elected officials are and their contact information, go to www.wheredoivotema.com.
The call-in day will be a great way to mark National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week too!
 
For help or to share information from legislators, contact:

Kelly Turley
Director of Legislative Advocacy
kelly@mahomeless.org    
781-595-7570 x17   

Endorsed by the Task Team to End Homelessness of the MA Conference, UCC