Advocacy

Boston Share Network is proud to support:  Everyone Needs ID bill:  An Act to Provide Identification to Youth and Adults Experiencing Homelessness. 

Representative Jim O'Day, Representative Sean Garballey, and Senator Robyn Kennedy have re-filed this important bill for the 2025-2026 legislative session as:

House Bill 3750: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3750

Senate Bill 2399: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2399

The Mass ID access bill (a.k.a. Everyone Needs ID bill) would ease access to Mass IDs for people experiencing homelessness by waiving the $25 fee for IDs and easing the verification requirements for youth and adults who are unhoused and seeking IDs. The bill would apply to standard Mass IDs, not REAL ID Act-compliant Mass IDs, for which residents must provide additional verification that meet federal standards. The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously passed versions of this bill in each of the past four sessions.

Obtaining a state identification card is a critical first step for youth and adults experiencing homelessness to accomplish typical life tasks and access opportunities. ID is required for a broad range of life activities, such as applying for housing and employment enrolling in education programs, accessing essential services, interacting with law enforcement, opening financial accounts, picking up mail and prescriptions, getting a library card, and more. 

This bill is being championed by the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.  Learn more by contacting the Coalition: kelly@mahomeless.org or julia@mahomeless.org.

Increase Access to Mass IDs for People Experiencing Homelessness:  Organizational Endorsement Form 2025-2026.

IDs for Prisoners Released from state prison

After ten years of advocacy by Senator Jamie Eldridge and BSN President Dorothy Werst, prisoners released from Massachusetts State prisons receive a state ID or renewed driver's license.  This is a tremendous step forward in prisoner rehabilitation, giving them a major tool to build a successful life out of prison. 

We continue to advocate for prisoners in the County Jails to receive Massachusetts State IDs when they are released.