News Conference Committee proposes $61.01 billion FY ’26 budget

The Conference Committee has released a $61.01 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, a $3.3 billion increase from FY ’25.

The proposal includes $207 million for the Chapter 257 Reserve, representing an increase of $34 million, or nearly 19.65%, from FY ’24. (The Council compared the Chapter 257 line item to the FY ’24 budget, rather than the FY ’25 budget, because the number of Chapter 257 rates reviewed by EOHHS alternate in proportion every other year).

The proposal includes $207 million for the Chapter 257 Reserve, representing an increase of $34 million, or nearly 19.65%, from FY ’24. (The Council compared the Chapter 257 line item to the FY ’24 budget, rather than the FY ’25 budget, because the number of Chapter 257 rates reviewed by EOHHS alternate in proportion every other year).

The Conference Committee budget itself can be viewed at this link.

Compared to the Governor’s House 1 budget proposal, the Conference Committee made some changes to human services line items the Council tracks:

• JUD line item 0339-1011 – Community-based Re-entry Programs – increased from $12.5 million to about $16.1 million, a 28.78% increase.
• DAR line item 2511-0105 – Emergency Food Assistance – increased from $42 million to about $50.5 million, a 20.42% increase.
• DYS line item 4200-0100 – Non-Res Services for Committee Population – increased from $22 million to $22.1 million, a 0.68% increase.
• DYS line item 4200-0200 – Residential Services for Detained Population – increased from $30.1 million to $31.2 million, a 0.94% increase.
• DYS line item 4200-0300 – Residential Services for Committed Population – dropped from $112.8 million to $111.7 million, a 1% decrease.
• DTA line item 4401-1000 – Employment Services Program – were funded at $20.5 million as proposed in by the Governor.
• DPH line item 4512-0103 – HIV/AIDS Prevention Treatment and Services – were funded at $31.8 million as proposed by the Governor.
• DPH line item 4512-0200 – Bureau of Substance Addiction Services –increased from $178 million to $187.1 million, a 5.10% increase.
• DPH line item 4513-1136 – Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services – dropped from $79.7 million to $73.1 million, a 8.35% decrease.
• DCF line item 4800-1100 – Social Workers for Case Management – dropped from $334 million to $323.8 million, a 3.08% decrease.
• DMH line item 5042-5000 – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – increased from $115 million to $132.4 million, about a 15.01% increase.
• DMH line item 5046-0000 – Adult Mental Health and Support Services – increased from $678.2 million to $694.4 million, a 2.38% increase.
• DMH line item 5047-0001 – Emergency Services and Mental Health Care – were funded at the same levels proposed by the Governor.
• DDS line items 5911-2000 – Transportation Services – increased from $47.17 million to $47.19 million, a 0.04% increase.
• DDS line items 5920-2000 – Community Residential Services; 5920-2025 – Community Day and Work Programs, were funded at the same levels proposed by the Governor.
• DDS line item 5920-3000 – Respite Family Supports – increased from $123.92 million to $123.95 million, a 0.02% increase.
• HLC line item 7004-0101 – Emergency Assistance – Family Shelter and Services – increased from $325.2 million to $276.4 million, a 15.02% decrease.
• HLC line item 7004-0102 – Homeless Individual Shelters – increased from $110.7 to $113.3 million, a 2.33% increase.
• HLC 7004-9024 – Mass. Rental Voucher Program – were funded at the same levels as proposed by the Governor.

The Providers’ Council is reviewing the budget for other major changes to human services accounts or line items, and it will provide more information to our members as it is received.

The preliminary Providers’ Council budget analysis is located here and it is also included as an image below. If you have questions about the FY ’26 budget or the budget process, please contact Caroline O’Neill.