House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) is pleased to announce that he has appointed Representative Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury) to the Massachusetts Commission on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth.
As a member of the commission, Kane will work with other legislators, state officials, formerly homeless youth, and advocacy groups to identify ways to improve access to housing and services for Massachusetts residents under the age of 25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. As part of its mission, the commission focuses on identifying and removing barriers encountered by unaccompanied homeless youth who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, as well as unaccompanied youth under the age of 18.
In making the appointment, Representative Jones cited Kane’s prior work as a board member at Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services and her ongoing charity fundraising efforts on behalf of the organization, which honored her in 2018 with its Harry S. Cutting, Jr. Award for outstanding commitment, contributions and support of the Shrewsbury community.
“Hannah’s advocacy and dedication to the youth of her district makes her a perfect fit for the commission,” said Representative Jones. “I am confident she will be an active and vocal member of the commission as it works to develop policy recommendations to address and prevent youth homelessness.”
“The Commission is instrumental in protecting youth in our state. As a mother and an elected official, I am passionate about protecting the young people of Massachusetts, especially those who are so vulnerable. I believe my background will make me effective serving in this role and I thank Minority Leader Jones for appointing me to the Commission,” remarked Representative Kane.
Originally established in 2012 as part of the Fiscal Year 2013 state budget, the Massachusetts Commission on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth was reconstituted in 2014 and is chaired by Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. The commission is responsible for filing an annual report, along with recommendations for regulatory or legislative action, by December 31.
Since her election to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2015, Kane has served on several special legislative commissions, including the Regional Transit Authority Task Force and the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health, which developed recommendations to help municipal and regional public health systems improve the delivery of services and preventive measures. She currently serves on the Massachusetts Food Policy Council and is a Co-Chair and founding member of the Food System Caucus.
Kane represents the 11th Worcester District, which is comprised of the town of Shrewsbury and Precincts 4 and 5 in Westborough. A member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Kane also serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy and the Joint Committee on Public Health.
