Grandparents raising their grandchildren would be able to get help from the state under legislation that breezed through the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday. 

The bill would provide $75-a-month per grandchild to those caring for kids in the absence of their parents. 

Victoria Gray told panel members the money is important since Medicare has no family plan.

“The $75-a-month really gives a great help to the grandparents raising the grandchildren,” Gray said. “It makes the decision wherein the grandmother has to decide whether I’m going to get my medication this month or buy shoes for the child.”

The measure allots $1.5 million for the program, but $1 million in unused funds are also being applied. The next stop for the legislation is the Senate Rules Committee.