Massachusetts 2023 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H3553 Introduced / Bill

Filed 03/22/2023

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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4195       FILED ON: 3/3/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3553
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Kristin E. Kassner
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act regarding mandatory land use board training.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Kristin E. Kassner2nd Essex3/2/2023Lydia EdwardsThird Suffolk3/6/2023Liz MirandaSecond Suffolk3/6/2023 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4195       FILED ON: 3/3/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3553
By Representative Kassner of Hamilton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kristin E. 
Kassner, Lydia Edwards and Liz Miranda relative to education and training for members of local 
planning boards and zoning boards of appeals. Municipalities and Regional Government.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2174 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act regarding mandatory land use board training.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 3 of chapter 23B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after clause (v) the following subsection:- (w) 
3establish, conduct and maintain an annual program of education, self-evaluation, and training for 
4members of local planning boards and zoning boards of appeals, at no cost to municipalities; 
5provided, however, that the department shall consult with the Massachusetts Association of 
6Planning Directors, Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies, and American 
7Planning Association, Massachusetts Chapter, regarding development of the program; provided 
8further, that the department may contract with the Massachusetts Citizen Planner Training 
9Collaborative to provide such education, self-evaluation, and training. To the extent practicable,  2 of 2
10the education, self-evaluation, and training programs shall be offered online and in various 
11locations throughout the commonwealth, at various times of the year.
12 Every member of local planning boards and zoning boards of appeals shall, within 60 
13days after becoming a board member, and every 2 years thereafter, complete the education, self-
14evaluation, and training program, either online or in-person. Upon completion of the program, 
15the member shall provide notice of such completion to the town or city clerk, such notice to be 
16retained for 6 years.