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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4158 FILED ON: 2/13/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3887
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
James K. Hawkins and Tram T. Nguyen
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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 to include climate education in the Massachusetts elementary and secondary school
curriculum.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:James K. Hawkins2nd Bristol2/13/2023Tram T. Nguyen18th Essex2/13/2023 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4158 FILED ON: 2/13/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3887
By Representatives Hawkins of Attleboro and Nguyen of Andover, a petition (subject to Joint
Rule 12) of James K. Hawkins and Tram T. Nguyen for legislation to include climate education
in the elementary and secondary school curriculum. Education.
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 to include climate education in the Massachusetts elementary and secondary school
curriculum.
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. Said chapter 69 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 1T the
2following section:-
3 Section 1U. (a) Environmental science and environmental protection standards
4established pursuant to section 1D shall promote an understanding of climate change including,
5but not limited to: (i) the human impact on the carbon cycle; (ii) the effect of climate change on
6life that exists on Earth; (iii) the effects of the environment on health, economics, and
7agricultural systems; (iv) the impact of climate change on the water cycle; and (v) the impact of
8the environment on natural disasters and weather.
9 (b) A school district, charter school, approved private day or residential school, or
10collaborative school may incorporate the climate change standards established pursuant to 2 of 2
11section 1D and subsection (a) into the existing curriculum including, but not limited to, science,
12history and social sciences, technology or business.
13 (c) The department may make resources available to school districts, charter schools,
14approved private day or residential schools, and collaborative schools to assist in the selection of
15materials and curriculum on climate change. The department may identify and offer information
16on resources for professional development activities and instruction on climate change. The
17department may consult with private or non-profit experts in the field of environment or related
18disciplines and government stakeholders to identify such resources.
19 (d) The department may apply for federal, state or other funding.