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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2773 FILED ON: 9/28/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2496
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Patrick M. O'Connor
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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 improving pediatric cancer research.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and NorfolkHannah Kane11th Worcester9/29/2023Marc R. PachecoThird Bristol and Plymouth9/29/2023Ryan C. FattmanWorcester and Hampden10/2/2023Jacob R. OliveiraHampden, Hampshire and Worcester10/2/2023Susan Williams Gifford2nd Plymouth10/3/2023Nick CollinsFirst Suffolk10/3/2023Lydia EdwardsThird Suffolk10/4/2023Francisco E. Paulino16th Essex10/4/2023Walter F. TimiltyNorfolk, Plymouth and Bristol10/5/2023Paul J. Donato35th Middlesex10/17/2023 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2773 FILED ON: 9/28/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2496
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2496) (subject to Joint Rule 12)
of Patrick M. O'Connor, Hannah Kane, Marc R. Pacheco, Ryan C. Fattman and other members
of the General Court for legislation to improve pediatric cancer research. Public Health.
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 improving pediatric cancer research.
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. Chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
2section 2AAAAAA the following section:-
3 Section 2BBBBBB. (a) There is hereby established and set up on the books of the
4commonwealth a Pediatric Cancer Research and Resource Project Trust Fund for the purpose of
5providing grants for pediatric cancer research projects and pediatric cancer resource projects in
6the commonwealth.
7 (b) The fund shall be credited with: (i) appropriations or other money authorized or
8transferred by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (ii) funds
9from public and private sources, including, but not limited to gifts, grants and donations; and (iii)
10any interest earned on such money. 2 of 3
11 (c) Subject to appropriation, amounts credited to the fund shall be used for grants for
12pediatric cancer research and pediatric cancer resource projects in the commonwealth. Money
13remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund.
14 (d) As uses in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless
15the context clearly requires otherwise:
16 “Pediatric cancer research project”, a scientific research project focusing on the causes,
17prevention, education, screening, treatment or cure of pediatric cancer, or the symptoms or
18effects experienced by patients following completion of a course of treatment for pediatric
19cancer, and may include basic, clinical and epidemiologic research.
20 “Pediatric cancer resource project”, a community-based educational, informational,
21awareness and financial resource project that improves the lives of individuals afflicted by
22pediatric cancer through an enhanced understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and long-term
23impacts of childhood cancer and provides support to reduce its emotional, educational and
24financial burden.
25 SECTION 2. The executive office of health and human services shall establish a
26permanent advisory committee to award and allocate grants for pediatric cancer research and
27pediatric cancer resource projects in the commonwealth. The advisory committee’s membership
28shall consist of 7 members appointed by the secretary of health and human services 2 of whom
29shall be survivors of pediatric cancer or caregivers to individuals with pediatric cancer, 1 of
30whom shall be a representative of a nationwide childhood cancer advocacy non-profit and 4 of
31whom shall be professionals from the childhood cancer field. 3 of 3
32 Not later than August 1, the executive office of health and human services shall submit an
33annual report to the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means, Joint Committee on
34Public Health, And Joint Committee on Healthcare Finance detailing the number, amounts and
35recipients of the grants awarded pursuant to section 2BBBBBB of chapter 29 of the General
36Laws, the resulting research and other relevant information as requested by the special
37committee.