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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 498 FILED ON: 1/16/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 260
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Julian Cyr
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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 implementing elementary and secondary interdisciplinary climate justice education
across the Commonwealth.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Julian CyrCape and IslandsJoanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester2/22/2023Michael J. BarrettThird Middlesex2/22/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 498 FILED ON: 1/16/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 260
By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 260) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M.
Comerford and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to implement elementary and secondary
interdisciplinary climate justice education across the Commonwealth. Education.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 311 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 implementing elementary and secondary interdisciplinary climate justice education
across the Commonwealth.
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 69 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official edition,
2is hereby amended by inserting after section 1T the following new 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. 2 of 2
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
11section 1D and subsection (a) into 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.