Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H100 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3908 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
3	3	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 100
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Lindsay N. Sabadosa
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act establishing a commission to study a statewide credentialing program for digital
13	13	navigators.
14	14	_______________
15	15	PETITION OF:
16	16	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Lindsay N. Sabadosa1st Hampshire1/17/2025Bud L. Williams11th Hampden2/5/2025Jason M. LewisFifth Middlesex2/13/2025Michael O. MooreSecond Worcester2/20/2025 1 of 3
17	17	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3908 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
18	18	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 100
19	19	By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 100)
20	20	of Lindsay N. Sabadosa and others for an investigation by a special commission (including
21	21	members of the General Court) relative the inequity of digital access through the recruitment and
22	22	implementation of digital navigators. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and
23	23	Cybersecurity.
24	24	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
25	25	_______________
26	26	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
27	27	(2025-2026)
28	28	_______________
29	29	An Act establishing a commission to study a statewide credentialing program for digital
30	30	navigators.
31	31	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
32	32	of the same, as follows:
33	33	1 SECTION 1. (a) The Massachusetts General Court shall establish a Massachusetts Digital
34	34	2Navigation Commission to study and make recommendations on ways to address the inequity of
35	35	3digital access through the recruitment and implementation of digital navigators, trusted guides
36	36	4who assist community members with ongoing, individualized support for accessing affordable
37	37	5and appropriate connectivity, devices, and digital skills.
38	38	6 (b) The commission shall consist of: the chairs of the joint committee on economic
39	39	7development and emerging technologies, who shall serve as co-chairs of the commission; 1
40	40	8member who shall represent the Massachusetts Broadband Institute; 1 member who shall
41	41	9represent the executive office of technology services and security; 1 member who shall represent
42	42	10the department of public health; 1 member who shall represent the executive office of health and
43	43	11human services; 1 member who shall represent the executive office of labor and workforce 2 of 3
44	44	12development; 1 member who shall represent the Massachusetts office on disability; 1 member
45	45	13who shall represent the executive office of elder affairs; 1 member who shall represent
46	46	14Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners; 1 member who shall represent MassHealth; 1
47	47	15member who shall represent the executive office of housing and livable communities; 1 member
48	48	16who shall represent the department of transitional assistance; 5 members who shall represent the
49	49	17Massachusetts Digital Navigation Network, including: 1 member who shall represent the
50	50	18Alliance for Digital Equity of Western Massachusetts, 1 member who shall represent the
51	51	19Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers, 1 member who shall represent the
52	52	20City of Boston, 1 member who shall represent the Metro North Workforce Board and 1 member
53	53	21who shall represent Vinfen; 1 member who shall represent the Massachusetts Healthy Aging
54	54	22Collaborative; 1 member who shall represent the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy
55	55	23Coalition; 1 member who shall represent the Massachusetts League of Community Health
56	56	24Centers; 1 member who shall represent the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges;
57	57	25and 2 members who shall be recipients of digital navigator services with 1 recommended by the
58	58	26Alliance for Digital Equity and 1 recommended by the Metro North Workforce Board.
59	59	27 (c) The commission shall study and make recommendations on:
60	60	28 (1) how Massachusetts residents’ needs can be met by digital navigation services within
61	61	29the broader goal of digital equity;
62	62	30 (2) the scope and social determinant of health and quality of life outcomes provided
63	63	31through digital navigation;
64	64	32 (3) opportunities for state agencies to support the work of digital navigation to further the
65	65	33goals of the agencies in meeting the needs of Massachusetts residents; 3 of 3
66	66	34 (4) methods for funding digital navigators including private and public contracting, state
67	67	35grantmaking, and state and federal reimbursement for services;
68	68	36 (5) qualifications and standards of digital navigators, including outlining a process for a
69	69	37statewide credentialing program for digital navigators; and
70	70	38 (6) any other considerations determined to be relevant by the commission.
71	71	39 (d) The commission shall also collect data regarding current regional digital navigation
72	72	40initiatives across the Commonwealth to understand opportunities, implementation design and
73	73	41statewide efficiencies.
74	74	42 (e) All appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of this
75	75	43resolve. The chairs shall meet with the commission not later than 60 days after the effective date
76	76	44of this resolve.
77	77	45 (f) The commission shall file a report and its recommendations, including any legislation
78	78	46necessary to implement its recommendations, with the clerks of the house of representatives and
79	79	47the senate not later than one year after the effective date of this statute.