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