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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2395 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2299
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Kristin E. Kassner
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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 regarding land use board training.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Kristin E. Kassner2nd Essex1/16/2025Vanna Howard17th Middlesex3/7/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2395 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2299
By Representative Kassner of Hamilton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2299) of
Kristin E. Kassner and Vanna Howard relative to education and training for members of local
planning boards and zoning boards of appeals. Municipalities and Regional Government.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3553 OF 2023-2024.]
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 regarding land use board training.
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 3 of chapter 23B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by inserting after clause (v) the following subsection:- (w) establish, conduct
3and maintain an annual program of education, self-evaluation, and training for members of local
4planning boards, special permit granting authorities, and zoning boards of appeals, at no cost to
5municipalities; provided, however, that the department shall consult with the Massachusetts
6Association of Planning Directors, Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies,
7and American Planning Association - Massachusetts Chapter, and Massachusetts Citizen Planner
8Training Collaborative regarding development of the program to provide such education, self-
9evaluation, and training. Training shall cover special permits, subdivision control, variances, fair
10housing and any other laws that govern the role and responsibility of said board. To the extent 2 of 2
11practicable, the education, self-evaluation, and training programs shall be offered online and in
12various locations throughout the commonwealth, at various times of the year.
13 Every member of local planning boards, special permit granting authorities, and zoning
14boards of appeals shall, within 60 days after becoming a board member, and every 2 years
15thereafter, complete the education, self-evaluation, and training program, either online or in-
16person. Upon completion of the program, the member shall provide notice of such completion to
17the town or city clerk, such notice to be retained for 6 years.