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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2668 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2397
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Marjorie C. Decker
_________________
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 nursing workforce center.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Marjorie C. Decker25th Middlesex1/16/2025Daniel Cahill10th Essex2/13/2025John Francis Moran9th Suffolk2/13/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2668 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2397
By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2397) of
Marjorie C. Decker, Daniel Cahill and John Francis Moran relative to establishing a nursing
workforce center at the University of Massachusetts medical school. Public Health.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act establishing a nursing workforce center.
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 75 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by inserting after section 36E the following section: –
3 Section 36F. There shall be at the University of Massachusetts medical school in
4Worcester a nursing workforce center, formerly known as the Nursing Council on Workforce
5Sustainability, herein the Nursing Workforce Center. The purpose of the Center shall be to gather
6data, research, provide analysis to advise policy leaders on how to address the current and future
7nursing workforce needs of nurses and others who support nursing care, and provide
8recommendations to advance nursing science and practice in the commonwealth. The Center
9shall be administered by an executive director who shall be appointed by the dean of the
10University of Massachusetts medical school. The Center shall be subject to the direction and
11oversight of the executive office of health and human Services.
12 The Center shall: 2 of 3
13 (a)Convene a diverse group of key stakeholders including nurses, health care
14providers, business and industry leaders, consumers, state agencies, legislators and educators to
15collaborate on strategies to improve the nursing workforce and speak with one voice on issues
16impacting the nursing workforce.
17 (b)Conduct research on best practices and quality patient outcomes across settings.
18(c)Prepare and disseminate written reports and recommendations regarding the current and
19future status and trends of the nursing workforce.
20 (d)Research, analyze and report data related to the recruitment and retention of the
21nursing workforce.
22 (e)Develop and implement strategies to recruit and retain nurses in the
23commonwealth.
24 (f)Recommend systemic changes to the nursing workforce pipeline.
25 (g)Disseminate the results of the reviews and make recommendations to the joint
26committee on public health, the joint committee on higher education, the house and senate
27committee on ways and means, the department of public health, health care stakeholders,
28consumers and other interested parties.
29 (h) Foster collaboration among members of the health care community to achieve
30policy consensus, promote diversity across the profession and within the health care workforce,
31and enhance the knowledge of nursing practice. 3 of 3
32 (i)Encourage initiatives to support nursing excellence through innovative strategies
33such as recognition programs, incentives for professional growth, and activities that enhance the
34visibility and positive perception of the nursing profession across the commonwealth.
35 (j)Prepare and disseminate an annual report on the state of the nursing workforce in
36the commonwealth and the work of the Center.
37 (k)Provide consultation, technical assistance and information related to nursing
38resources within and outside of the commonwealth and serve as a clearinghouse on nursing
39practice and nursing workforce data.
40 (l)Examine and engage in other matters deemed appropriate by the executive office
41of health and human services.