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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1287 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 291
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Steven Ultrino
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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 establishing a special commission on two-generation approaches to childhood education.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Steven Ultrino33rd Middlesex1/14/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1287 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 291
By Representative Ultrino of Malden, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 291) of Steven
Ultrino for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court)
of anti-poverty strategies aimed at reducing chronic, multi-generational family poverty.
Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
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 special commission on two-generation approaches to childhood education.
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) There shall be a special commission entitled the Special Commission on
2Two-Generation Approaches to study and make recommendations concerning the
3implementation of two-generation systems in the commonwealth, as defined by focusing on
4creating opportunities for and addressing needs of both vulnerable parents and children together.
5 (b) For the purposes of this commission, a “Two-Generation Approach” shall mean an
6anti-poverty strategy aimed at reducing chronic, multi-generational family poverty by getting
7better outcomes for the child, parents, and community simultaneously. The commission shall: (1)
8measure and account for outcomes for both children and their parents; (2) engage and listen to
9the voice of families; (3) foster innovation and evidence together, (4) align and link systems and
10funding streams, (5) prioritize intentional implementation, and (6) ensure equity. 2 of 3
11 (c) The commission shall consist of the following: the co-chairs of the joint committee on
12children, families and persons with disabilities or a designee, who shall serve as co-chairs; the
13co-chairs of the joint committee on education or designees; the commissioner of early education
14and care or a designee; the commissioner of elementary and secondary education or a designee;
15commissioner of the department of higher education or a designee; commissioner of the
16department of transitional assistance or a designee; secretary of labor and workforce
17development or a designee; secretary of housing and economic development or designee; 6
18persons to be appointed by the commission co-chairs, 3 of whom shall be representatives of
19community-based organizations that have experience working with youth and families, 2 of
20whom shall be representatives of research, educational, and philanthropic institutions
21specializing in education including early childhood education, and 1 of whom shall be a
22representative of an organization with interest in two-generation approaches.
23 (d) The commission shall: (1) solicit information and input from service providers,
24families, educational institutions, and any other parties or entities the commission deems
25appropriate; review and identify best practices learned from similar efforts in other states and
26identify the core components of a model two-generation approach for parents and their children;
27(2) establish a two-generational school and employment readiness plan for the commonwealth to
28promote long-term learning and economic success for low-income families by addressing
29intergenerational barriers to school readiness and workforce readiness with intensified workforce
30training and targeted education, coupled with related support services; (3) study and make
31recommendations for inter-agency resources and services in order to best maximize existing state
32resources available to fund an expansion of two-generation approaches for parents and their
33children; (4) develop recommendations to measure and evaluate progress for both children and 3 of 3
34their parents through specified dual generation approaches that result in improved outcomes; (5)
35other recommendations as the commission may deem appropriate.
36 (e) Members of the commission shall be named and the commission shall commence its
37work within 60 days of the effective date of this act. The commission shall report to the general
38court and governor the results of its study, together with any draft legislation, regulations or
39administrative procedure necessary to implement two-generation approaches in the
40commonwealth by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives
41and the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on education and the joint committee on
42children, families and persons with disabilities, not more than 1 year after the effective date of
43this act.