Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H3439 Compare Versions

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

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2	2	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 100 FILED ON: 1/6/2025
3	3	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3439
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Bud L. Williams
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 the Commonwealth housing, economic, education and equity in recovery and
13	13	reconstruction.
14	14	_______________
15	15	PETITION OF:
16	16	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Bud L. Williams11th Hampden1/6/2025 1 of 18
17	17	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 100 FILED ON: 1/6/2025
18	18	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3439
19	19	By Representative Williams of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3439) of
20	20	Bud L. Williams relative to housing, economic, education and equity in recovery and
21	21	reconstruction in the Commonwealth. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
22	22	[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
23	23	SEE HOUSE, NO. 3130 OF 2023-2024.]
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 the Commonwealth housing, economic, education and equity in recovery and
30	30	reconstruction.
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. Whereas Black and Latino residents of the Commonwealth have been
34	34	2impacted in ways disproportionate to their respective numbers in the population; and, the
35	35	3disparate impacts of the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has revealed in stark ways existing social
36	36	4and economic disparities, which Black and Latino residents have endured for far too long; it is
37	37	5the intention of the general court, during the recovery from the pandemic and after, to take
38	38	6meaningful actions to redress said disparities and the social and economic determinants that are
39	39	7at the root of them. To achieve the purposes as stated in this section and sections 2 through 8,
40	40	8inclusive, this Act shall be known as the Commonwealth Housing, Economic, Education and
41	41	9Equity in Recovery and Reconstruction Act or the CHEEERR ACT. 2 of 18
42	42	10 SECTION 2. As used in sections 2 through 13, inclusive, the following words shall,
43	43	11unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:—
44	44	12 “Agencies”, non-profit organizations located and operating within disparately impacted
45	45	13communities with whom the commission may enter into contracts pursuant to section 9 for the
46	46	14operation of corps projects.
47	47	15 “Commission”, the commonwealth corps commission established pursuant to section
48	48	16 “Bureau”, the Massachusetts Bureau on Social and Economic Equity in Recovery and
49	49	17Reconstruction established pursuant to section 3.
50	50	18 “Corps”, the commonwealth housing, economic, education and equity in recovery and
51	51	19reconstruction service corps or CHEEERRS corps established pursuant to section 11.
52	52	20 “Corps members”, individuals who commit to no more than 24 months of full or part-
53	53	21time service in the commonwealth service corps pursuant to section 12.
54	54	22 “Corps projects”, programs established pursuant to this act to satisfy unmet community
55	55	23needs.
56	56	24 “Disparately impacted community”, shall mean (a) a defined geographic area in which
57	57	25Black and Latino residents whose rate of infection for the coronavirus exceeds their
58	58	26proportionate share of the population of said geographic area as of May 1, 2020; or, (b) a
59	59	27medically underserved community or (c) low and moderate income community; or, (c) an
60	60	28educationally disadvantaged community;
61	61	29 “Educationally disadvantaged community”, shall mean a local school district in which the
62	62	30percentage of children attending school in the district eligible for free or reduced cost lunches 3 of 18
63	63	31under eligibility guidelines promulgated by the federal government under 42 USC 1758 exceeds
64	64	32the forty percent;
65	65	33 "Low and moderate income community", a geographic area, within a city or town,
66	66	34consisting of either (a) three or more contiguous census tracts or (b) a zip code or (c) a
67	67	35neighborhood, in which either: (1) a majority of the households are low and moderate income
68	68	36households as defined herein; or (2) the unemployment rate is at least 20 per cent higher than the
69	69	37annual statewide average unemployment rate where such statewide unemployment rate is less
70	70	38than or equal to 5 per cent; provided that, if the annual statewide average unemployment rate is
71	71	39greater than 5 per cent, the community's unemployment rate need only be 10 per cent higher;
72	72	40 "Low and moderate income households", households which have incomes that do not
73	73	41exceed 80 per cent of the median income for the area, with adjustments made for smaller and
74	74	42larger families, as such median shall be determined from time to time by the Secretary of
75	75	43Housing and Urban Development pursuant to 42 USC section 1437(a)(B)(2);
76	76	44 “Medically underserved community”, shall have the same meaning as used pursuant to
77	77	45section 799B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p); and,
78	78	46 “Small business”, shall mean a business (i) owned or controlled by a Black or Latino
79	79	47individual or individuals (ii) whose annual net revenue is less than $5,000,000 and (iii) located in
80	80	48a low or moderate income community.
81	81	49 “Unmet community needs”, needs including, but not limited to, those pertaining to
82	82	50education, public health, public safety, the environment and other human needs in underserved
83	83	51populations in disparately impacted communities in the commonwealth. 4 of 18
84	84	52 SECTION 3. (a) There shall be a Massachusetts bureau on social and economic equity in
85	85	53recovery and reconstruction, in this section and in sections 4 through 15, inclusive, called the
86	86	54bureau. Said bureau shall consist of an administrator and an advisory council, as described in
87	87	55section 15. The administrator shall be appointed by the governor pursuant to paragraph (b), shall
88	88	56serve a term of five years, and shall be removed only for cause. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
89	89	57the administrator shall be eligible for reappointment to an additional five-year term.
90	90	58 (b) The administrator shall be appointed by the governor and shall serve a term of five
91	91	59years; provided that in making said appointment, the governor shall choose the administrator
92	92	60from a list of three candidates presented to the governor from a committee, consisting of seven
93	93	61individuals comprised as follows: one member appointed to be appointed by the governor, two
94	94	62members to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one member to be
95	95	63appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives, two members to be appointed
96	96	64by the senate president, and one member to be appointed by the senate minority leader; provided
97	97	65further , that said all said appointments shall be made within thirty days of passage of this Act.
98	98	66 (c) The position of administrator shall be classified in accordance with section forty-five
99	99	67of chapter thirty, and the salary shall be determined in accordance with section forty-six C of
100	100	68said chapter thirty. The administrator shall devote his or her full time during business hours to
101	101	69the duties of the office.
102	102	70 (d) The administrator shall, with the advice of the advisory council, have sole charge of
103	103	71the supervision and administration of the office. The administrator may, subject to fiscal
104	104	72resources available to support the operations of the bureau, employ and remove such assistant
105	105	73administrators and other employees and consultants as administrator may deem necessary to 5 of 18
106	106	74enable the performance of the functions of the bureau; provided that not more than ten percent of
107	107	75said resources shall be expended on staff in any fiscal year. The provisions of chapter thirty-one
108	108	76and section nine A of chapter thirty shall not apply to the administrator or to such assistant
109	109	77administrators and consultants as may be appointed. In making such appointments, the
110	110	78administrator shall hire individuals who reflect the racial, ethnic and gender make-up of
111	111	79disparately impacted communities.
112	112	80 SECTION 4. Subject to the advice of the advisory council, the administrator may apply
113	113	81for and accept on behalf of the commonwealth any federal, local or private grants of money or
114	114	82property, whether real or personal, from any source, whether public or private, bequests, gifts or
115	115	83contributions to aid in the financing of any of the programs or policies of the bureau. Such funds
116	116	84shall be received by the state treasurer on behalf of the commonwealth and deposited in a
117	117	85separate account and shall be expended under the direction of the administrator.
118	118	86 SECTION 5. The bureau, in fulfillment of its purposes, shall have the following duties
119	119	87and functions:
120	120	88 (a) to administer and manage the Commonwealth Health, Economic, Education, and
121	121	89Equity Recovery and Reconstruction Fund, established pursuant to section 2DDDDD of chapter
122	122	9029, and to effectuate the purposes of the bureau as outlined in this section and in sections 4
123	123	91through 14, inclusive.
124	124	92 (b) to identify, analyze, evaluate and monitor public policies, programs, services and
125	125	93regulations promulgated by state agencies (i) in response to recovery efforts pursued in response
126	126	94to the Covid-19 pandemic and (ii) in the course of state agency activity; provided that a
127	127	95particular focus shall be on the affect said policies, programs, services or regulations may have 6 of 18
128	128	96or are likely to have on persons residing in disparately impacted communities. In addition, the
129	129	97bureau shall have the following specific functions:
130	130	98 (i) to identify and recommend to the secretary of housing and community development
131	131	99and to the director of the department of business and technology sources of state, federal and
132	132	100private funds which are available to mitigate, or can be used to mitigate, the disparate access to
133	133	101capital and technical assistance available to small businesses owned or operated by individuals
134	134	102who reside in disparately impacted communities; (ii) to identify and recommend to the
135	135	103undersecretary for housing and community development and public instrumentalities with the
136	136	104department of housing and community development sources of state, federal and private funds
137	137	105which are available to mitigate, or can be used to mitigate, the disparate access to affordable and
138	138	106adequate housing on the part of individuals and households who reside in disparately impacted
139	139	107communities; (iii) to identify and recommend to the commissioner of public health sources of
140	140	108state, federal and private funds which are appropriated or otherwise are available to mitigate, or
141	141	109can be directed to mitigate, existing and emerging disparate incidences of illness and disease
142	142	110experienced by individuals and households who reside in disparately impacted communities;
143	143	111provided that in mitigating such incidences, the commissioner of public health shall expend said
144	144	112monies in a manner proportionate to the prevalence of said diseases and illnesses among racial
145	145	113and ethnic minorities; provided further, that the administrator may consult with the office of
146	146	114health equity as necessary and appropriate to effect the purposes of this subsection; (iv) to
147	147	115identify and recommend to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education sources of
148	148	116state, federal and private funds which are appropriated or otherwise available to mitigate, or can
149	149	117be utilized to mitigate, disparate access to and outcomes in educational instruction and programs
150	150	118experienced by students attending schools in disparately impacted communities; 7 of 18
151	151	119 (c) to set aside an amount not less than fifty million dollars to implement innovative and
152	152	120strategic re-entry programs targeted to returning citizens, as such term is defined in section ___;
153	153	121provided, that in implementing said innovative and strategic re-entry programs, the bureau is
154	154	122hereby authorized to enter into grants, not to exceed five hundred thousand per annum, with
155	155	123nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated track record of assisting returning citizens in
156	156	124integrating back into the community; provided further, that the bureau is hereby authorized to
157	157	125undertake, solely or in conjunction with state agencies, public instrumentalities, municipalities in
158	158	126which disparately impacted communities are located or nonprofits located in disparately
159	159	127impacted communities the following activities:
160	160	128 (i) the development and implementation of family resource and reunification centers in
161	161	129numerous quadrants of a disparately impacted community;
162	162	130 (ii) the development and implementation of community-led or neighborhood based, long-
163	163	131term substance use treatment services dispersed in numerous locations throughout a disparately
164	164	132impacted community;
165	165	133 (iii) the development and implementation of community-led counseling services
166	166	134dispersed in locations throughout a disparately impacted community;
167	167	135 (iv) the development and implementation of transitional to permanent housing for
168	168	136returning citizens; and,
169	169	137 (v) the development and implementation of community-led post incarceration support to
170	170	138replace parole and probation In fulfillment of paragraphs (a) and (b), the bureau is hereby
171	171	139authorized to contract with or provide grant funding to individuals, organizations, corporations,
172	172	140associations or nonprofit organizations located in disparately impacted communities to carry out 8 of 18
173	173	141the purpose and functions of the bureau. In fulfillment of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), the
174	174	142administrator shall establish and promulgate public guidelines to govern contracts and grants.
175	175	143 SECTION 6. In order to fulfill the functions of the bureau such information as the
176	176	144administrator may require from any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency
177	177	145shall be made available without delay, upon written request, to any said department, division,
178	178	146board, bureau, commission, or agency of the commonwealth.
179	179	147 SECTION 7. (a) The Commonwealth Health, Economic, Education, and Equity in
180	180	148Recovery and Reconstruction Fund, established pursuant to section DDDDD of chapter 29, shall
181	181	149be within the bureau. The administrator shall oversee the management and activities of the fund
182	182	150either directly or through the appointment of a fund director, to be appointed by the
183	183	151administrator. The bureau, with the advice of the secretary of administration and finance, shall
184	184	152adopt guidelines to implement the fund.
185	185	153 (b) The amounts credited to the fund shall be used to support (i) the activities of the
186	186	154bureau as outlined in sections 3 through 14, inclusive and (ii) new and innovative strategies and
187	187	155efforts to redress disparities in health, economic and educational outcomes by individuals and
188	188	156households residing in disparately impacted communities and may be expended, without further
189	189	157appropriation. To maximize the mitigation of disparate impacts across the policy and program
190	190	158areas, including but not limited to health, economics and education, the administrator may
191	191	159expends such amounts are necessary; provided that the administrator shall not expend, annually,
192	192	160any more than twenty percent of the amount transferred from the Commonwealth Stabilization
193	193	161Fund pursuant to section DDDDD of chapter 29. 9 of 18
194	194	162 (c) Annually, not later than October 1, the administrator shall report to the clerks of the
195	195	163house of representatives and senate and the house and senate committees on ways and means on
196	196	164the fund's activity. The report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the source and amount of
197	197	165funds received; (ii) the amounts distributed and the purpose of expenditures from the fund; (iii)
198	198	166any grants provided to stakeholder organizations; and (iv) anticipated revenue and expenditure
199	199	167projections for the next year.
200	200	168 SECTION 8. There shall be a designated small business stabilization and support fund
201	201	169within the bureau. The fund shall be administered and managed by a fund director, who shall be
202	202	170appointed by the administrator. The administrator shall adopt guidelines that are necessary to
203	203	171implement the purposes of the fund. The administrator may consult with state agencies, public
204	204	172instrumentalities, community development financial institutions, and other such organizations as
205	205	173the administrator shall deem appropriate in the development of said guidelines. The fund shall be
206	206	174initially capitalized by a transfer of three hundred million dollars from the CCHEERS fund.
207	207	175Money in or received for the fund may be deposited with and invested by an institution
208	208	176designated by the bureau and paid as the fund director shall direct. A return on an investment
209	209	177received by the fund shall be deposited and held for the use and benefit of the fund. The bureau
210	210	178may make payments from a deposit account for use under this section. The bureau shall use the
211	211	179fund to make grants, forgivable loans, low-interest loans or a combination thereof to support the
212	212	180ongoing operations of small businesses located in disparately impacted communities. In
213	213	181determining whether to make a grant, forgivable loan, low-interest loan or a combination thereof,
214	214	182the bureau shall consider whether the action: (i) supports the economic stabilization or expansion
215	215	183of small business; or (ii) promotes the retention or creation of jobs by the small business; (iii)
216	216	184promotes employment opportunities for residents of disparately impacted communities; or, (iv) 10 of 18
217	217	185supports the creation or expansion of a businesses whose success would promote further
218	218	186economic development activity within the disparately impacted community and enhances the
219	219	187quality of life of residents of a disparately impacted community. The bureau shall ensure that not
220	220	188more than fifty million dollars are expended each year to support the making of grants,
221	221	189forgivable loans, low-interest loans or a combination thereof. The maximum amount of any
222	222	190grant, forgivable loan, low-interest loan or combination thereof shall not exceed one million
223	223	191dollars. The bureau shall include an annual summary of activities as part of the report due
224	224	192annually pursuant to paragraph (c) of section 7. The summary shall include each grant, loan,
225	225	193forgivable loan, low-interest loan or combination thereof made during the preceding calendar
226	226	194year and an assessment of the impact each grant, loan, forgivable loan, low-interest loan or
227	227	195combination thereof.
228	228	196 SECTION 9. (a) There is established a special fund called the incarceration to
229	229	197incorporation entrepreneurship fund, which shall be a segregated fund within the designated
230	230	198small business stabilization and support fund, and which shall be administered by a deputy fund
231	231	199director to be appointed by the administrator.
232	232	200 (b) The incarceration to incorporation entrepreneurship fund shall initially be capitalized
233	233	201by a transfer of fifty million dollars from the designated small business stabilization and support
234	234	202fund; provided, that the following sources of funds may be deposited into the incarceration to
235	235	203incorporation entrepreneurship fund: (1) any funds appropriated by the legislature for the
236	236	204purposes of this section and section 10; (2) donations from the public; (3) donations from private
237	237	205entities; and (4) any funds provided through a sponsorship agreement. 11 of 18
238	238	206 (c) Monies in the incarceration to incorporation entrepreneurship fund shall be used to
239	239	207implement, operate, and administer the incarceration to incorporation entrepreneurship program
240	240	208established pursuant to section 10.
241	241	209 SECTION 10. (a) There is established within the bureau an incarceration to incorporation
242	242	210entrepreneurship program, herein after “the program,” a business development program for
243	243	211returning citizens, which shall be operated by the bureau and whose functions are to:
244	244	212 (1) provide technical assistance and business development training to returning citizens
245	245	213who are seeking to operate or are already operating a business enterprise to be located within a
246	246	214disparately impacted community; provided that said technical assistance and business
247	247	215development training shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
248	248	216 (A) Accounting;
249	249	217 (B) Finance;
250	250	218 (C) Business management;
251	251	219 (D) Business planning;
252	252	220 (E) Budgeting;
253	253	221 (F) Marketing;
254	254	222 (G) Business law;
255	255	223 (H) Accessing startup capital, and other business startup topics as identified by the U.S.
256	256	224small business administration and certified community development financial institutions; 12 of 18
257	257	225 (I) Estimating if the business enterprise is engaged in the construction industry; and,
258	258	226 (J) Technology training;
259	259	227 (2) provide micro-investments, in the form of grants, in an amount not to exceed fifty
260	260	228thousand dollars, to assist returning citizens in the development and operation of a business
261	261	229enterprise to be located within a disparately impacted community;
262	262	230 (3) provide ongoing mentorship and support; and
263	263	231 (4) Provide monthly networking meetings with business leaders, such as:
264	264	232 (A) business owners;
265	265	233 (B) representatives of financial institutions;
266	266	234 (B) angel investors; and
267	267	235 (C) heads of venture capital and investment firms; and
268	268	236 (b) For the purposes of implementing this section, the bureau shall confer with other
269	269	237agencies, organizations, and individuals, including but not limited to, (1) the office of small
270	270	238business and entrepreneurship, (2) the small business development center, (3) the Black
271	271	239economic council of Massachusetts, (4) the Hispanic chamber of commerce, (5) the Latino
272	272	240chamber of commerce, (6) the greater new england minority supplier development council, (7)
273	273	241the center for women and enterprise, and any other relevant agency or organization that the
274	274	242bureau consider necessary to meet the objectives of this section.
275	275	243 (c) For the purposes of this section, the term "returning citizen" means an individual who
276	276	244is within six months of release, or has been released, from a local jail, county house of 13 of 18
277	277	245corrections or a department of corrections facility and who resides in a disparately impacted
278	278	246community.
279	279	247 (d) The bureau shall include an annual summary of activities as part of the report due
280	280	248annually pursuant to paragraph (c) of section 7. The summary shall include: (1) the number of
281	281	249businesses formed and launched by program participants; (a) The number of businesses formed
282	282	250by program participants that have sustained operations through the production of the annual
283	283	251summary, (3) the number of business enterprises owned and operated by returning citizens and
284	284	252whom the program has provided technical assistance and business development training, and (4)
285	285	253any other information the bureau deems pertinent to evaluating the program; provided that
286	286	254program participants may expressly authorize that their anonymity be preserved in the annual
287	287	255summary.
288	288	256 SECTION 11. (a) There shall be a commonwealth housing, economic, education and
289	289	257equity in recovery and reconstruction service corps to be composed of a limited number of
290	290	258carefully selected men and women, not younger than 17 years of age and not older than 26 years
291	291	259of age, recruited from disparately impacted communities, to be made available for a limited time
292	292	260for projects directed toward satisfying unmet community needs.
293	293	261 (b) The corps shall be governed by a commission, which shall be within the bureau,
294	294	262consisting of the administrator of the bureau and 14 members to be appointed by the governor; 1
295	295	263of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association; 1 of whom shall be a
296	296	264member of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO; 2 of whom shall be members chosen from two local
297	297	265chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Persons, 2 of whom shall
298	298	266be members chosen from local affiliates of the National Urban League, 1 of whom shall be a 14 of 18
299	299	267member chosen from a Community Health Centers, 1 of whom shall be a member chosen by the
300	300	268Massachusetts Senior Action Council, 2 of whom shall be members chosen by the Massachusetts
301	301	269Association for Community Action, 2 of whom shall be members chosen from two community
302	302	270development corporations, and 2 of whom shall be individuals with expertise in the educational,
303	303	271training, and development needs of youth, particularly disadvantaged youth; Each member shall
304	304	272serve for a term of 3 years and shall serve without compensation. A person appointed to fill a
305	305	273vacancy in the office of a member of the board shall be appointed in a like manner and shall
306	306	274 serve for only the unexpired term of such member. A member shall be eligible for
307	307	275reappointment. A chairman of the commission shall be elected annually from the membership.
308	308	276The bureau shall provide administrative support to the commission as requested.
309	309	277 (c) The duties of the commission shall include, but not be limited to: (i) contracting with
310	310	278agencies to administer service projects to address unmet community needs by recruiting corps
311	311	279members; (ii) reviewing and approving the commonwealth corps plan and annual updates
312	312	280prepared by each agency; and reviewing each agency’s performance in carrying out its
313	313	281responsibilities pursuant to this act. Each agency the commission contracts with shall be a
314	314	282nonprofit organization incorporated pursuant to the provisions of chapter 180 of the General
315	315	283Laws for the operation of corps projects.
316	316	284 SECTION 12. (a) Corps members shall be residents of disparately impacted communities
317	317	285who are not younger than 17 years of age and not older than 26 years of age. Corps members
318	318	286shall be the responsibility of each contracted agency. Corps members shall undertake meaningful
319	319	287service projects addressing unmet community needs in areas including, but not limited to, the
320	320	288environment, education, health and basic human services and may serve full or part-time; but, 15 of 18
321	321	289members having direct contact with minor children or vulnerable adults shall be required to pass
322	322	290a background check.
323	323	291 (b) Each contracted agency shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that corps members are
324	324	292placed in corps projects that match their interests, skills and abilities. The contracted agency may
325	325	293prescribe additional standards and procedures in consultation with the commission. Each
326	326	294contracted agency may enroll individuals who choose to defer a stipend to serve as a corps
327	327	295member. Each contracted agency shall seek to enroll individuals who are economically,
328	328	296ethnically, socially, physically or educationally diverse.
329	329	297 (c) A corps member shall not be subject to chapter 31 or section 9A of chapter 30 of the
330	330	298General Laws. Corps members shall not be considered to be an employee of the commonwealth
331	331	299entitled to the benefit of chapter 152 of the General Laws, nor shall a corps member be
332	332	300considered to be an employee of the commonwealth for any other purpose.
333	333	301 SECTION 13. (a) Each contracted agency shall, without limitation and subject to a duly
334	334	302executed contract with the commission, administer the corps and in so doing shall: (1) provide
335	335	303the personnel necessary to satisfy its obligations pursuant to the contract with the commission;
336	336	304 (2) function as or recruit corps sponsors; (3) compensate each corps member via a stipend
337	337	305that has the value equivalent to fifteen dollar per hour worked, whether a corps member performs
338	338	306on a full-time or part-time basis, (4) initiate studies and analyses of proposed and implemented
339	339	307service and volunteer projects, which will aid in addressing local problems; (5) recommend
340	340	308expansion of corps opportunities to address all unmet community needs; (6) identify the criteria
341	341	309it will use to recruit individuals to serve as corps members (7) establish procedures for matching 16 of 18
342	342	310and placing corps members with corps projects; and (8) establish personnel policies and
343	343	311procedures for corps members.
344	344	312 (b) In entering into a contract with an agency, the commission shall give projects meeting
345	345	313the following criteria preference: (1) projects addressing a well-established unmet community
346	346	314need or unmet community needs; (2) projects articulating measurable goals, including an
347	347	315assessment of the impact on the corps members and on the targeted community; (3) projects not
348	348	316using corps members to replace previously budgeted positions or to reduce overtime, hours of
349	349	317work or opportunities for advancement for employees or members of corps sponsors; and (4)
350	350	318direct service projects that give corps members opportunities to provide direct services
351	351	319addressing unmet community needs including, but not limited to, tutoring or mentoring,
352	352	320providing health care education, providing services to individuals, families, seniors, homeless
353	353	321populations, enhancing historic, cultural, and natural resources of the commonwealth, engaging
354	354	322in environmental restoration projects, or enhancing emergency preparedness and response.
355	355	323 SECTION 14. There shall be a Commonwealth Housing, Economic, Education and
356	356	324Equity in Recovery and Reconstruction Service Corps Fund within the bureau. The fund shall be
357	357	325administered and managed by a fund director, who shall be appointed by the administrator. The
358	358	326fund shall be established and utilized to support the work of the commission and to support the
359	359	327costs of contracts entered into by the commission with agencies for the purposes of section 11
360	360	328through 13, inclusive. The fund shall be initially capitalized by a transfer of one hundred million
361	361	329dollars from the CCHEERS fund. Money in or received for the fund may be deposited with and
362	362	330invested by an institution designated by the bureau and paid as the fund director shall direct. A
363	363	331return on an investment received by the fund shall be deposited and held for the use and benefit
364	364	332of the fund. 17 of 18
365	365	333 SECTION 15. The advisory council of the bureau shall consist of fifteen persons
366	366	334qualified by training, experience, or demonstrated interest in the health, economic and
367	367	335educational inequities or disparities, to be appointed by the governor as follows:— five for a
368	368	336term of three years, five for a term of two years, and five for a term of one year. Upon expiration
369	369	337of the term of any appointive member, said member’s successor shall be appointed in like
370	370	338manner for a term of three years. The governor shall in like manner fill any vacancy for the
371	371	339remainder of the unexpired term. Said members of the advisory council shall elect a person to
372	372	340serve as chair and the advisory council shall meet at least quarterly. Members shall serve without
373	373	341compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of
374	374	342their duties. If any member is absent from two regularly scheduled quarterly meetings in any one
375	375	343calendar year, said member shall be determined to have vacated the member’s appointment to
376	376	344the council. The chair of the council shall forthwith notify the governor that such vacancy exists.
377	377	345Said advisory council shall advise the administrator on any matter within the jurisdiction of said
378	378	346bureau and shall advise the administrator in establishing priorities for bureau activities; and
379	379	347annually review the programs, budgets and policies of the bureau.
380	380	348 SECTION 16. Chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
381	381	349Section 2CCCCC the following new section:
382	382	350 Section 2DDDDD. There shall be established and set up on the books of the
383	383	351commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Commonwealth Covid-19 Health Economic
384	384	352Education Equity in Recovery Fund. The fund shall be credited with: (i) a transfer, to be made by
385	385	353the Comptroller, of eight hundred and fifty million dollars from the Commonwealth Stabilization
386	386	354Fund, (ii) revenue from appropriations or other money authorized by the general court and
387	387	355specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (iii) interest earned on such revenues; and (iv) 18 of 18
388	388	356funds from public and private sources such as gifts, grants and donations to further civics and
389	389	357history education and professional development. Amounts credited to the fund shall not be
390	390	358subject to further appropriation and any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year
391	391	359shall not revert to the General Fund.
392	392	360 SECTION 17. Notwithstanding and general or special law to the contrary, this act shall
393	393	361take effect immediately.