Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H4010 Compare Versions

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

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 26
2	2	FILED ON: 4/10/2025
3	3	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4010
4	4	House bill No. 4005, as amended and passed to be engrossed by the House. April 9, 2025.
5	5	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
6	6	_______________
7	7	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
8	8	(2025-2026)
9	9	_______________
10	10	An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain
11	11	existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.
12	12	Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purposes, which are
13	13	to make supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 and to make certain changes in law,
14	14	each of which is immediately necessary to carry out those appropriations or to accomplish other
15	15	important public purposes, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for
16	16	the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
17	17	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
18	18	of the same, as follows:
19	19	1 SECTION 1. To provide for supplementing certain items in the general appropriations act
20	20	2and other appropriation acts for fiscal year 2025, the sums set forth in section 2 are hereby
21	21	3appropriated from the Education and Transportation Fund established in section 2BBBBBB of
22	22	4chapter 29 of the General Laws and the Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital
23	23	5Fund established in section 2DDDDDD of said chapter 29, unless specifically designated
24	24	6otherwise in this act or in those appropriation acts, for the several purposes and subject to the
25	25	7conditions specified in this section and subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public
26	26	8funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. All appropriations in this section shall not be
27	27	9subject to section 5D of chapter 29 of the General Laws. These sums shall be in addition to any
28	28	10amounts previously appropriated and made available for the purposes of those items. 2 of 26
29	29	11 SECTION 2.
30	30	12 TRANSPORTATION
31	31	13 Massachusetts Department of Transportation
32	32	14 1596-2404MBTA Physical Infrastructure………………………………...$60,000,000
33	33	15 1596-2405MBTA Low-Income Fare Relief ..............................................$20,000,000
34	34	16 1596-2427MBTA Workforce/Safety Reserve .........................................$400,000,000
35	35	17 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF EDUCATION
36	36	18 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
37	37	19 1596-2422Universal School Meals……………………………………..$10,000,000
38	38	20 1596-2424Green Schoolworks…………………………………………$10,000,000
39	39	21 7061-0012 Special Education Circuit Breaker…………………………...$58,000,000
40	40	22 Student Opportunity Act Investment Fund........................100%
41	41	23 Department of Higher Education
42	42	24 1596-2425DHE Endowment Match……………………………………$10,000,000
43	43	25 1596-2426UMass Endowment Match………………………………….$10,000,000
44	44	26 SECTION 2A. The sums set forth in this section are hereby appropriated from the
45	45	27Education and Transportation Fund established in section 2BBBBBB of chapter 29 of the
46	46	28General Laws and the Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital Fund established in 3 of 26
47	47	29section 2DDDDDD of said chapter 29 for the purposes and subject to the conditions specified in
48	48	30this section and subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds for the fiscal year
49	49	31ending June 30, 2025. All appropriations in this section shall not be subject to section 5D of
50	50	32chapter 29 of the General Laws. These sums shall be made available through the fiscal year
51	51	33ending June 30, 2028.
52	52	34 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF EDUCATION
53	53	35 Office of the Secretary
54	54	36 1596-2513For a grant program for capital improvements, leasing of additional space
55	55	37and other initiatives necessary to build capacity and safely accommodate additional career
56	56	38technical education school slots; provided, that the funds shall be administered by the executive
57	57	39office of education, in consultation with the Massachusetts School Building Authority and the
58	58	40executive office of labor and workforce development; and provided further, that in determining a
59	59	41process for awarding grants, the executive office shall prioritize meeting the workforce demands
60	60	42of regional employers, reducing demonstrable waitlists at career and technical education schools
61	61	43and providing equitable access to career and technical skills training..........................$50,000,000
62	62	44 1596-2517For local one-time education projects; provided, that not less than
63	63	45$300,000 shall be expended for Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute Incorporated for costs
64	64	46associated with the education of students; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be
65	65	47expended as a grant to the Northeast Arc, Inc. for its Pathways to Opportunities program for
66	66	48education, mentorship, skill-building and job training of eligible high school students who are
67	67	49not immediately college bound; provided further, that not less than $350,000 shall be expended
68	68	50for the classroom expansion project at the United South End Settlements in the city of Boston; 4 of 26
69	69	51provided further, that not less than $875,000 shall be expended for a statewide college and career
70	70	52readiness program implemented by JFYNetWorks, a nonprofit corporation, to: (i) provide online
71	71	53instructional curricula to help students meet the Massachusetts state standards at each grade level
72	72	54and reduce learning loss and achievement gaps; and (ii) prepare students for required
73	73	55assessments and college placement tests in middle and high schools; provided further, that not
74	74	56less than $200,000 shall be expended for 826 Boston, Inc. to administer writing enrichment,
75	75	57tutoring and college prep services for public school students; provided further, that not less than
76	76	58$250,000 shall be expended for NeighborHealth Corporation for the development of a school-
77	77	59based health clinic within the Mario Umana Academy in the city of Boston; provided further,
78	78	60that not less than $45,000 shall be expended to the town of Wayland for the purchase of a van
79	79	61needed to expand transition programming for special education students in the Wayland public
80	80	62schools; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended to Junior Achievement
81	81	63of Greater Boston, Inc. to enhance middle school to career pathways, featuring the following
82	82	64programs: (a) interactive career exploration events designed to connect 1,200 8th graders with
83	83	65local businesses and industries to provide education pathways for career enhancement; (b) direct
84	84	66youth entrepreneurship by giving high school students the space, mentorship, materials and
85	85	67educational support necessary to launch and operate businesses in conjunction with coursework;
86	86	68(c) providing financial literacy courses, materials and educator training to students enrolled in
87	87	69financial literacy courses through designated district public schools; and (d) providing all levels
88	88	70of placement services and support for paid internships for program alumni; provided further, that
89	89	71not less than $100,000 shall be expended for support of the Gloucester high school vocational
90	90	72school, including, but not limited to, the design, construction and implementation of a medical
91	91	73assisting program; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for The Sports 5 of 26
92	92	74Museum to continue Boston vs. Bullies programming and preservation; provided further, that not
93	93	75less than $150,000 shall be expended by the department of elementary and secondary education
94	94	76for a grant program to school districts for implementation of community schools, including, but
95	95	77not limited to, the hiring of community school coordinators; provided further, that not less than
96	96	78$125,000 shall be expended as a grant to The May Institute, Inc. to support accessibility and
97	97	79construction costs for its new school located in the town of Mansfield for the special education of
98	98	80public school students with autism and other developmental disabilities up to age 22; provided
99	99	81further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to NEADS World Class Service Dogs to
100	100	82administer, expand and digitize the NEADS Red Vest Accessible program; provided further, that
101	101	83not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Worcester public schools to supply elementary
102	102	84schools, that serve students in Main South and Columbus Park, with reading materials for
103	103	85English language learners that are relevant to and reflective of their experiences; provided
104	104	86further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Leicester public schools to purchase
105	105	87equipment for its veterinary technician vocational program; provided further, that not less than
106	106	88$300,000 shall be expended for full-time kindergarten tuition expenses for Braintree public
107	107	89schools; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to Special Olympics
108	108	90Massachusetts, Inc. for early motor skills development and inclusive pre-K and elementary
109	109	91education; provided further, that $500,000 shall be expended to METCO, Inc. to supplement
110	110	92costs of late bus transportation for the 33 METCO school districts; provided further, that not less
111	111	93than $75,000 shall be expended to Calmer Choice to enable continuation of the non-profit’s 15-
112	112	94year evidence-based mental health programming to students in grades K-12 and educators in 11
113	113	95public schools and 11 community organizations throughout Cape Cod and the south shore;
114	114	96provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be allocated to Wondermore Inc. to support 6 of 26
115	115	97literacy initiatives in Boston public schools, with a focus on promoting diversity through author
116	116	98visits and book distribution; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be allocated to
117	117	99Boston public schools for the development of the Aviation Program at Madison Park technical
118	118	100vocational high school, an FAA-certified initiative designed to train students to become licensed,
119	119	101certified pilots; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for Women’s
120	120	102Money Matters, Inc. to provide support for financial wellness programs; provided further, that
121	121	103not less than $100,000 shall be provided to the city of Brockton and expended for the installation
122	122	104of a public safety crosswalk in front of New Heights charter school located on Main street in the
123	123	105city of Brockton for costs associated with design and installation; provided further, that not less
124	124	106than $25,000 shall be expended for the Mattapan Technology Learning Center, Inc. for
125	125	107instructors and case managers to provide job training and career placement for technical
126	126	108industries; provided further, that $50,000 shall be expended for the St. Stephen’s Youth Parent
127	127	109mentoring program at the Mattahunt elementary school to increase the parent mentoring cohort
128	128	110size to 10; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Brave Behind Bars,
129	129	111Inc. for the Tufts University Prison Initiative of Tisch College women’s education program;
130	130	112provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the E-Team training program to
131	131	113support vocational education and workforce training for adults; provided further, that not less
132	132	114than $75,000 be expended for the Haitian-Creole program at New England Culinary Arts
133	133	115Training; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the rehabilitation
134	134	116and conversion of the McKinley school in the city of Revere into an early childhood education
135	135	117center; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for Blessed Stephen
136	136	118Bellesini, O.S.A. Academy, Inc. to support underserved students in the city of Lawrence;
137	137	119provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to Jumpstart for Young Children, 7 of 26
138	138	120Inc. to provide support to evidence-based early childhood education programs that promote
139	139	121language, literacy and social-emotional skill development for preschool children from under-
140	140	122served communities and the expanded scope of work that Jumpstart provides in the
141	141	123commonwealth to address the early education workforce shortage; provided further, that not less
142	142	124than $2,700,000 shall be expended for Leo Inc. in the city of Lynn for capital costs to increase
143	143	125childcare capacity at its Broad street preschool; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall
144	144	126be expended for psychosocial educational programming at the Teen Torch Foundation; provided
145	145	127further, that not less than $100,000 shall be allocated to Amherst-Pelham regional school district
146	146	128for special education services; provided further, that not less than $850,000 shall be expended to
147	147	129Charles River Community Health, Inc. to develop physical space and support start-up costs
148	148	130necessary for a primary care medical residency program; provided further, that not less than
149	149	131$100,000 shall be expended for computer device replacement in the North Reading public
150	150	132schools; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to the New Bedford
151	151	133Whaling Museum's welcome and exhibition center; provided further, that not less than $100,000
152	152	134shall be expended for the town of West Springfield for educational materials, programs or
153	153	135services incurred by the town of West Springfield; provided further, that not less than $100,000
154	154	136shall be expended for improvements to the Framingham high school auditorium; provided
155	155	137further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Chenery middle school in the town
156	156	138of Belmont for the Chenery park revitalization project to enhance educational opportunities for
157	157	139students; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Shelburne
158	158	140for playground improvements; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to
159	159	141the town of Charlemont for the Mohawk Trail regional and Hawlemont school districts’
160	160	142sustainability study; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for Julie’s 8 of 26
161	161	143Family Learning Program, Inc. for a 1-time investment to replace antiquated infrastructure at its
162	162	144early education and care facility; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended
163	163	145to People, Incorporated for expanded and affordable childcare access for infants, toddlers and
164	164	146preschoolers in the city of Fall River; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be
165	165	147expended to the Greenfield public schools to support students in the city of Greenfield; provided
166	166	148further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Laboure Center, Inc. to offset costs
167	167	149associated with placing English language learners through its nursing assistant and home health
168	168	150aide program; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the Josiah
169	169	151Quincy School Association in the city of Boston; provided further, that $25,000 shall be
170	170	152expended for the South Boston Neighborhood House, Inc. to offset a 1-time deficit for its early
171	171	153education and care program; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the
172	172	154town of Upton to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not
173	173	155less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Northbridge to offset special education costs
174	174	156for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of
175	175	157Grafton to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than
176	176	158$100,000 shall be expended for upgrades to the Lynnfield high school auditorium in the town of
177	177	159Lynnfield to improve daily educational and after school uses of the auditorium; provided further,
178	178	160that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Children’s Room in the town of Arlington for
179	179	161student mental health support; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for
180	180	162the Westfield school district for costs associated with projects in the musical education of
181	181	163students; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for bathroom renovation
182	182	164and accessibility upgrades for the Belchertown public schools; provided further, that not less
183	183	165than $50,000 shall be expended for Springfield public schools for improvements to the Indian 9 of 26
184	184	166Orchard elementary school; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to
185	185	167Ellis memorial early education center in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than
186	186	168$25,000 shall be expended for necessary repairs to the Newbury elementary school in the town
187	187	169of Newbury; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for Springfield
188	188	170public schools to expand the arts program by acquiring art supplies, theater essentials and pottery
189	189	171supplies to increase student engagement; provided further, that not less than $350,000 shall be
190	190	172expended to Kids In Tech, Inc. for the purposes of supporting after-school, hands-on science,
191	191	173technology, engineering, art and math education programs across the commonwealth; provided
192	192	174further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for Springfield public schools to obtain
193	193	175translation devices to support communication for multilingual learner students and their parents;
194	194	176provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended for improvements to pedestrian
195	195	177and busing access at Walpole high school; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be
196	196	178expended for Springfield public schools to obtain and disperse, to all schools, multilingual
197	197	179dictionaries for multilingual learner students; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be
198	198	180expended for Springfield public schools for improvements at Dorman elementary school;
199	199	181provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Lunenburg for
200	200	182educational materials, programs or services incurred by the town of Lunenburg; provided further,
201	201	183that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Springfield public schools for improvements
202	202	184at Boland elementary school; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for
203	203	185Springfield public schools to obtain headphones for ACCESS testing for multilingual learner
204	204	186students; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of
205	205	187Bellingham to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less
206	206	188than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Uxbridge to offset special education costs for 10 of 26
207	207	189fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the
208	208	190Blackstone-Millville regional school district to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025;
209	209	191provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Arlington for
210	210	192technology upgrades in the Arlington public schools; provided further, that not less than
211	211	193$100,000 shall be expended to Methuen public schools to support special education services;
212	212	194provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to Springfield public schools for
213	213	195the replacement of the fire alarm system at Springfield high school of science and technology;
214	214	196provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Peabody public school
215	215	197system to provide for the science from scientists program; provided further, that not less than
216	216	198$250,000 shall be expended toward academic and financial support services for students of the
217	217	199Urban College of Boston: A Two-Year College, Inc.; provided further, that not less than
218	218	200$200,000 shall be expended to Marlborough public schools to offset unanticipated out of district
219	219	201special education placements and related transportation costs; provided further, that not less than
220	220	202$75,000 shall be expended to the city known as the town of Franklin for the purchase of a special
221	221	203education passenger van to transport and support students for in-district programs in the Franklin
222	222	204public schools; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of
223	223	205Watertown to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less
224	224	206than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Waltham to offset special education costs for
225	225	207fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of
226	226	208Newton to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than
227	227	209$200,000 shall be expended to College Bound Dorchester, Inc. for the administration of
228	228	210alternative education and other services for at-risk youth; provided further, that not less than
229	229	211$100,000 shall be expended to the town of Westford for technological equipment upgrades in 11 of 26
230	230	212classrooms for Crisafulli elementary school in Westford; provided further, that not less than
231	231	213$300,000 shall be expended to Weymouth public schools for materials, tools, equipment,
232	232	214technology and educational resources that support teaching, learning and educational
233	233	215development within the Weymouth public schools vocational and career technical education
234	234	216programs; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Melrose public
235	235	217schools for energy efficiency upgrades to Lincoln elementary, Melrose high school, and Melrose
236	236	218Veterans Memorial middle school; and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be
237	237	219expended to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of consolidating the following school
238	238	220districts: Northern Berkshire school union, North Adams school district, and Hoosac valley
239	239	221regional school district; the study will also take into consideration the consolidation of
240	240	222services………………………………………………………….…………….$13,765,000
241	241	223 1596-2519For a reserve to support regional school transportation
242	242	224costs..................................................................................................................$15,000,000
243	243	225 Department of Early Education and Care
244	244	226 1596-2511For initiatives to support workforce, affordability and quality
245	245	227improvements in the early education and care sector; provided, that funds may be transferred at
246	246	228the direction of the secretary of administration and finance to the Early Education and Care
247	247	229Operational Grant Fund established in section 19 of chapter 15D of the General Laws; provided
248	248	230further, that not less than $20,000,000 shall be expended for a reimbursement rate increase for
249	249	231subsidized early education center-based and family child care providers in the fiscal year ending
250	250	232on June 30, 2026; provided further, that not less than $7,500,000 shall be expended for an early
251	251	233education and care educator loan forgiveness program established in section 19G of said chapter 12 of 26
252	252	23415A; provided further, that not less than $8,000,000 shall be expended for grants to early
253	253	235education and care providers for costs associated with personal childcare; provided further, that
254	254	236notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds from said transfer may be
255	255	237expended from said fund for one-time improvements that assist all families in connecting to child
256	256	238care providers and other initiatives to support capacity building and workforce supports for early
257	257	239education and care providers........................................................................................$55,500,000
258	258	240 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
259	259	241 1596-2514For educational grants to reduce the waitlist for English for speakers of
260	260	242other languages services; provided, that funds shall be administered by the department of
261	261	243elementary and secondary education in coordination with the Workforce Skills Cabinet
262	262	244established in Executive Order No. 560, dated February 26, 2015; provided further, that in
263	263	245determining a process for awarding grants, the department shall prioritize programs focused on
264	264	246training workers with the English language skills needed to fill in-demand jobs; and provided
265	265	247further, that the commissioner of elementary and secondary education may transfer funds to item
266	266	2487035-0002 and expend said funds subject to the conditions specified in said item in the general
267	267	249appropriations act for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2026.......................................$8,500,000
268	268	250 1596-2515For an early literacy high-dosage tutoring initiative program directed by
269	269	251the commissioner of elementary and secondary education; provided, that said program shall
270	270	252support Massachusetts public schools and districts to partner with providers approved by the
271	271	253department of elementary and secondary education to address pandemic-related learning loss and
272	272	254other identified underperformance to support accelerated literacy growth for students in
273	273	255kindergarten through grade 3; provided further, that students characterized as below benchmark 13 of 26
274	274	256in grade 1 shall be prioritized; provided further, that funds may support activities, including, but
275	275	257not limited to: (i) providing early literacy tutoring services for students in kindergarten through
276	276	258grade 3 who have not met relevant benchmarks on department of elementary and secondary
277	277	259education-approved early literacy screening assessments; (ii) administering said screening
278	278	260assessments for participating students and collecting and sharing pre- and post-tutoring data; (iii)
279	279	261studying the impact of the provided tutoring; and (iv) providing in-person or virtual foundational
280	280	262skills-focused tutoring services per department of elementary and secondary education guidance;
281	281	263and provided further, that participating entities may include, but shall not be limited to: (a) public
282	282	264schools; and (b) districts serving a large proportion of high-needs students………….$25,000,000
283	283	265 1596-2516For a reserve to support reimbursements to school districts and direct
284	284	266payments to service providers for special education instructional and transportation costs
285	285	267pursuant to section 5A of chapter 71B of the General Laws and item 7061-0012; provided, that
286	286	268reimbursements shall be made in the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2026 for costs incurred in the
287	287	269fiscal year ending on June 30, 2025; provided further, that funds may be transferred to said item
288	288	2707061-0012 and expended subject to the conditions specified in said item in the general
289	289	271appropriations act for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2026; provided further, that not less than
290	290	272$250,000 shall be expended for the office of the inspector general to review school district
291	291	273transportation service practices provided pursuant to said section 5A of said chapter 71B,
292	292	274including, but not limited to, procurement of said services, and to make recommendations for
293	293	275school districts that aim to reduce costs and ensure that districts maximize purchasing power and
294	294	276act transparently and efficiently to provide said services; provided further, that the office of the
295	295	277inspector general shall review possible ways for districts to consolidate transportation services
296	296	278regionally, to the extent practicable; provided further, that not later than February 2, 2026, the 14 of 26
297	297	279office of the inspector general shall submit to the house and senate committees on ways and
298	298	280means and the joint committee on education and publish on its website recommendations and
299	299	281best practices: (i) for school districts to reduce costs and maximize purchasing power for
300	300	282transportation services; (ii) to consolidate transportation services regionally, to the extent
301	301	283practicable; and (iii) that the office deems necessary for said services; provided further, that the
302	302	284office of the inspector general shall include in its recommendations any information on cost
303	303	285savings for school districts by following said best practices and recommendations; and provided
304	304	286further, that the department of elementary and secondary education shall provide any information
305	305	287necessary for the office of the inspector general to conduct a comprehensive review under this
306	306	288item…………………………………………………………………..........................$190,000,000
307	307	289 1596-9805For programs to encourage graduates of the commonwealth’s public
308	308	290institutions of higher education to work as public school educators; provided, that not less than
309	309	291$1,237,500 shall be expended to fund the tomorrow’s educators scholarship program established
310	310	292pursuant to section 19D of chapter 15A of the General Laws; provided further, that not less than
311	311	293$1,237,500 shall be expended for a student loan repayment assistance program for public school
312	312	294educators; provided further, that the student loan repayment assistance program shall be
313	313	295administered by the executive office of education and that funds for the program may be
314	314	296expended to enhance existing loan repayment assistance programs, if appropriate; provided
315	315	297further, that the student loan repayment assistance program shall provide assistance of not more
316	316	298than $7,500 per eligible individual; provided further, that said program shall prioritize the
317	317	299recruitment and retention of racially, culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse educators
318	318	300consistent with chapter 132 of the acts of 2019 to diversify the educator workforce; provided
319	319	301further, that to be eligible for loan repayment assistance under this item, an individual shall: (a) 15 of 26
320	320	302have completed a bachelor’s degree program at a public institution of higher education as
321	321	303defined in section 5 of chapter 15A of the General Laws and including Quincy College, after
322	322	304January 1, 2020; (b) have outstanding educational debt that was incurred to pay tuition, fees or
323	323	305additional costs of attendance as calculated by the institution of higher education, including, but
324	324	306not limited to, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, child care and personal
325	325	307expenses, while enrolled in an undergraduate degree or post-baccalaureate program at the
326	326	308institution; and (c) commit to and work for 4 years in a school district, as defined in section 2 of
327	327	309chapter 70 of the General Laws, as a teacher, instructional or program paraprofessional, or in any
328	328	310other position that requires a license or other form of certification issued by the department of
329	329	311elementary and secondary education or other state agency; provided further, that the executive
330	330	312office of education shall promulgate regulations for the administration and enforcement of the
331	331	313student loan repayment assistance program which shall include repayment procedures if a
332	332	314participating individual fails to comply with the program requirements; provided further, that if
333	333	315the funds appropriated for the program are insufficient to cover costs of all eligible individuals,
334	334	316priority shall be given to educators working in school districts with higher shares of students who
335	335	317are designated as low income as defined in said section 2 of said chapter 70; provided further,
336	336	318that not less than 45 days prior to the obligation of funds for the loan repayment assistance
337	337	319program, the executive office of education shall submit a comprehensive program plan to the
338	338	320executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and
339	339	321means and the joint committee on education; and provided further, that funds from this item may
340	340	322be expended on a public awareness campaign on the loan repayment assistance
341	341	323program………………………………………………………………………………..$2,475,000 16 of 26
342	342	324 1596-2518For a capital project, including development costs, administered by the
343	343	325department of elementary and secondary education for the Holocaust Legacy Foundation, Inc. to
344	344	326establish the Boston Holocaust Museum to provide interactive educational opportunities in the
345	345	327commonwealth, including, but not limited to, history and social science frameworks; provided,
346	346	328that funds may be used for: (i) exhibit buildout; (ii) accessibility; (iii) security infrastructure; (iv)
347	347	329educational technology; and (v) curriculum………………………$5,000,000
348	348	330 TRANSPORTATION
349	349	331 Massachusetts Department of Transportation
350	350	332 1595-2508For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation
351	351	333Authority to replenish the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority deficiency fund;
352	352	334provided, that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall notify the Massachusetts
353	353	335Department of Transportation, the executive office for administration and finance, the house and
354	354	336senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on transportation not less than 30
355	355	337days prior to withdrawing funds from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
356	356	338deficiency fund; and provided further, that not later than June 30, 2025, the Massachusetts Bay
357	357	339Transportation Authority shall submit a written deficiency fund policy to the Massachusetts
358	358	340Department of Transportation, the executive office for administration and finance, the joint
359	359	341committee on transportation and the house and senate committees on ways and
360	360	342means………………………………………………………………………………$300,000,000
361	361	343 1596-2505For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund
362	362	344established in section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws for a program to support grants for
363	363	345workforce and training initiatives at regional transit authorities and support transit improvements 17 of 26
364	364	346across the commonwealth; provided, that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall
365	365	347oversee the distribution of grants under this item; and provided further, that not later than March
366	366	3482, 2026, the department shall submit a report to the joint committee on transportation and the
367	367	349house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the
368	368	350grant criteria used to determine awards; (ii) a list of grant recipients, including the amounts
369	369	351received by each recipient; and (iii) a description of the specific uses by each recipient
370	370	352...................................................................................................................$25,000,000
371	371	353 1596-2506For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund
372	372	354established in section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws for a pilot program to provide grants
373	373	355to municipalities for repair, maintenance and improvements to unpaved roads; provided, that the
374	374	356Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall oversee the distribution of grants under this
375	375	357item; provided further, that said grant funds shall only be available to municipalities for repair,
376	376	358maintenance and improvements to dirt or gravel roads that are open to the public and maintained
377	377	359by the municipality; provided further, that grant funds shall be used by municipalities for: (i)
378	378	360reconstruction, surface grading, crown and shoulder restoration and removal of wash boarding
379	379	361and potholes; (ii) guardrail and signage repair or replacement; (iii) drainage work, including
380	380	362swales; and (iv) the purchase or lease of maintenance equipment, including, but not limited to,
381	381	363graders, rollers and loaders; provided further, that municipalities shall not use grant funds for: (a)
382	382	364construction of new roadways; (b) conversion of unpaved roads to paved roads; (c) landscaping
383	383	365or removing vegetation not related to an eligible use project; (d) culverts; (e) retaining walls; or
384	384	366(f) police details; and provided further, that not later than December 30, 2025, the Massachusetts
385	385	367Department of Transportation shall submit a report on grant funds from this item to the house
386	386	368and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on transportation that shall 18 of 26
387	387	369include, but shall not be limited to: (A) the methodology used to distribute grant funds; (B) a list
388	388	370of all municipalities that received grant funds; and (C) the amount of grant funds awarded to
389	389	371each municipality…………………………………………………………………...…$10,000,000
390	390	372 1596-2507For local one-time transportation projects; provided, that not less than
391	391	373$300,000 shall be expended for mitigation costs associated with development along route 93 in
392	392	374the city of Medford; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of
393	393	375Sudbury for the operation of the GoSudbury program to provide subsidized rideshare and taxi
394	394	376transportation; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for a design,
395	395	377feasibility and traffic study for a town square in the town of Paxton; provided further, that not
396	396	378less than $75,000 shall be expended for the city of Methuen to purchase and install solar-
397	397	379powered radar speed limit signs in high-risk areas throughout the city; provided further, that not
398	398	380less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for
399	399	381sound mitigation at the South-Side Maintenance Facility in the Readville section of the city of
400	400	382Boston; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for the town of Lexington
401	401	383to support increased transportation expenses due to 250th anniversary celebrations; provided
402	402	384further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for culvert upgrades and other rural
403	403	385infrastructure improvements in the town of Bolton; provided further, that not less than $75,000
404	404	386shall be expended for the reconstruction of a bridge connecting Brandon road in the town of
405	405	387Dudley to Hill street in the town of Webster; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall
406	406	388be expended for the redesign, installation of new steps, added lights and installation of an
407	407	389emergency safety alert system for the bridge on Norfolk street in the city of Boston between the
408	408	390intersections of Corbet street and Willowwood street; provided further, that not less than $50,000
409	409	391shall be expended for the preservation and repair of the Hartwell street bridge in the town of 19 of 26
410	410	392West Boylston; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for road repair
411	411	393projects in the town of Granby; provided further, that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation
412	412	394Authority shall provide RIDE services to the town of North Reading; provided further, that not
413	413	395less than $300,000 shall be expended to the city of Lawrence for the construction and
414	414	396rehabilitation of the Joseph W. Casey bridge, the Mario Lucchesi Memorial bridge, the Daisy
415	415	397street bridge and the Majowics bridge; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be
416	416	398expended to supplement school district transportation services for the town of West Springfield;
417	417	399provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for sidewalks, curbing, crossings,
418	418	400ramps and pedestrian accessibility improvements in the city of Framingham; provided further,
419	419	401that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for maintenance vehicle upgrades in the city of
420	420	402Greenfield; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for pedestrian safety
421	421	403improvements in the town of Arlington; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be
422	422	404expended to the town of Hamilton for a missing sidewalk project along Highland street; provided
423	423	405further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for capital improvements and planning for
424	424	406transportation infrastructure projects in the city of Malden; provided further, that not less than
425	425	407$20,000 shall be expended for Village Neighbors, Inc. for transportation services in rural
426	426	408communities; provided further, that not less than $60,000 shall be expended for the Ludlow
427	427	409council on aging for senior transportation costs and equipment; provided further, that not less
428	428	410than $50,000 shall be expended for culvert replacements in the town of Berkley; provided
429	429	411further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Brookline for bicycle share
430	430	412stations, bicycles and installation costs; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be
431	431	413expended to the Revere Beach Partnership, Inc. for transportation mitigation costs associated
432	432	414with the 2025 International Sand Sculpting Festival in the city of Revere; provided further, that 20 of 26
433	433	415not less than $25,000,000 shall be expended to the city of Quincy for a downtown parking garage
434	434	416to help facilitate patient access to the planned development of a new medical facility; provided
435	435	417further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of Fitchburg for road surface
436	436	418and pedestrian way repair projects for route 12; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall
437	437	419be expended for drainage improvements along Pauline street in the city of Winthrop; provided
438	438	420further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Belmont for sidewalk
439	439	421pedestrian safety improvements; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended
440	440	422to the town of Stoneham for school transportation costs pursuant to section 7A of chapter 71 of
441	441	423the General Laws; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended to the town of
442	442	424Winchester for drainage improvements; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be
443	443	425expended to the city of Marlborough to continue operation of the local commuter shuttle
444	444	426connecting residents from area commuter rail stations to Marlborough employers and downtown
445	445	427Marlborough businesses; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the
446	446	428town of Bedford for the installation of a crosswalk in the Crosby drive area; provided further,
447	447	429that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the Wakefield police department for a vehicular
448	448	430traffic and speed monitoring subscription service; provided further, that not less than $300,000
449	449	431shall be expended to the city of Worcester for the Chandler street renovation project; and
450	450	432provided further, that not less than $600,000 shall be expended to the town of Wellesley for a
451	451	433traffic study and redesign of the Weston road corridor in the town of Wellesley, including the
452	452	434Linden street and Central street bottleneck and the route 9 interchange: and provided further, that
453	453	435not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Wakefield for roadway
454	454	436improvements……………………………………………………………………...$28,930,000 21 of 26
455	455	437 1596-2509For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation
456	456	438Authority under clause (1) of subsection (d) of section 2ZZZ of chapter 29 of the General Laws
457	457	439for direct costs and lost revenues attributable to initiatives undertaken by the Massachusetts Bay
458	458	440Transportation Authority to mitigate traffic impacts related to the closure of the Sumner Tunnel
459	459	441during fiscal years 2024 and 2025; provided, that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation
460	460	442Authority shall submit a report to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the joint
461	461	443committee on transportation and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing
462	462	444the initiatives undertaken by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to mitigate traffic
463	463	445impacts related to the closure of the Sumner Tunnel for maintenance
464	464	446...............................................................................................................................$13,000,000
465	465	447 SECTION 2B. Chapter 15D of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the
466	466	448following section:-
467	467	449 Section 22. (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall, unless the context
468	468	450clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
469	469	451 “Imagination Library of Massachusetts program”, a comprehensive statewide initiative to
470	470	452encourage children from birth to 5 years of age to develop a love of reading and learning.
471	471	453 “Qualified local entity”, an existing or new local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
472	472	454affiliate that agrees to fund up to 50 per cent of the costs of the Imagination Library of
473	473	455Massachusetts program.
474	474	456 (b) Subject to appropriation, the department shall establish the Imagination Library of
475	475	457Massachusetts program to promote the development of a comprehensive statewide initiative to
476	476	458encourage preschool age children to develop a love of reading and learning. The department 22 of 26
477	477	459shall develop, implement and promote a comprehensive statewide initiative to encourage
478	478	460children from birth to 5 years of age to develop a love of reading and learning.
479	479	461 (c)(1) Subject to appropriation, the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program shall
480	480	462provide, through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, 1 age-appropriate book to each registered
481	481	463child from birth to age 5. Books shall be sent monthly to each child’s home at no cost to families.
482	482	464 (2) Subject to appropriation, the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program shall
483	483	465contribute funds to qualified local entities participating in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
484	484	466 (d) The department shall administer the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program,
485	485	467including, but not limited to:
486	486	468 (i) promoting the statewide development of qualified local entities;
487	487	469 (ii) coordinating with qualified local entities to increase enrollment;
488	488	470 (iii) engaging with communities, qualified local entities and nonprofit leaders across the
489	489	471commonwealth;
490	490	472 (iv) implementing a statewide marketing and communications campaign, including, but
491	491	473not limited to, an ongoing public awareness campaign to:
492	492	474 (A) make donors aware of the opportunity to donate to the Imagination Library of
493	493	475Massachusetts program; and
494	494	476 (B) make the public aware of the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program and
495	495	477how to register eligible children; and 23 of 26
496	496	478 (v) coordinating the local match requirement for approved qualified local entities as well
497	497	479as the reimbursement of local program costs for books and mailing, as needed.
498	498	480 (e) The department shall, in coordination with the qualified local entity, ensure all
499	499	481personally identifiable information is handled in accordance with all applicable state and federal
500	500	482laws and regulations.
501	501	483 (f) Annually, not later than March 15, the department shall submit a report to the clerks of
502	502	484the house of representatives and senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the
503	503	485chairs of the joint committee on education, the executive office for administration and finance
504	504	486and the executive office of education on the activities of the program, including, but not limited
505	505	487to: (i) the total number of children enrolled, delineated by municipality; (ii) the number of books
506	506	488sent to enrolled children, delineated by municipality; (iii) the number of books returned as
507	507	489undeliverable, delineated by municipality; (iv) any activity from the Imagination Library of
508	508	490Massachusetts Fund, established in section 2KKKKKK of chapter 29, including, but not limited
509	509	491to, deposits and expenditures; (v) the number of qualified local entities across the
510	510	492commonwealth, their locations, local match amount contributed and other local partners, if any;
511	511	493and (vi) any other information the department deems relevant.
512	512	494 (g) The department may promulgate regulations, pursuant to chapter 30A, for the
513	513	495implementation of the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program.
514	514	496 SECTION 2C. Chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
515	515	497section 2JJJJJJ, inserted by section 7 of chapter 248 of the acts of 2024, the following section:- 24 of 26
516	516	498 Section 2KKKKKK. (a) There is hereby established and set up on the books of the
517	517	499commonwealth a separate, non-budgeted special revenue fund known as the Imagination Library
518	518	500of Massachusetts Fund that shall be administered by the secretary of education.
519	519	501 (b) There shall be credited to the fund: (i) revenue from appropriations and other money
520	520	502authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (ii) funds
521	521	503from public and private sources such as gifts, grants and donations; and (iii) interest earned on
522	522	504money in the fund. Amounts credited to the fund shall be expended without further
523	523	505appropriation. No expenditure made from the fund shall cause the fund to be in deficit at any
524	524	506point. Any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General
525	525	507Fund. The fund shall not be subject to section 5C.
526	526	508 (c) Funds shall be made available to provide age-appropriate books on a monthly basis, at
527	527	509home, to each child registered in the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program, established
528	528	510pursuant to section 22 of chapter 15D, from birth to their fifth birthday, inclusive, at no cost to
529	529	511families or guardians, in coordination with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
530	530	512 SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, income surtax
531	531	513revenue, as defined in section 2BBBBBB of chapter 29 of the General Laws, collected in the
532	532	514fiscal year ending on June 30, 2024 but certified after July 20, 2024, shall be transferred to the
533	533	515Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital Fund established in section 2DDDDDD of
534	534	516said chapter 29 from the Student Opportunity Act Investment Fund established in section 35RRR
535	535	517of chapter 10 of the General Laws, not later than 30 days after the effective date of this act.
536	536	518 SECTION 4. Section 2F of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024 is hereby amended by striking
537	537	519out item 1596-2427 and inserting in place thereof the following item:- 25 of 26
538	538	520 1596-2427For a transfer to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
539	539	521workforce and safety reserve established in line item 1599-1971 of section 2 of chapter 126 of
540	540	522the acts of 2022, for projects to address ongoing safety concerns at the Massachusetts Bay
541	541	523Transportation Authority related to the interim and final findings of the Federal Transit
542	542	524Administration’s Safety Management Inspection initiated in April 2022; provided, that the
543	543	525Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall work in consultation with the Massachusetts
544	544	526Department of Transportation and the department of public utilities in the planning and
545	545	527implementation of said projects funded through this item; provided further, that funds may be
546	546	528expended for hiring and retention related to said projects; provided further, that funds may be
547	547	529expended to support ongoing costs associated with said projects which shall include preventative
548	548	530maintenance, safety, service delivery and capital activities necessary to remain in compliance
549	549	531with said findings of said inspection; provided further, that the Massachusetts Department of
550	550	532Transportation shall issue monthly reports to the joint committee on transportation and the house
551	551	533and senate committees on ways and means detailing the status of the Massachusetts Bay
552	552	534Transportation Authority’s progress toward responding to each finding and required action as
553	553	535issued by the Federal Transit Administration; and provided further, that said reports shall be
554	554	536delineated by special directive and shall include, but shall not be limited to: (i) the funds
555	555	537expended from this item and the related purpose for said spending; (ii) the completion date of
556	556	538each executed required action; and (iii) the estimated completion date of each pending required
557	557	539action..............................................................................................................................$36,000,000
558	558	540 Education and Transportation Fund ....................... 100%
559	559	541 SECTION 5. Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
560	560	542is hereby amended by inserting the following section: - 26 of 26
561	561	543 Section 1E.
562	562	544 No public school shall allow a male student athlete to participate on a girls’ sports team
563	563	545nor shall a public school allow a female athlete to participate on a boys sports team.
564	564	546 Any school found not in compliance shall forfeit all games where an athlete of the
565	565	547opposite sex participated. The Superior Court shall have available all remedies at law or in
566	566	548equity. A party who brings an action to enforce this section and prevails shall be entitled to his or
567	567	549her costs and attorney’s fees.
568	568	550 Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the provisions of this section
569	569	551shall not take effect until such time as: (i) the department of elementary and secondary education
570	570	552has analyzed the policy for student athletes and their families in the commonwealth, including,
571	571	553but not limited to, a review of: any safeguards that may alleviate safety concerns related to
572	572	554physical health, and the impacts on the education and extracurricular activities of elementary and
573	573	555secondary students at public schools in the commonwealth, including, but not limited to,
574	574	556behavioral and physical health impacts related to this section, anticipated changes to the well-
575	575	557being of said students and the current practice of other states; (ii) the department has furnished a
576	576	558report of the analysis pursuant to clause (i); and (iii) legislation necessary to carry out any
577	577	559recommendations has been filed and enacted pursuant to Part 2, Chap. 1, Sec. 1, Art. II of the
578	578	560Constitution.