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