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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1598 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1543
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Cindy F. Friedman
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act establishing a nursing workforce center.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Cindy F. FriedmanFourth MiddlesexJoanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester2/5/2025 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1598 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1543
By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1543) of Cindy F. Friedman and
Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to establish a nursing workforce center at the University of
Massachusetts medical school in Worcester. Public Health.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act establishing a nursing workforce center.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 75 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by inserting after section 36E the following section:-
3 Section 36F. (a) There shall be at the University of Massachusetts medical school in
4Worcester a nursing workforce center. The purpose of the nursing workforce center shall be to
5gather data, research and provide analysis to advise policy leaders on how to address the current
6and future nursing workforce needs of nurses and others who support nursing care and to provide
7recommendations to advance nursing science and practice in the commonwealth. The nursing
8workforce center shall be administered by an executive director who shall be appointed by the
9dean of the University of Massachusetts medical school. The nursing workforce center shall be
10subject to the direction and oversight of the executive office of health and human services.
11 (b) The nursing workforce center shall: 2 of 3
12 (1) Convene a diverse group of key stakeholders including nurses, health care providers,
13business and industry leaders, consumers, state agencies, legislators and educators to collaborate
14on strategies to improve the nursing workforce and speak with one voice on issues impacting the
15nursing workforce;
16 (2) Conduct research on best practices and quality patient outcomes across settings;
17 (3) Prepare and disseminate written reports and recommendations regarding the current
18and future status and trends of the nursing workforce;
19 (4) Research, analyze and report data related to the recruitment and retention of the
20nursing workforce;
21 (5) Develop and implement strategies to recruit and retain nurses in the commonwealth;
22 (6) Recommend systemic changes to the nursing workforce pipeline;
23 (7) Foster collaboration among members of the health care community to achieve policy
24consensus, promote diversity across the profession and within the health care workforce and
25enhance the knowledge of nursing practice;
26 (8) Encourage initiatives to support nursing excellence through innovative strategies such
27as recognition programs, incentives for professional growth and activities that enhance the
28visibility and positive perception of the nursing profession across the commonwealth;
29 (9) Provide consultation, technical assistance and information related to nursing resources
30within and outside of the commonwealth and serve as a clearinghouse on nursing practice and
31nursing workforce data; and 3 of 3
32 (10) Examine and engage in other matters deemed appropriate by the executive office of
33health and human services.
34 (c) Annually, the nursing workforce center shall submit a report summarizing its
35activities and made policy recommendations to the secretary of health and human services, the
36chairs of the house and senate committees on ways and means, the chairs of the joint committee
37on public health, the chairs of the joint committee on health care financing and the chairs joint
38committee on higher education. The report shall be made publicly available on the nursing
39workforce center’s website.
40 SECTION 2. The first nursing workforce center report, established pursuant section 36F
41of Chapter 75 of the General Laws, shall be submitted not later than 1 year after the effective
42date of this act.