Text of MA H 4010 (2025)

1 of 26 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 2 and other appropriation acts for fiscal year 2025, the sums set forth in section 2 are hereby 3 appropriated from the Education and Transportation Fund established in section 2BBBBBB of 4 chapter 29 of the General Laws and the Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital 5 Fund established in section 2DDDDDD of said chapter 29, unless specifically designated 6 otherwise in this act or in those appropriation acts, for the several purposes and subject to the 7 conditions specified in this section and subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public 8 funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. All appropriations in this section shall not be 9 subject to section 5D of chapter 29 of the General Laws. These sums shall be in addition to any 10 amounts 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 1596-2404 MBTA Physical Infrastructure………………………………...$60,000,000 15 1596-2405 MBTA Low-Income Fare Relief ..............................................$20,000,000 16 1596-2427 MBTA Workforce/Safety Reserve .........................................$400,000,000 17 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF EDUCATION 18 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 19 1596-2422 Universal School Meals……………………………………..$10,000,000 20 1596-2424 Green 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 1596-2425 DHE Endowment Match……………………………………$10,000,000 25 1596-2426 UMass Endowment Match………………………………….$10,000,000 26 SECTION 2A. The sums set forth in this section are hereby appropriated from the 27 Education and Transportation Fund established in section 2BBBBBB of chapter 29 of the 28 General Laws and the Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital Fund established in 3 of 26 29 section 2DDDDDD of said chapter 29 for the purposes and subject to the conditions specified in 30 this section and subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds for the fiscal year 31 ending June 30, 2025. All appropriations in this section shall not be subject to section 5D of 32 chapter 29 of the General Laws. These sums shall be made available through the fiscal year 33 ending June 30, 2028. 34 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF EDUCATION 35 Office of the Secretary 36 1596-2513 For a grant program for capital improvements, leasing of additional space 37 and other initiatives necessary to build capacity and safely accommodate additional career 38 technical education school slots; provided, that the funds shall be administered by the executive 39 office of education, in consultation with the Massachusetts School Building Authority and the 40 executive office of labor and workforce development; and provided further, that in determining a 41 process for awarding grants, the executive office shall prioritize meeting the workforce demands 42 of regional employers, reducing demonstrable waitlists at career and technical education schools 43 and providing equitable access to career and technical skills training..........................$50,000,000 44 1596-2517 For local one-time education projects; provided, that not less than 45 $300,000 shall be expended for Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute Incorporated for costs 46 associated with the education of students; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be 47 expended as a grant to the Northeast Arc, Inc. for its Pathways to Opportunities program for 48 education, mentorship, skill-building and job training of eligible high school students who are 49 not immediately college bound; provided further, that not less than $350,000 shall be expended 50 for the classroom expansion project at the United South End Settlements in the city of Boston; 4 of 26 51 provided further, that not less than $875,000 shall be expended for a statewide college and career 52 readiness program implemented by JFYNetWorks, a nonprofit corporation, to: (i) provide online 53 instructional curricula to help students meet the Massachusetts state standards at each grade level 54 and reduce learning loss and achievement gaps; and (ii) prepare students for required 55 assessments and college placement tests in middle and high schools; provided further, that not 56 less than $200,000 shall be expended for 826 Boston, Inc. to administer writing enrichment, 57 tutoring 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- 59 based health clinic within the Mario Umana Academy in the city of Boston; provided further, 60 that not less than $45,000 shall be expended to the town of Wayland for the purchase of a van 61 needed to expand transition programming for special education students in the Wayland public 62 schools; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended to Junior Achievement 63 of Greater Boston, Inc. to enhance middle school to career pathways, featuring the following 64 programs: (a) interactive career exploration events designed to connect 1,200 8th graders with 65 local businesses and industries to provide education pathways for career enhancement; (b) direct 66 youth entrepreneurship by giving high school students the space, mentorship, materials and 67 educational 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 69 financial literacy courses through designated district public schools; and (d) providing all levels 70 of placement services and support for paid internships for program alumni; provided further, that 71 not less than $100,000 shall be expended for support of the Gloucester high school vocational 72 school, including, but not limited to, the design, construction and implementation of a medical 73 assisting program; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for The Sports 5 of 26 74 Museum to continue Boston vs. Bullies programming and preservation; provided further, that not 75 less than $150,000 shall be expended by the department of elementary and secondary education 76 for a grant program to school districts for implementation of community schools, including, but 77 not 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 79 construction costs for its new school located in the town of Mansfield for the special education of 80 public school students with autism and other developmental disabilities up to age 22; provided 81 further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to NEADS World Class Service Dogs to 82 administer, expand and digitize the NEADS Red Vest Accessible program; provided further, that 83 not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Worcester public schools to supply elementary 84 schools, that serve students in Main South and Columbus Park, with reading materials for 85 English language learners that are relevant to and reflective of their experiences; provided 86 further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Leicester public schools to purchase 87 equipment 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 89 schools; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to Special Olympics 90 Massachusetts, Inc. for early motor skills development and inclusive pre-K and elementary 91 education; provided further, that $500,000 shall be expended to METCO, Inc. to supplement 92 costs of late bus transportation for the 33 METCO school districts; provided further, that not less 93 than $75,000 shall be expended to Calmer Choice to enable continuation of the non-profit’s 15- 94 year evidence-based mental health programming to students in grades K-12 and educators in 11 95 public schools and 11 community organizations throughout Cape Cod and the south shore; 96 provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be allocated to Wondermore Inc. to support 6 of 26 97 literacy initiatives in Boston public schools, with a focus on promoting diversity through author 98 visits and book distribution; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be allocated to 99 Boston public schools for the development of the Aviation Program at Madison Park technical 100 vocational high school, an FAA-certified initiative designed to train students to become licensed, 101 certified pilots; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for Women’s 102 Money Matters, Inc. to provide support for financial wellness programs; provided further, that 103 not less than $100,000 shall be provided to the city of Brockton and expended for the installation 104 of a public safety crosswalk in front of New Heights charter school located on Main street in the 105 city of Brockton for costs associated with design and installation; provided further, that not less 106 than $25,000 shall be expended for the Mattapan Technology Learning Center, Inc. for 107 instructors and case managers to provide job training and career placement for technical 108 industries; provided further, that $50,000 shall be expended for the St. Stephen’s Youth Parent 109 mentoring program at the Mattahunt elementary school to increase the parent mentoring cohort 110 size to 10; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Brave Behind Bars, 111 Inc. for the Tufts University Prison Initiative of Tisch College women’s education program; 112 provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the E-Team training program to 113 support vocational education and workforce training for adults; provided further, that not less 114 than $75,000 be expended for the Haitian-Creole program at New England Culinary Arts 115 Training; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the rehabilitation 116 and conversion of the McKinley school in the city of Revere into an early childhood education 117 center; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for Blessed Stephen 118 Bellesini, O.S.A. Academy, Inc. to support underserved students in the city of Lawrence; 119 provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to Jumpstart for Young Children, 7 of 26 120 Inc. to provide support to evidence-based early childhood education programs that promote 121 language, literacy and social-emotional skill development for preschool children from under- 122 served communities and the expanded scope of work that Jumpstart provides in the 123 commonwealth to address the early education workforce shortage; provided further, that not less 124 than $2,700,000 shall be expended for Leo Inc. in the city of Lynn for capital costs to increase 125 childcare capacity at its Broad street preschool; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall 126 be expended for psychosocial educational programming at the Teen Torch Foundation; provided 127 further, that not less than $100,000 shall be allocated to Amherst-Pelham regional school district 128 for special education services; provided further, that not less than $850,000 shall be expended to 129 Charles River Community Health, Inc. to develop physical space and support start-up costs 130 necessary 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 132 schools; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to the New Bedford 133 Whaling Museum's welcome and exhibition center; provided further, that not less than $100,000 134 shall be expended for the town of West Springfield for educational materials, programs or 135 services incurred by the town of West Springfield; provided further, that not less than $100,000 136 shall be expended for improvements to the Framingham high school auditorium; provided 137 further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Chenery middle school in the town 138 of Belmont for the Chenery park revitalization project to enhance educational opportunities for 139 students; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Shelburne 140 for playground improvements; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to 141 the town of Charlemont for the Mohawk Trail regional and Hawlemont school districts’ 142 sustainability study; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for Julie’s 8 of 26 143 Family Learning Program, Inc. for a 1-time investment to replace antiquated infrastructure at its 144 early education and care facility; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended 145 to People, Incorporated for expanded and affordable childcare access for infants, toddlers and 146 preschoolers in the city of Fall River; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be 147 expended to the Greenfield public schools to support students in the city of Greenfield; provided 148 further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Laboure Center, Inc. to offset costs 149 associated with placing English language learners through its nursing assistant and home health 150 aide program; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the Josiah 151 Quincy School Association in the city of Boston; provided further, that $25,000 shall be 152 expended for the South Boston Neighborhood House, Inc. to offset a 1-time deficit for its early 153 education and care program; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the 154 town of Upton to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not 155 less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Northbridge to offset special education costs 156 for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of 157 Grafton 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 159 Lynnfield to improve daily educational and after school uses of the auditorium; provided further, 160 that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Children’s Room in the town of Arlington for 161 student mental health support; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for 162 the Westfield school district for costs associated with projects in the musical education of 163 students; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for bathroom renovation 164 and accessibility upgrades for the Belchertown public schools; provided further, that not less 165 than $50,000 shall be expended for Springfield public schools for improvements to the Indian 9 of 26 166 Orchard elementary school; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to 167 Ellis 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 169 of Newbury; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for Springfield 170 public schools to expand the arts program by acquiring art supplies, theater essentials and pottery 171 supplies to increase student engagement; provided further, that not less than $350,000 shall be 172 expended to Kids In Tech, Inc. for the purposes of supporting after-school, hands-on science, 173 technology, engineering, art and math education programs across the commonwealth; provided 174 further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for Springfield public schools to obtain 175 translation devices to support communication for multilingual learner students and their parents; 176 provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended for improvements to pedestrian 177 and busing access at Walpole high school; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be 178 expended for Springfield public schools to obtain and disperse, to all schools, multilingual 179 dictionaries for multilingual learner students; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be 180 expended for Springfield public schools for improvements at Dorman elementary school; 181 provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Lunenburg for 182 educational materials, programs or services incurred by the town of Lunenburg; provided further, 183 that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Springfield public schools for improvements 184 at Boland elementary school; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for 185 Springfield public schools to obtain headphones for ACCESS testing for multilingual learner 186 students; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of 187 Bellingham to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less 188 than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Uxbridge to offset special education costs for 10 of 26 189 fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the 190 Blackstone-Millville regional school district to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; 191 provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Arlington for 192 technology 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; 194 provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to Springfield public schools for 195 the replacement of the fire alarm system at Springfield high school of science and technology; 196 provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Peabody public school 197 system 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 199 Urban 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 201 special 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 203 education passenger van to transport and support students for in-district programs in the Franklin 204 public schools; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of 205 Watertown to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less 206 than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Waltham to offset special education costs for 207 fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of 208 Newton 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 210 alternative 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 26 212 classrooms 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, 214 technology and educational resources that support teaching, learning and educational 215 development within the Weymouth public schools vocational and career technical education 216 programs; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Melrose public 217 schools for energy efficiency upgrades to Lincoln elementary, Melrose high school, and Melrose 218 Veterans Memorial middle school; and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be 219 expended to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of consolidating the following school 220 districts: Northern Berkshire school union, North Adams school district, and Hoosac valley 221 regional school district; the study will also take into consideration the consolidation of 222 services………………………………………………………….…………….$13,765,000 223 1596-2519 For a reserve to support regional school transportation 224 costs..................................................................................................................$15,000,000 225 Department of Early Education and Care 226 1596-2511 For initiatives to support workforce, affordability and quality 227 improvements in the early education and care sector; provided, that funds may be transferred at 228 the direction of the secretary of administration and finance to the Early Education and Care 229 Operational Grant Fund established in section 19 of chapter 15D of the General Laws; provided 230 further, that not less than $20,000,000 shall be expended for a reimbursement rate increase for 231 subsidized early education center-based and family child care providers in the fiscal year ending 232 on June 30, 2026; provided further, that not less than $7,500,000 shall be expended for an early 233 education and care educator loan forgiveness program established in section 19G of said chapter 12 of 26 234 15A; provided further, that not less than $8,000,000 shall be expended for grants to early 235 education and care providers for costs associated with personal childcare; provided further, that 236 notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds from said transfer may be 237 expended from said fund for one-time improvements that assist all families in connecting to child 238 care providers and other initiatives to support capacity building and workforce supports for early 239 education and care providers........................................................................................$55,500,000 240 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 241 1596-2514 For educational grants to reduce the waitlist for English for speakers of 242 other languages services; provided, that funds shall be administered by the department of 243 elementary and secondary education in coordination with the Workforce Skills Cabinet 244 established in Executive Order No. 560, dated February 26, 2015; provided further, that in 245 determining a process for awarding grants, the department shall prioritize programs focused on 246 training workers with the English language skills needed to fill in-demand jobs; and provided 247 further, that the commissioner of elementary and secondary education may transfer funds to item 248 7035-0002 and expend said funds subject to the conditions specified in said item in the general 249 appropriations act for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2026.......................................$8,500,000 250 1596-2515 For an early literacy high-dosage tutoring initiative program directed by 251 the commissioner of elementary and secondary education; provided, that said program shall 252 support Massachusetts public schools and districts to partner with providers approved by the 253 department of elementary and secondary education to address pandemic-related learning loss and 254 other identified underperformance to support accelerated literacy growth for students in 255 kindergarten through grade 3; provided further, that students characterized as below benchmark 13 of 26 256 in grade 1 shall be prioritized; provided further, that funds may support activities, including, but 257 not limited to: (i) providing early literacy tutoring services for students in kindergarten through 258 grade 3 who have not met relevant benchmarks on department of elementary and secondary 259 education-approved early literacy screening assessments; (ii) administering said screening 260 assessments for participating students and collecting and sharing pre- and post-tutoring data; (iii) 261 studying the impact of the provided tutoring; and (iv) providing in-person or virtual foundational 262 skills-focused tutoring services per department of elementary and secondary education guidance; 263 and provided further, that participating entities may include, but shall not be limited to: (a) public 264 schools; and (b) districts serving a large proportion of high-needs students………….$25,000,000 265 1596-2516 For a reserve to support reimbursements to school districts and direct 266 payments to service providers for special education instructional and transportation costs 267 pursuant to section 5A of chapter 71B of the General Laws and item 7061-0012; provided, that 268 reimbursements shall be made in the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2026 for costs incurred in the 269 fiscal year ending on June 30, 2025; provided further, that funds may be transferred to said item 270 7061-0012 and expended subject to the conditions specified in said item in the general 271 appropriations 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 273 transportation service practices provided pursuant to said section 5A of said chapter 71B, 274 including, but not limited to, procurement of said services, and to make recommendations for 275 school districts that aim to reduce costs and ensure that districts maximize purchasing power and 276 act transparently and efficiently to provide said services; provided further, that the office of the 277 inspector general shall review possible ways for districts to consolidate transportation services 278 regionally, to the extent practicable; provided further, that not later than February 2, 2026, the 14 of 26 279 office of the inspector general shall submit to the house and senate committees on ways and 280 means and the joint committee on education and publish on its website recommendations and 281 best practices: (i) for school districts to reduce costs and maximize purchasing power for 282 transportation services; (ii) to consolidate transportation services regionally, to the extent 283 practicable; and (iii) that the office deems necessary for said services; provided further, that the 284 office of the inspector general shall include in its recommendations any information on cost 285 savings for school districts by following said best practices and recommendations; and provided 286 further, that the department of elementary and secondary education shall provide any information 287 necessary for the office of the inspector general to conduct a comprehensive review under this 288 item…………………………………………………………………..........................$190,000,000 289 1596-9805 For programs to encourage graduates of the commonwealth’s public 290 institutions 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 292 pursuant 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 294 educators; provided further, that the student loan repayment assistance program shall be 295 administered by the executive office of education and that funds for the program may be 296 expended to enhance existing loan repayment assistance programs, if appropriate; provided 297 further, that the student loan repayment assistance program shall provide assistance of not more 298 than $7,500 per eligible individual; provided further, that said program shall prioritize the 299 recruitment and retention of racially, culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse educators 300 consistent with chapter 132 of the acts of 2019 to diversify the educator workforce; provided 301 further, that to be eligible for loan repayment assistance under this item, an individual shall: (a) 15 of 26 302 have completed a bachelor’s degree program at a public institution of higher education as 303 defined in section 5 of chapter 15A of the General Laws and including Quincy College, after 304 January 1, 2020; (b) have outstanding educational debt that was incurred to pay tuition, fees or 305 additional costs of attendance as calculated by the institution of higher education, including, but 306 not limited to, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, child care and personal 307 expenses, while enrolled in an undergraduate degree or post-baccalaureate program at the 308 institution; and (c) commit to and work for 4 years in a school district, as defined in section 2 of 309 chapter 70 of the General Laws, as a teacher, instructional or program paraprofessional, or in any 310 other position that requires a license or other form of certification issued by the department of 311 elementary and secondary education or other state agency; provided further, that the executive 312 office of education shall promulgate regulations for the administration and enforcement of the 313 student loan repayment assistance program which shall include repayment procedures if a 314 participating individual fails to comply with the program requirements; provided further, that if 315 the funds appropriated for the program are insufficient to cover costs of all eligible individuals, 316 priority shall be given to educators working in school districts with higher shares of students who 317 are designated as low income as defined in said section 2 of said chapter 70; provided further, 318 that not less than 45 days prior to the obligation of funds for the loan repayment assistance 319 program, the executive office of education shall submit a comprehensive program plan to the 320 executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and 321 means and the joint committee on education; and provided further, that funds from this item may 322 be expended on a public awareness campaign on the loan repayment assistance 323 program………………………………………………………………………………..$2,475,000 16 of 26 324 1596-2518 For a capital project, including development costs, administered by the 325 department of elementary and secondary education for the Holocaust Legacy Foundation, Inc. to 326 establish the Boston Holocaust Museum to provide interactive educational opportunities in the 327 commonwealth, including, but not limited to, history and social science frameworks; provided, 328 that funds may be used for: (i) exhibit buildout; (ii) accessibility; (iii) security infrastructure; (iv) 329 educational technology; and (v) curriculum………………………$5,000,000 330 TRANSPORTATION 331 Massachusetts Department of Transportation 332 1595-2508 For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation 333 Authority to replenish the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority deficiency fund; 334 provided, that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall notify the Massachusetts 335 Department of Transportation, the executive office for administration and finance, the house and 336 senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on transportation not less than 30 337 days prior to withdrawing funds from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 338 deficiency fund; and provided further, that not later than June 30, 2025, the Massachusetts Bay 339 Transportation Authority shall submit a written deficiency fund policy to the Massachusetts 340 Department of Transportation, the executive office for administration and finance, the joint 341 committee on transportation and the house and senate committees on ways and 342 means………………………………………………………………………………$300,000,000 343 1596-2505 For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund 344 established in section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws for a program to support grants for 345 workforce and training initiatives at regional transit authorities and support transit improvements 17 of 26 346 across the commonwealth; provided, that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall 347 oversee the distribution of grants under this item; and provided further, that not later than March 348 2, 2026, the department shall submit a report to the joint committee on transportation and the 349 house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the 350 grant criteria used to determine awards; (ii) a list of grant recipients, including the amounts 351 received by each recipient; and (iii) a description of the specific uses by each recipient 352 ...................................................................................................................$25,000,000 353 1596-2506 For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund 354 established in section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws for a pilot program to provide grants 355 to municipalities for repair, maintenance and improvements to unpaved roads; provided, that the 356 Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall oversee the distribution of grants under this 357 item; provided further, that said grant funds shall only be available to municipalities for repair, 358 maintenance and improvements to dirt or gravel roads that are open to the public and maintained 359 by the municipality; provided further, that grant funds shall be used by municipalities for: (i) 360 reconstruction, surface grading, crown and shoulder restoration and removal of wash boarding 361 and potholes; (ii) guardrail and signage repair or replacement; (iii) drainage work, including 362 swales; and (iv) the purchase or lease of maintenance equipment, including, but not limited to, 363 graders, rollers and loaders; provided further, that municipalities shall not use grant funds for: (a) 364 construction of new roadways; (b) conversion of unpaved roads to paved roads; (c) landscaping 365 or 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 367 Department of Transportation shall submit a report on grant funds from this item to the house 368 and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on transportation that shall 18 of 26 369 include, but shall not be limited to: (A) the methodology used to distribute grant funds; (B) a list 370 of all municipalities that received grant funds; and (C) the amount of grant funds awarded to 371 each municipality…………………………………………………………………...…$10,000,000 372 1596-2507 For 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 374 the city of Medford; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of 375 Sudbury for the operation of the GoSudbury program to provide subsidized rideshare and taxi 376 transportation; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for a design, 377 feasibility and traffic study for a town square in the town of Paxton; provided further, that not 378 less than $75,000 shall be expended for the city of Methuen to purchase and install solar- 379 powered radar speed limit signs in high-risk areas throughout the city; provided further, that not 380 less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for 381 sound mitigation at the South-Side Maintenance Facility in the Readville section of the city of 382 Boston; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for the town of Lexington 383 to support increased transportation expenses due to 250th anniversary celebrations; provided 384 further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for culvert upgrades and other rural 385 infrastructure improvements in the town of Bolton; provided further, that not less than $75,000 386 shall be expended for the reconstruction of a bridge connecting Brandon road in the town of 387 Dudley to Hill street in the town of Webster; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall 388 be expended for the redesign, installation of new steps, added lights and installation of an 389 emergency safety alert system for the bridge on Norfolk street in the city of Boston between the 390 intersections of Corbet street and Willowwood street; provided further, that not less than $50,000 391 shall be expended for the preservation and repair of the Hartwell street bridge in the town of 19 of 26 392 West Boylston; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for road repair 393 projects in the town of Granby; provided further, that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation 394 Authority shall provide RIDE services to the town of North Reading; provided further, that not 395 less than $300,000 shall be expended to the city of Lawrence for the construction and 396 rehabilitation of the Joseph W. Casey bridge, the Mario Lucchesi Memorial bridge, the Daisy 397 street bridge and the Majowics bridge; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be 398 expended to supplement school district transportation services for the town of West Springfield; 399 provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for sidewalks, curbing, crossings, 400 ramps and pedestrian accessibility improvements in the city of Framingham; provided further, 401 that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for maintenance vehicle upgrades in the city of 402 Greenfield; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for pedestrian safety 403 improvements in the town of Arlington; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be 404 expended to the town of Hamilton for a missing sidewalk project along Highland street; provided 405 further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for capital improvements and planning for 406 transportation 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 408 communities; provided further, that not less than $60,000 shall be expended for the Ludlow 409 council on aging for senior transportation costs and equipment; provided further, that not less 410 than $50,000 shall be expended for culvert replacements in the town of Berkley; provided 411 further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Brookline for bicycle share 412 stations, bicycles and installation costs; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be 413 expended to the Revere Beach Partnership, Inc. for transportation mitigation costs associated 414 with the 2025 International Sand Sculpting Festival in the city of Revere; provided further, that 20 of 26 415 not less than $25,000,000 shall be expended to the city of Quincy for a downtown parking garage 416 to help facilitate patient access to the planned development of a new medical facility; provided 417 further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of Fitchburg for road surface 418 and pedestrian way repair projects for route 12; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall 419 be expended for drainage improvements along Pauline street in the city of Winthrop; provided 420 further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Belmont for sidewalk 421 pedestrian safety improvements; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended 422 to the town of Stoneham for school transportation costs pursuant to section 7A of chapter 71 of 423 the General Laws; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended to the town of 424 Winchester for drainage improvements; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be 425 expended to the city of Marlborough to continue operation of the local commuter shuttle 426 connecting residents from area commuter rail stations to Marlborough employers and downtown 427 Marlborough businesses; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the 428 town of Bedford for the installation of a crosswalk in the Crosby drive area; provided further, 429 that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the Wakefield police department for a vehicular 430 traffic and speed monitoring subscription service; provided further, that not less than $300,000 431 shall be expended to the city of Worcester for the Chandler street renovation project; and 432 provided further, that not less than $600,000 shall be expended to the town of Wellesley for a 433 traffic study and redesign of the Weston road corridor in the town of Wellesley, including the 434 Linden street and Central street bottleneck and the route 9 interchange: and provided further, that 435 not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Wakefield for roadway 436 improvements……………………………………………………………………...$28,930,000 21 of 26 437 1596-2509 For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation 438 Authority under clause (1) of subsection (d) of section 2ZZZ of chapter 29 of the General Laws 439 for direct costs and lost revenues attributable to initiatives undertaken by the Massachusetts Bay 440 Transportation Authority to mitigate traffic impacts related to the closure of the Sumner Tunnel 441 during fiscal years 2024 and 2025; provided, that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation 442 Authority shall submit a report to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the joint 443 committee on transportation and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing 444 the initiatives undertaken by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to mitigate traffic 445 impacts 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 448 following section:- 449 Section 22. (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall, unless the context 450 clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings: 451 “Imagination Library of Massachusetts program”, a comprehensive statewide initiative to 452 encourage 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 454 affiliate that agrees to fund up to 50 per cent of the costs of the Imagination Library of 455 Massachusetts program. 456 (b) Subject to appropriation, the department shall establish the Imagination Library of 457 Massachusetts program to promote the development of a comprehensive statewide initiative to 458 encourage preschool age children to develop a love of reading and learning. The department 22 of 26 459 shall develop, implement and promote a comprehensive statewide initiative to encourage 460 children 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 462 provide, through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, 1 age-appropriate book to each registered 463 child 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 465 contribute funds to qualified local entities participating in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. 466 (d) The department shall administer the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program, 467 including, 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 471 commonwealth; 472 (iv) implementing a statewide marketing and communications campaign, including, but 473 not limited to, an ongoing public awareness campaign to: 474 (A) make donors aware of the opportunity to donate to the Imagination Library of 475 Massachusetts program; and 476 (B) make the public aware of the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program and 477 how to register eligible children; and 23 of 26 478 (v) coordinating the local match requirement for approved qualified local entities as well 479 as 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 481 personally identifiable information is handled in accordance with all applicable state and federal 482 laws and regulations. 483 (f) Annually, not later than March 15, the department shall submit a report to the clerks of 484 the house of representatives and senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the 485 chairs of the joint committee on education, the executive office for administration and finance 486 and the executive office of education on the activities of the program, including, but not limited 487 to: (i) the total number of children enrolled, delineated by municipality; (ii) the number of books 488 sent to enrolled children, delineated by municipality; (iii) the number of books returned as 489 undeliverable, delineated by municipality; (iv) any activity from the Imagination Library of 490 Massachusetts Fund, established in section 2KKKKKK of chapter 29, including, but not limited 491 to, deposits and expenditures; (v) the number of qualified local entities across the 492 commonwealth, their locations, local match amount contributed and other local partners, if any; 493 and (vi) any other information the department deems relevant. 494 (g) The department may promulgate regulations, pursuant to chapter 30A, for the 495 implementation of the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program. 496 SECTION 2C. Chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after 497 section 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 499 commonwealth a separate, non-budgeted special revenue fund known as the Imagination Library 500 of 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 502 authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (ii) funds 503 from public and private sources such as gifts, grants and donations; and (iii) interest earned on 504 money in the fund. Amounts credited to the fund shall be expended without further 505 appropriation. No expenditure made from the fund shall cause the fund to be in deficit at any 506 point. Any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General 507 Fund. 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 509 home, to each child registered in the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program, established 510 pursuant to section 22 of chapter 15D, from birth to their fifth birthday, inclusive, at no cost to 511 families or guardians, in coordination with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. 512 SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, income surtax 513 revenue, as defined in section 2BBBBBB of chapter 29 of the General Laws, collected in the 514 fiscal year ending on June 30, 2024 but certified after July 20, 2024, shall be transferred to the 515 Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital Fund established in section 2DDDDDD of 516 said chapter 29 from the Student Opportunity Act Investment Fund established in section 35RRR 517 of 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 519 out item 1596-2427 and inserting in place thereof the following item:- 25 of 26 520 1596-2427 For a transfer to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 521 workforce and safety reserve established in line item 1599-1971 of section 2 of chapter 126 of 522 the acts of 2022, for projects to address ongoing safety concerns at the Massachusetts Bay 523 Transportation Authority related to the interim and final findings of the Federal Transit 524 Administration’s Safety Management Inspection initiated in April 2022; provided, that the 525 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall work in consultation with the Massachusetts 526 Department of Transportation and the department of public utilities in the planning and 527 implementation of said projects funded through this item; provided further, that funds may be 528 expended for hiring and retention related to said projects; provided further, that funds may be 529 expended to support ongoing costs associated with said projects which shall include preventative 530 maintenance, safety, service delivery and capital activities necessary to remain in compliance 531 with said findings of said inspection; provided further, that the Massachusetts Department of 532 Transportation shall issue monthly reports to the joint committee on transportation and the house 533 and senate committees on ways and means detailing the status of the Massachusetts Bay 534 Transportation Authority’s progress toward responding to each finding and required action as 535 issued by the Federal Transit Administration; and provided further, that said reports shall be 536 delineated by special directive and shall include, but shall not be limited to: (i) the funds 537 expended from this item and the related purpose for said spending; (ii) the completion date of 538 each executed required action; and (iii) the estimated completion date of each pending required 539 action..............................................................................................................................$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, 542 is 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 545 nor 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 547 opposite sex participated. The Superior Court shall have available all remedies at law or in 548 equity. A party who brings an action to enforce this section and prevails shall be entitled to his or 549 her costs and attorney’s fees. 550 Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the provisions of this section 551 shall not take effect until such time as: (i) the department of elementary and secondary education 552 has analyzed the policy for student athletes and their families in the commonwealth, including, 553 but not limited to, a review of: any safeguards that may alleviate safety concerns related to 554 physical health, and the impacts on the education and extracurricular activities of elementary and 555 secondary students at public schools in the commonwealth, including, but not limited to, 556 behavioral and physical health impacts related to this section, anticipated changes to the well- 557 being of said students and the current practice of other states; (ii) the department has furnished a 558 report of the analysis pursuant to clause (i); and (iii) legislation necessary to carry out any 559 recommendations has been filed and enacted pursuant to Part 2, Chap. 1, Sec. 1, Art. II of the 560 Constitution.