Whereas, Governor Deval Patrick has appointed a new Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center; and

Whereas, the life sciences is one of the fastest growing and stable industries in the Commonwealth; and

Whereas, the life sciences has made a positive impact on our cities and towns, from increasing tax revenue to reducing traffic generation to establishing partnerships with our city’s schools; and

Whereas, this growing industry relies on well-trained and skilled workers; and

Whereas, our community college system is ideally suited to create a life sciences preparatory curriculum for students seeing to retrain themselves and take advantage of opportunities in the life sciences sector;

Therefore, be it enacted, as follows:

SECTION 1.

Chapter 15A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 15F the following section:-

Section 15G.  Life Sciences Training Center.

Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, the board of higher education shall, within nine months of the effective date of this act, designate a community college in the Commonwealth as a Life Sciences Training Center.  The board, in consultation with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, established by section 3 of chapter 23I of the General Laws, shall promulgate regulations and other written guidance as needed to designate, develop, and administer the Center and its curriculum.  The board shall establish a commission comprised of government and education officials and leaders in the life sciences, biotechnology and medical manufacturing industries to help develop and implement the curriculum offered at the Center and other institutions of higher learning in the Commonwealth.