HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4643

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, April 11, 2022.

The committee on Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 614) of James K. Hawkins, Danillo A. Sena and others relative to implementing an elementary and secondary interdisciplinary climate education curriculum in the public schools, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No. 4643) ought to pass.

For the committee,

ALICE HANLON PEISCH.

        FILED ON: 2/28/2022

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4643

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act implementing an elementary and secondary interdisciplinary climate education curriculum in the Commonwealth.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Said chapter 69 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 1T the following section:-

Section 1U.  (a) Environmental science and environmental protection standards established pursuant to section 1D shall promote an understanding of climate change including, but not limited to: (i) the human impact on the carbon cycle; (ii) the effect of climate change on life that exists on Earth; (iii) the effects of the environment on health, economics, and agricultural systems; (iv) the impact of climate change on the water cycle; and (v) the impact of the environment on natural disasters and weather.

(b)  A school district, charter school, approved private day or residential school or collaborative school may incorporate the climate change standards established pursuant to section 1D and subsection (a) into existing curriculum including, but not limited to, science, history and social sciences, technology or business.

(c)  The department may make resources available to school districts, charter schools, approved private day or residential schools, and collaborative schools to assist in the selection of materials and curriculum on climate change. The department may identify and offer information on resources for professional development activities and instruction on climate change. The department may consult with private or non-profit experts in the field of environment or related disciplines and government stakeholders to identify such resources.

(d)  The department may apply for federal, state or other funding.