SENATE DOCKET, NO. 218        FILED ON: 1/12/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1287

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Julian Cyr

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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 providing for pre-service training for members of local boards and commissions.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 218        FILED ON: 1/12/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1287

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1327 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act providing for pre-service training for members of local boards and commissions.

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. Chapter 17 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following new section:-

7B. The department shall establish, conduct and maintain an annual program of education and training for all new members of local boards of health; provided, however, that the department shall consult with the Massachusetts Municipal Association in the development of said program; provided, further, that the department may contract with the Massachusetts Association of Boards of Health to provide such education and training. All education and training courses shall be free of charge to board members and shall be offered in various locations throughout the commonwealth and by online only methods.

SECTION 2. Chapter 21A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section fifteen the following new section:-

15A. The department of environmental protection shall establish, conduct and maintain an annual program of education and training for all new members of local conservation commissions; provided, however, that the department shall consult with the Massachusetts Municipal Association in the development of said program; provided, further, that the department may contract with the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions to provide such education and training. All education and training courses shall be free of charge to commission members and shall be offered in various locations throughout the commonwealth and by online only methods.

SECTION 3. Section 3 of Chapter 23B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following new subsection:-

(w) establish, conduct and maintain an annual program of education and training for all new members of local planning boards and zoning boards of appeals; provided, however that the department shall consult with the Massachusetts Municipal Association regarding in development of said program; provided, further, the department may contract with the Massachusetts Citizen Planning Training Collaborative at the University of Massachusetts to provide such education and training. All education and training courses shall be free of charge to board members and shall be offered in various locations throughout the commonwealth and by online only methods.

SECTION 4. Section 8C of Chapter 40 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following new paragraph:-

The members of the commission shall complete such training programs conducted or sponsored by the department of environmental protection under the provisions of Section 15A of Chapter 21A prior to their service on the commission.

SECTION 5. Section 12 of Chapter 40A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following new paragraph:-

The members of the board shall complete such training programs conducted or sponsored by the department of housing and community development under the provisions of Section 3 of Chapter 23B prior to their service on the board.

SECTION 6. Section 81A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following new paragraph:-

The members of the board shall complete such training programs conducted or sponsored by the department of housing and community development under the provisions of Section 3 of Chapter 23B prior to their service on the board.

SECTION 7. Section 26 of Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the fifth sentence the following new sentence:- The members of the board shall complete such training programs conducted or sponsored by the department of public health under the provisions of Section 7B of Chapter 17 prior to their service on the board.