SENATE DOCKET, NO. 498        FILED ON: 1/16/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 260

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Julian Cyr

_________________

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 implementing elementary and secondary interdisciplinary climate justice education across the Commonwealth.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Julian Cyr

Cape and Islands

 

Joanne M. Comerford

Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester

2/22/2023

Michael J. Barrett

Third Middlesex

2/22/2023

Sal N. DiDomenico

Middlesex and Suffolk

3/14/2023

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

3/14/2023

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

20th Middlesex

3/30/2023

Barry R. Finegold

Second Essex and Middlesex

8/21/2023


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 498        FILED ON: 1/16/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 260

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 260) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to implement elementary and secondary interdisciplinary climate justice education across the Commonwealth.  Education.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 311 OF 2021-2022.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act implementing elementary and secondary interdisciplinary climate justice education across 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. Chapter 69 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 1T the following new 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.