SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1342        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 358

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Walter F. Timilty

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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 resolve:

Resolve establishing a joint task force to study the utilization of Department of Conservation and Recreation sites for educational programming for safe outdoor learning.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1342        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 358

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 394 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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Resolve establishing a joint task force to study the utilization of Department of Conservation and Recreation sites for educational programming for safe outdoor learning.

Resolved, That the department of elementary and secondary education, in collaboration with the department of conservation and recreation, shall convene a task force to review the potential use of department of conservation and recreation sites for educational programming to allow for safe outdoor learning by elementary and secondary students in the Commonwealth.

The task force shall consist of: the commissioner of elementary and secondary education or a designee who shall serve as chair; the secretary of education or a designee; the commissioner of department of conservation and recreation or a designee; the secretary of energy and environmental affairs or a designee; an employee of the department of elementary and secondary education who has expertise in accessibility for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities; a representative of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Inc.; a representative of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; a current actively working elementary or secondary teacher appointed by the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts; a current actively working elementary or secondary teacher appointed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association; and a representative of the Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools.

The task force shall: (i) conduct a comprehensive study of how to utilize existing department of conservation and recreation sites to develop a curriculum for students of the Commonwealth, including a review of existing department of elementary and secondary recommended curriculum related to outdoor learning; (ii) determine potential topics for curriculum, including but not limited to, science, humanities, and recreation; (iii) determine the number of districts in the commonwealth near department of conservation and recreation sites; (iii) identify any potential accessibility issues for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities in relation to outdoor learning at department of conservation and recreation sites; (iv) identify any potential costs associated with establishing outdoor learning curriculum to be taught at department of conservation and recreation sites; and (iii) identify resources to assist districts in implementing outdoor learning curriculum.

The task force shall file a report containing its findings and recommendations, including legislation necessary to carry out its recommendations, with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives by December 31, 2023.