HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2437        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3983

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Kip A. Diggs

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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 relative to establishing a workforce training trust fund for emerging technologies.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2437        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3983

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to establishing a workforce training trust fund for emerging technologies.

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 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting, after section 2JJJJJJ, the following section:-

Section 2KKKKKK. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund known as the Emerging Technologies Workforce Training Trust Fund, hereinafter referred to as the fund. The fund shall be administered by the department of career services established in section 1 of chapter 23H in collaboration with the Commonwealth Corporation Foundation.

(b) The fund shall be credited with: (i) revenue from appropriations or other money authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (ii) interest earned on money in the fund; (iii) contributions from private sector entities, including technology firms, foundations and other organizations; and (iv) federal grants and other gifts, grants and donations for the establishment and expansion of workforce training programs, including programs in blockchain, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and renewable energy technologies. Amounts credited to the fund shall not be subject to further appropriation and any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund.

(c) The Commonwealth Corporation Foundation, in consultation with the department of career services, shall make expenditures from the fund for the following purposes:

(i) providing grants to institutions of higher education, vocational technical schools and workforce training organizations for the development and implementation of training programs in blockchain, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and renewable energy technologies;

(ii) sponsoring scholarships, paid internships and award programs to support individuals pursuing careers in blockchain, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and renewable energy technologies with a focus on individuals from underrepresented populations;

(iii) partnering with private companies to create work-based learning opportunities, including apprenticeships and on-the-job training;

(iv) funding public awareness campaigns to promote careers in emerging technologies and available training opportunities;

(v) developing regional workforce strategies in collaboration with regional employment boards to address specific labor market needs; and

(vi) partnering with technology firms in the commonwealth to reduce state funding burdens and demonstrate industry buy-in.

(d) The Commonwealth Corporation Foundation shall prepare an annual report on the activity of the fund that shall include: (i) the number and type of grants awarded; (ii) the number of participants trained and employed as a result of the fund’s programs; (iii) the amount of private sector contributions leveraged; and (iv) any recommendations for improvements to the fund’s programs. The annual report shall be submitted, not later than December 31, to the: chairs

of the joint committee on advanced information technology, the internet and cybersecurity; chairs of the joint committee on labor and workforce development; house and senate committees on ways and means; and clerks of the house of representatives and senate

(e) The annual report shall be published on the Commonwealth Corporation Foundation’s website and distributed to stakeholders.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2026.