HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4968        FILED ON: 7/28/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4544

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Michael P. Kushmerek and John J. Cronin

_________________

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 Hispanic-serving institutions.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4968        FILED ON: 7/28/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4544

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

_______________

An Act relative to Hispanic-serving institutions.

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. Section 10 of chapter 15A of General Laws is hereby further amended by inserting the following paragraph:-

HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTION.—The term ‘‘Hispanic-serving institution’’ means an institution of higher education that—

(a) is accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education; and

(b) has an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students that is at least 25 percent Hispanic students at the end of the award year immediately preceding the date of application; and

(c) offers at least two-year academic programs that lead to a degree; and

(d) has high enrollment of students in need

SECTION 2. Chapter 15A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 47 a new section:-

Section 48. Subject to appropriation by the legislature, in such instances where said funding has been granted, amounts credited to the fund may be expended by the commissioner for purposes related to Hispanic-serving institutions.

(a) TYPES OF ACTIVITIES AUTHORIZED.—Grants awarded under this title shall be used by Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education to assist the institutions to plan, develop, undertake, and carry out programs to improve and expand the institutions’ capacity to serve Hispanic students and other low-income students.

(b) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Grants awarded under this section shall be used for one or more of the following activities:

(1) Purchase, rental, or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment for educational purposes, including instructional and research purposes.

(2) Construction, maintenance, renovation, and improvement in classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and other instructional facilities.

(3) Support of faculty exchanges, faculty development, curriculum development, academic instruction, and faculty fellowships to assist in attaining advanced degrees in the fellow’s field of instruction.

(4) Purchase of library books, periodicals, and other educational materials, including telecommunications program material.

(5) Tutoring, counseling, and student service programs designed to improve academic success, including innovative and customized instruction courses (which may include remedial education and English language instruction) designed to help retain students and move the students rapidly into core courses and through program completion.

(6) Articulation agreements and student support programs designed to facilitate the transfer from two-year to four-year institutions.

(7) Funds management, administrative management, and acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening funds management.

(8) Joint use of facilities, such as laboratories and libraries.

(9) Establishing or improving a development office to strengthen or improve contributions from alumni and the private sector.

(10) Establishing or improving an endowment fund.

(11) Creating or improving facilities for Internet or other Distance education technologies, including purchase or rental of telecommunications technology equipment or services.

(12) Establishing or enhancing a program of teacher education designed to qualify students to teach in public elementary schools and secondary schools.

(13) Establishing community outreach programs that will encourage elementary school and secondary school students to develop the academic skills and the interest to pursue postsecondary education.

(14) Expanding the number of Hispanic and other underrepresented graduate and professional students that can be served by the institution by expanding courses and institutional resources.

(15) Providing education, counseling services, or financial information designed to improve the financial literacy and economic literacy of students or the students’ families, especially with regard to student indebtedness and student assistance programs under title IV.