HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3402        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

James C. Arena-DeRosa

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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 providing for the study and investigation relative to expanding the in-state higher education tuition and fee waiver program.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3402        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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Resolve providing for the study and investigation relative to expanding the in-state higher education tuition and fee waiver program.

Resolved, that a special commission is hereby established for the purposes of making an investigation and study relative to expanding the eligibility of the tuition and fee waiver program established in section 19 of chapter 15A of the General Laws to clients of state programs inclusive but not limited to the departments comprised of the members of the special commission.

The Commission shall consist of the following members or their designees:

the Chair of the Board of Higher Education, who will serve as chair;

the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services;

the Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities;

the Commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services;

the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health;

the Commissioner of the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing;

the Commissioner Massachusetts Commission for the Blind;

the Commissioner of the Department of Transitional Assistance;

the Commissioner of MassAbility.

The Commission shall: (i) identify programs with clients inclusive but not limited to the departments of which the special commission is comprised who should be made eligible for the tuition and fee waiver program established in section 19 of chapter 15A of the General Laws; (ii) compile data concerning the number and cost of new clients identified by the commission to become eligible for the tuition and fee waiver and; (iii) identify possible sources of funding for the expanded tuition and fee waiver program.

All appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of this resolve.

The Commission shall submit its findings and recommendations for legislation to the Clerks of the Senate and the House of Representatives no later than January 1st, 2027.