Amendment #819 to H3400

STEM to STEAM

Representatives Atkins of Concord, Khan of Newton and Peake of Provincetown move to amend the bill by adding the following section:

"SECTION XXXX.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a study commission to look at adding arts to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) related programs and changing STEM to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics).  The commission shall consist of 9 members: 3 members appointed by the governor, provided that 1 shall be an individual working as an artist and 1 shall be affiliated with a regional arts council; secretary of education or designee; 2 persons appointed by the president of the senate; 2 persons appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and the executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council or her designee.

Said commission shall study and report on any necessary policy initiatives, regulatory or statutory changes needed to: (a) include the arts in STEM related programs; and (b) research the feasibility of adding the arts in STEM related programs; (c) investigate the barriers to adding arts (A) to STEM; and (d) develop guidelines to implementing fair and adequate appropriations for the arts in Massachusetts.  The commission shall identify funding sources available to fairly fund arts in STEM related programs.

The commission shall submit its findings and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means, and the joint committee on tourism, arts and cultural development not later than January 1, 2014."