Amendment ID: S2025-55-R1

Redraft Amendment 55

Taunton Life Science Center Board

Mr. Pacheco moves to amend the bill by inserting the following new sections:-

SECTION 1. Section 9 of chapter 419 of the acts of 2008 is hereby amended by striking out subsection (a), as amended by section 81 of chapter 189 of the acts of 2010, and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-

SECTION 9. (a) There shall be an education and training collaborative to develop, in conjunction with the Taunton Development Corporation, the regional education, training and skills alliance center. The education collaborative shall be managed by a board of directors which shall consist of the following 13 members: the presidents of Bridgewater State University, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Massasoit Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Bristol Community College, Wheaton College, the Massachusetts Federation of Teachers, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, the Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. or their designees; the chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth; the commissioner of developmental services or a designee; the executive director of the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District or a designee.  The board may, by majority vote, increase its membership to include the presidents of other institutions of higher education , the superintendents of comprehensive high schools and regional vocational-technical schools housing their main campuses in southeastern Massachusetts or their designees; and the board may, by majority vote, increase its membership to include private sector industry partners, provided however that the number of private sector industry board members shall not represent more than forty-nine percent of the board.   The board, by majority vote, may form an advisory committee.   Members of the board may vote according to the terms of the education collaborative agreement but the land and property management of the center shall be the responsibility of the Taunton Development Corporation.

SECTION 2. Said section 9 of said chapter 419 is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (i) and inserting in place the following new subsection (i) :-

(i) The education collaborative shall be considered a public entity and may sue and be sued to the same extent as a city, town or regional school district. The education collaborative, acting through its board of directors, may enter into contracts for the purchase of supplies, materials and services, including but not limited to services of a non-profit to assist with the powers and duties of the board as prescribed in the written agreement under subsection (b), and for the purchase or leasing of land, buildings and equipment as considered necessary by the board of directors.  For the purposes of this act, members of the non-profit, whether created or contracted with as prescribed in the written agreement under subsection (b) shall not be considered state employees.