SENATE. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2400

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

SECTION 1. To provide for the operations of the several departments, boards, commissions and institutions of the commonwealth and other services of the commonwealth and for certain permanent improvements and to meet certain requirements of law, the sums set forth in this act, for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified, are hereby appropriated from the General Fund unless specifically designated otherwise, subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds and the approval thereof for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. All sums appropriated under this act, including supplemental and deficiency budgets, shall be expended in a manner reflecting and encouraging a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for members of minority groups, women and persons with a disability. All officials and employees of an agency, board, department, commission or division receiving funds under this act shall take affirmative steps to ensure equality of opportunity in the internal affairs of state government and in their relations with the public, including those persons and organizations doing business with the commonwealth. Each agency, board, department, commission and division of the commonwealth, in spending appropriated sums and discharging its statutory responsibilities, shall adopt measures to ensure equal opportunity in the areas of hiring, promotion, demotion or transfer, recruitment, layoff or termination, rates of compensation, in-service or apprenticeship training programs and all other terms and conditions of employment.

SECTION 1A. In accordance with Articles LXIII and CVII of the Articles of Amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth and section 6D of chapter 29 of the General Laws, it is hereby declared that the amounts of revenue set forth in this section, by source, for the respective funds of the commonwealth for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 are necessary and sufficient to provide the means to defray the appropriations and expenditures from such funds for fiscal year 2024 as set forth and authorized in this act. The comptroller shall keep a distinct account of actual receipts from each such source by each such fund to furnish the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means with quarterly statements comparing those receipts with the projected receipts set forth in this section and shall include a full statement comparing the actual and projected receipts in the annual report for fiscal year 2024 pursuant to section 12 of chapter 7A of the General Laws. The quarterly and annual reports shall also include detailed statements of any other sources of revenue for the budgeted funds in addition to those specified in this section.

SECTION 1B. The comptroller shall keep a distinct account of actual receipts of non-tax revenues by each department, board, commission or institution to furnish the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means with quarterly statements comparing those receipts with projected receipts set forth in this section and to include a full statement comparing those receipts with projected receipts in the annual report for the fiscal year pursuant to section 12 of chapter 7A of the General Laws. The quarterly and annual reports shall also include detailed statements of any other sources of revenue for the budgeted funds in addition to those sources specified in this section.

SECTION 2.

JUDICIARY.

Supreme Judicial Court.

0320-0003For the operation of the supreme judicial court, including the salaries of the chief justice and the 6 associate justices              $11,264,575

0320-0010For the operation of the clerk’s office of the supreme judicial court for Suffolk county              $2,320,382

0321-0001For the operation of the commission on judicial conduct              $1,135,462

0321-0100For the services of the board of bar examiners              $2,204,192

0321-1500For the operation of the committee for public counsel services under chapter 211D of the General Laws; provided, that the committee shall maintain a system in which not less than 20 per cent of indigent clients shall be represented by public defenders; provided further, that to the extent feasible, the committee shall assign public defenders to district and superior courts; provided further, that not later than December 1, 2023, the committee shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to, the expected surplus or deficiency of items 0321-1500, 0321-1510 and 0321-1520 for fiscal year 2024; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the committee shall submit an annual report to the house and senate committees on ways and means which shall be compared with data from the current period to the previous 2 fiscal years; and provided further, that the report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the number of cases handled by the committee in each reporting period, delineated by public defender and private bar advocate; (ii) the average number of hours spent per case by public defenders; (iii) the number of public defenders currently employed by the committee and the total number employed by the committee at the end of each fiscal year, delineated by division; (iv) the number of public defender vacancies to be filled; (v) the average cost for public defender services rendered per case in the prior fiscal year; (vi) the number of cases assigned to private bar advocates; (vii) the average number of hours billed by private bar advocates; (viii) the average cost for private bar advocate services rendered per case in the prior fiscal year; (ix) the billable hours of private counsel, delineated by travel time and time spent in court, including wait time and trial preparation time, including interview time, investigating time and research time; (x) any changes to the private bar billing system and any billing improvements that have been made; (xi) the total number of support staff, investigators, attorneys in charge and management personnel currently employed by the committee and the total number employed by the committee at the end of each fiscal year for the previous 2 fiscal years; and (xii) a summary of all spending for psychologists, psychiatrists and investigators, including the total number of hours billed, the number of unique vendors and the average number of hours billed              $85,969,119

0321-1510For compensation paid to private counsel assigned to criminal and civil cases under subsection (b) of section 6 of chapter 211D of the General Laws, under section 11 of said chapter 211D; provided, that not more than $2,000,000 from this item shall be expended for services rendered prior to fiscal year 2024              $214,032,575

0321-1520For fees and costs as defined in section 27A of chapter 261 of the General Laws, as ordered by a justice of the appeals court or a justice of a department of the trial court on behalf of persons who are indigent as defined in said section 27A of said chapter 261; provided, that not more than $1,000,000 from this item shall be expended for services rendered prior to fiscal year 2024              $30,165,014

Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation.

0321-1600For the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation to provide legal representation for indigent or otherwise disadvantaged residents of the commonwealth; provided, that not later than February 1, 2024, the corporation shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means using the most recent United States Census Bureau population data available that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the number of persons assisted by the programs funded by the corporation in the prior fiscal year; (ii) any proposed expansion of legal services, delineated by type of service, target population and cost; and (iii) the total number of indigent or otherwise disadvantaged residents who received services from the corporation, delineated by type of case and geographic location; provided further, that the corporation may contract with any organization to provide representation; and provided further, that notwithstanding the first paragraph of section 9 of chapter 221A of the General Laws, funds shall be expended for the Disability Benefits Project, the Medicare Advocacy Project and the Domestic Violence Legal Assistance Project              $49,000,000

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee.

0321-2000For the operation of the mental health legal advisors committee and for certain programs for the indigent mentally ill established in section 34E of chapter 221 of the General Laws; provided, that funds shall be expended for the establishment of a satellite office in the western region of the commonwealth              $3,070,384

Prisoners’ Legal Services.

0321-2100For the expenses of Prisoners’ Legal Services              $2,981,334

New England Innocence Project.

0321-2200For the expenses of the New England Innocence Project, Inc. to support exonerees              $250,000

Social Law Library.

0321-2205For the expenses of the social law library located in Suffolk county              $2,960,287

Appeals Court.

0322-0100For the appeals court, including the salaries, traveling allowances and expenses of the chief justice, recall justices and associate justices              $15,406,986

Trial Court.

0330-0101For the salaries of the justices of the 7 departments of the trial court              $87,148,436

0330-0300For the central administration of the trial court, including costs associated with trial court non-employee services, dental and vision health plan agreements for employees who are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, jury expenses, law libraries, statewide telecommunications, private and municipal court rentals and leases, operation of courthouse facilities, rental of county court facilities, witness fees, printing expenses, equipment maintenance and repairs, the court interpreter program, insurance and chargeback costs, the Massachusetts sentencing commission, court security and judicial training; provided, that 50 per cent of all fees payable under rules 15(d) and 30(c)(8) of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure shall be paid from this item; provided further, that funds may be expended for training on domestic violence issues, the maintenance of a domestic violence registry, evaluations of batterers’ intervention programs and the risk assessment tool for domestic violence offenders under chapter 260 of the acts of 2014; provided further, that not less than $378,000 shall be expended for the Race and Bias Initiative to expand the trial court’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Experience and to provide additional diversity training for all court employees; provided further, that in planning and implementing the policies of the Race and Bias Initiative, the trial court’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Experience shall solicit feedback from community stakeholders in order to identify any structural, organizational or cultural barriers to ensure equity in the justice system for people of racial, linguistic, cultural or sexual minorities and shall recommend methods to remove those barriers to guarantee the provision of competent representation and inclusive practices in each courtroom; provided further, that funds shall be expended for juvenile court investigators rates at an amount that at least maintains the rates established in fiscal year 2023; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to ensure the maintenance of an interactive text response system to remind litigants, including all criminal defendants in the district, Boston municipal and superior courts, of their court dates; provided further, that not less than $1,130,000 shall be expended to hire mental health clinicians; provided further, that said mental health clinicians shall be distributed to court facilities in a geographically equitable manner; provided further, that funds may be expended to provide information and assistance to self-represented litigants; provided further, that the trial court shall submit quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means on revenues collected by the trial court; provided further, that each report shall provide for the previous quarter for each court division and courthouse: (i) the total amount ordered in fees and fines; (ii) the total amount dismissed in fees and fines; (iii) the total amount paid in fees and fines; and (iv) the total amount outstanding in fees and fines; provided further, that notwithstanding section 9A of chapter 30 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the rights afforded to a veteran under said section 9A of said chapter 30, shall also be afforded to any such veteran who holds a trial court office or position in the service of the commonwealth not classified under chapter 31 of the General Laws, other than an elective office, an appointive office for a fixed term or an office or position under section 7 of said chapter 30 and who has: (a) held the office or position for not less than 1 year; and (b) completed 30 years of total creditable service to the commonwealth as defined in chapter 32 of the General Laws; provided further, that not less than 15 days before the transfer of funds between items within the trial court, the court administrator shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to, the: (1) amount of funds transferred from any item of appropriation; (2) item number of the appropriation making the transfer; (3) item number of the appropriation receiving the transfer; and (4) reason for the transfer; and provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for the community outreach clinics and pro bono activities of the University of Massachusetts School of Law to provide direct legal assistance in the area of tenants' rights              $309,069,992

0330-0344For the administration and transportation costs associated with a veterans court program              $243,314

0330-0410For the implementation of alternative dispute resolution programming; provided, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for online dispute resolution              .$1,332,273

0330-0441For permanency mediation services in the probate and juvenile courts              $500,000

0330-0500For the use of video teleconferencing for court appearances by persons in the custody of the houses of correction              $247,500

0330-0599For a probation program that administers high-intensity supervision to promote successful probation outcomes and reduce recidivism; provided, that the office of the commissioner of probation may partner with the same external research organization in fiscal year 2024 as selected in fiscal year 2023 to: (i) monitor program fidelity and design; (ii) implement the model; and (iii) collect and analyze the outcome evaluation; and provided further, that not later than March 15, 2024, the office of the commissioner of probation shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to, any relevant data on participants and outcomes              $1,315,039

0330-0601For the operation of the specialty courts; provided, that no funds shall be transferred from this item to any other item in the trial court; and provided further, that not later than April 1, 2024, the trial court shall, in coordination with partner departments and agencies, submit reports on interdepartmental service agreements made with the partner departments and agencies to the court administrator and the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the amount of funds transferred to each specific agency or department for use in the specialty courts; (ii) the specific intent of the transfer in relation to specialty court operations; (iii) any additional services implemented by way of the transfer; and (iv) the amount of unspent funds from the transfer at the time of reporting              .$7,455,505

0330-0612For the administration of the Massachusetts Community Justice Project to serve individuals with mental health and substance use disorders who are involved in the criminal justice system; provided, that the trial court shall continue to fund a project coordinator to oversee coordination and administration and to provide financial oversight of the sequential intercept model; and provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the project coordinator shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to, the: (i) design of the sequential intercept model mappings; (ii) locations of workshops held to advocate for the model; (iii) number of cases in which the model has been utilized; (iv) impact of the model on rehabilitation and recidivism; and (v) cost savings associated with the model              $199,490

0330-0613For the implementation of the recommendations set forth by the Council of State Governments Justice Center - Massachusetts Criminal Justice Review including, but not limited to, the establishment of new programs and expansion of existing programs targeted at recidivism reduction; provided, that the trial court shall transfer funds to other state agencies and departments of the commonwealth as outlined in this item; provided further, that not less than 15 days before any such transfer, the trial court administrator shall notify the house and senate committees on ways and means; provided further, that if no state agency or department is specifically designated to receive funds from this item, the trial court administrator shall distribute funding based on the recommendations of the Council of State Governments Justice Center - Massachusetts Criminal Justice Review; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, each state agency or department receiving funds from this item shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing, as applicable, participation, completion and recidivism rates, delineated by gender; provided further, that the department of correction shall expend not less than $637,500 to expand recidivism reduction programming; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the department of correction shall submit a report to the executive office of public safety and security, the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on the judiciary on the types of recidivism reduction programs provided, participation, completion and recidivism rates for said recidivism reduction programming; provided further, that the report shall be delineated by gender and include descriptions of new programs offered to women as a result of these funds; provided further, that not less than $345,000 shall be expended on grants administered by the executive office of public safety and security to support the expansion of evidence-based cognitive behavioral programs in county houses of correction and jails; provided further, that the secretary of public safety and security shall award grants on a competitive basis and applicants shall provide a plan for ensuring that proposed programs shall be implemented with fidelity to a research-based, evidence-based or evidence-informed program design; provided further, that if there is no existing research or evidence supporting the proposed program, applicants shall describe in detail how the program will be evaluated with sufficient rigor to add to existing research; provided further, that the sheriffs’ offices that receive grant funds shall report participation, completion and recidivism rates annually to the executive office of public safety and security; provided further, that the report shall be delineated by gender and include descriptions of new programs offered to women as a result of these funds; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, copies of the report shall be provided to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on the judiciary; provided further, that not less than $130,000 shall be expended to develop and implement a program to improve collaboration between the department of correction and the parole board to reduce delays in the release of incarcerated persons approved for parole; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the department of correction and the parole board shall submit a joint report to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on the judiciary detailing the: (i) implementation process; (ii) number of incarcerated persons who experienced delayed release in fiscal year 2024 compared to prior fiscal years; and (iii) average length of delays in fiscal year 2024 compared to prior fiscal years; provided further, that not less than $130,000 shall be expended to: (a) evaluate the caseload of parole and probation officers; (b) hire new officers accordingly; and (c) expand programs and services at community corrections centers; provided further, that not less than $2,300,000 shall be expended for a transitional youth early intervention probation pilot program to be administered by the office of the commissioner of probation; provided further, that not less than $45,000 shall be expended to improve case management and data-tracking capacity in the office of the commissioner of probation; and provided further, that not less than $5,075,000 shall be expended in conjunction with the executive office of health and human services to develop and implement a behavioral health strategy, including statewide capacity to track the utilization of behavioral health care services and behavioral health outcomes for persons in the criminal justice system within the Medicaid management information system              .$8,662,500

0331-0100For the operation of the superior court department; provided, that funds shall be expended for medical malpractice tribunals under section 60B of chapter 231 of the General Laws; and provided further, that the clerk of the court shall be responsible for the internal administration of the clerk’s office, including personnel, staff services and record keeping              $38,437,953

District Court Department.

0332-0100For the operation of the district court department, including a civil conciliation program              $85,955,959

Probate and Family Court Department.

0333-0002For the operation of the probate and family court department; provided, that funds shall be expended for the expansion of the court, including the salaries of judges; and provided further, that not less than $848,014 shall be expended to continue the case management triage plan              $43,883,650

Land Court Department.

0334-0001For the operation of the land court department              $5,410,707

Boston Municipal Court Department.

0335-0001For the operation of the Boston municipal court department              $16,497,805

0336-0002For the operation of the housing court department; provided, that funds shall be expended on court interpreter services              $13,413,174

Juvenile Court Department.

0337-0002For the operation of the juvenile court department; provided , that not less than $430,000 shall be expended for the Worcester county court-appointed special advocates program for its court-appointed special advocates program in Worcester county; provided further, that not less than $136,000 shall be expended for the Franklin and Hampshire county court-appointed special advocates program; provided further, that not less than $180,000 shall be expended for the Hampden county court-appointed special advocates program; provided further, that not less than $167,000 shall be expended for the Essex county court-appointed special advocates program; provided further, that not less than $288,000 shall be expended  for the Boston court-appointed special advocates program; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Berkshire county court-appointed special advocates program; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended for the Bristol county court-appointed special advocates program; and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Massachusetts CASA Association, Inc.              $25,073,168

Office of the Commissioner of Probation.

0339-1001For the office of the commissioner of probation; provided, that the office shall enter into an interagency service agreement with the department of revenue to verify income data and to utilize the department’s wage reporting and bank match system for weekly tape-matching to determine an individual’s eligibility for appointment of indigent counsel under chapter 211D of the General Laws; provided further, that not less than $479,167 shall be expended for DNA testing; provided further, that not less than $450,000 shall be expended for expanded drug testing capacity; provided further, that not less than $222,000 shall be expended for increased sealing and expungement capacity; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for a caseload management software system for the juvenile and probate and family courts; provided further, that not less than $641,000 shall be expended for a pre-trial services unit; provided further, that not less than $350,000 shall be expended for increased electronic monitoring capacity; provided further, that not less than $374,667 shall be expended for a probate and family court workload reduction project; provided further, that not less than $160,000 shall be expended for the purchase of bulletproof vests for probation officers; provided further, that funds may be expended for increased lab-based testing, oral toxicology tests and new urine tests to detect additional substances; provided further, that funds shall be used for the ongoing development and implementation of the validated risk assessment tool to inform pre-adjudication decision making with regard to detention, release on personal recognizance or release under conditions of criminal defendants before the adult trial court; and provided further, that not later than November 1, 2023, the office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the status of the validated risk assessment tool; (ii) efforts to implement the risk assessment tool; (iii) further goals to expand the use of the risk assessment tool; and (iv) the outcomes associated with utilization of the risk assessment tool              $181,795,423

0339-1003For the office of community corrections and performance-based contracts for the operation of community corrections centers; provided, that not later than March 1, 2024, the office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the performance standards used to evaluate community corrections centers; (ii) a description of how each community corrections center compares based on performance and utilization data; (iii) the amount of each contract awarded to community corrections centers on a per-client-day basis; (iv) the standards for terminating contracts with underperforming community corrections centers; and (v) plans for increasing the use of community corrections centers by the courts, the department of correction and the sheriffs’ offices; provided further, that the executive director of the office of community corrections may make funds available from this item for rehabilitative pilot programs that incorporate evidence-based corrections practices; provided further, that the office may provide re-entry services programs, which shall not operate as intermediate sanctions programs as defined in section 1 of chapter 211F of the General Laws, to any person released from incarceration including, but not limited to, any probationer or parolee; and provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended for the Ralph Gants Reentry Services Program for the purpose of supporting reentry, including providing reentry services programs              $29,889,862

0339-1005For a competitive grant program to be administered by the office of the commissioner of probation for cities and towns, acting either individually or in concert, to pilot or expand multidisciplinary approaches to divert juveniles and young adults from the juvenile and criminal justice systems prior to arrest or arraignment through coordinated programs for prevention and intervention that serve youths and their families including, but not limited to: (i) connecting youths to mental health services; (ii) providing youth development activities and mentoring; (iii) promoting school safety, family home visits, juvenile diversion programs and restorative justice and mediation programs; and (iv) providing assistance for families and schools to navigate the legal system; provided, that eligible applicants may partner with nonprofit organizations to provide programs and services; provided further, that the office shall give preference to applications that: (a) clearly outline a comprehensive plan for municipalities to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, schools, community-based organizations and government agencies to address juvenile delinquency and young adult crime; (b) include written commitments of municipalities, law enforcement agencies, schools, community-based organizations and government agencies to collaborate; (c) make a written commitment to match grant funds with at least a 25 per cent matching grant provided by either municipal or private contributions; and (d) identify a local governmental unit to serve as the fiscal agent for the proposed programs and services; provided further, that administrative costs for approved grant applications shall not exceed 5 per cent of the value of the grant; and provided further, that not later than March 15, 2024, the office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (1) the number of grant applications received; (2) the number of grants approved; (3) the amount of funds issued to each grantee; and (4) details regarding each grantee, including geographic location, services offered, organizations with which the grantee collaborated, matching funds provided and the number of juveniles and young adults served              $500,000

0339-1011For a grant program to be administered by the office of the commissioner of probation for community-based residential re-entry programs to reduce recidivism by providing transitional housing, workforce development and case management to individuals returning to the community from county correctional facilities and state prisons, including incarcerated persons under the supervision of state prisons and county correctional facilities approved under sections 49 and 86F of chapter 127 of the General Laws and individuals on parole or on probation; provided, that no funds shall be transferred from this item to any other item in the trial court; provided further, that said programs shall provide supervision and accountability as needed; provided further, that the funds shall be awarded through a competitive process to qualified nonprofit organizations with a documented history of providing comprehensive, evidence-based or evidence-informed community residential re-entry services; provided further, that applicants shall provide a plan for ensuring that proposed programs shall be implemented with fidelity to a research-based, evidence-based or evidence-informed program design; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be spent on women and elderly persons returning from incarceration; provided further, that not less than $1,500,000 shall be awarded to the parole board for sober and transitional housing for parolees; and provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the outcomes and recidivism rates of the participants              $14,111,078

Office of Jury Commissioner.

0339-2100For the office of jury commissioner under chapter 234A of the General Laws              .$3,549,969

DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.

0340-0100For the Suffolk district attorney’s office, including the victim and witness assistance program, the child abuse and sexual assault prosecution program, the domestic violence unit and the children’s advocacy center; provided, that 50 per cent of fees payable under rules 15(d) and 30(c)(8) of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure for appeals taken by the office shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that no assistant district attorney shall be paid an annual salary of less than $68,000              $27,543,411

0340-0198For the overtime costs of state police officers assigned to the Suffolk district attorney’s office              $406,677

Middlesex District Attorney.

0340-0200For the Middlesex district attorney’s office, including the victim and witness assistance program, the child abuse and sexual assault prosecution program and the domestic violence unit; provided, that 50 per cent of fees payable under rules 15(d) and 30(c)(8) of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure for appeals taken by the office shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that no assistant district attorney shall be paid an annual salary of less than $68,000              $23,441,348

0340-0298For the overtime costs of state police officers assigned to the Middlesex district attorney’s office              $632,730

Eastern District Attorney.

0340-0300For the Eastern district attorney’s office, including the victim and witness assistance program, the child abuse and sexual assault prosecution program and the domestic violence unit; provided, that 50 per cent of fees payable under rules 15(d) and 30(c)(8) of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure for appeals taken by the office shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that no assistant district attorney shall be paid an annual salary of less than $68,000              $14,216,949

0340-0398For the overtime costs of state police officers assigned to the Eastern district attorney’s office              $607,851

Worcester District Attorney.

0340-0400For the Worcester district attorney’s office, including the victim and witness assistance program, the child abuse and sexual assault prosecution program and the domestic violence unit; provided, that 50 per cent of fees payable under rules 15(d) and 30(c)(8) of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure for appeals taken by the office shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that no assistant district attorney shall be paid an annual salary of less than $68,000              $15,388,378

0340-0498For the overtime costs of state police officers assigned to the Worcester district attorney’s office              $513,803

Hampden District Attorney.

0340-0500For the Hampden district attorney’s office, including the victim and witness assistance program, the child abuse and sexual assault prosecution program and the domestic violence unit; provided, that 50 per cent of fees payable under rules 15(d) and 30(c)(8) of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure for appeals taken by the office shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that no assistant district attorney shall be paid an annual salary of less than $68,000              $16,000,167

0340-0598For the overtime costs of state police officers assigned to the Hampden district attorney’s office              $518,927

0340-0600For the Northwestern district attorney’s office, including the victim and witness assistance program, the child abuse and sexual assault prosecution program, the domestic violence unit and the anti-crime task force; provided, that 50 per cent of fees payable under rules 15(d) and 30(c)(8) of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure for appeals taken by the office shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that no assistant district attorney shall be paid an annual salary of less than $68,000              $9,482,052

0340-0698For the overtime costs of state police officers assigned to the Northwestern district attorney’s office              $365,622

Norfolk District Attorney.

0340-0700For the Norfolk district attorney’s office, including the victim and witness assistance program, the child abuse and sexual assault prosecution program and the domestic violence unit; provided, that 50 per cent of fees payable under rules 15(d) and 30(c)(8) of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure for appeals taken by the office shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that no assistant district attorney shall be paid an annual salary of less than $68,000              $13,870,562

0340-0798For the overtime costs of state police officers assigned to the Norfolk district attorney’s office              $523,480

Plymouth District Attorney.

0340-0800For the Plymouth district attorney’s office, including the victim and witness assistance program, the child abuse and sexual assault prosecution program and the domestic violence unit; provided, that 50 per cent of fees payable under rules 15(d) and 30(c)(8) of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure for appeals taken by the office shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that no assistant district attorney shall be paid an annual salary of less than $68,000              $12,251,795

0340-0898For the overtime costs of state police officers assigned to the Plymouth district attorney’s office              $526,343

Bristol District Attorney.

0340-0900For the Bristol district attorney’s office, including the victim and witness assistance program, the child abuse and sexual assault prosecution program and the domestic violence unit; provided, that 50 per cent of fees payable under rules 15(d) and 30(c)(8) of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure for appeals taken by the office shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that no assistant district attorney shall be paid an annual salary of less than $68,000              $13,939,004

0340-0998For the overtime costs of state police officers assigned to the Bristol district attorney’s office              $629,095

Cape and Islands District Attorney.

0340-1000For the Cape and Islands district attorney’s office, including the victim and witness assistance program, the child abuse and sexual assault prosecution program and the domestic violence unit; provided, that 50 per cent of fees payable under rules 15(d) and 30(c)(8) of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure for appeals taken by the office shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that no assistant district attorney shall be paid an annual salary of less than $68,000              $6,299,641

0340-1098For the overtime costs of state police officers assigned to the Cape and Islands district attorney’s office              $348,098

Berkshire District Attorney.

0340-1100For the Berkshire district attorney’s office, including the victim and witness assistance program, the child abuse and sexual assault prosecution program, the drug task force, the domestic violence unit and the Berkshire county law enforcement task force; provided, that 50 per cent of fees payable under rules 15(d) and 30(c)(8) of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure for appeals taken by the office shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that no assistant district attorney shall be paid an annual salary of less than $68,000              $5,820,614

0340-1198For the overtime costs of state police officers assigned to the Berkshire district attorney’s office              $283,768

MASSACHUSETTS DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION.

0340-0203For the implementation and administration of drug diversion programs for nonviolent young adult drug offenders; provided, that individuals using heroin or other opiate derivatives who are arrested for nonviolent crimes shall be eligible for such programs; provided further, that individuals charged with violent crimes shall not be eligible for participation in a drug diversion program; provided further, that a district attorney’s office may contract with any organization to administer a drug diversion program or an education program; provided further, that such programs shall be designed in consultation with the department of public health; provided further, that diversion program candidates without insurance coverage for the services under the programs shall not be denied access to the program based on the inability to pay; provided further, that not less than 60 days before the distribution of funds, the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing: (i) the amount to be given to each district attorney’s office; (ii) the methodology for the distribution; and (iii) the administration and cost of the program; and provided further, that no funds from this item shall be expended on the administrative costs of the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association              $499,950

0340-2100For the operation of the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association, including the implementation and related expenses of the district attorneys’ offices automation, case management and tracking system; provided, that expenses associated with the system may be charged directly to this item; provided further, that the association shall work in conjunction with the disabled persons protection commission and the 11 district attorneys' offices to prepare a report that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the number of abuse cases that are referred to each district attorney’s office for further investigation; (ii) the number of those referrals resulting in the filing of criminal charges, delineated by type of charge; (iii) the number of cases referred to each district attorney's office that remain open as of the date for submission of the report; and (iv) the number of cases that resulted in a criminal prosecution and the disposition of each such prosecution; provided further, that not later than March 15, 2024, the report shall be submitted to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the clerks of the senate and house of representatives; provided further, that not later than January 30, 2024, the association shall work in conjunction with the 11 district attorneys’ offices to prepare and submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the clerks of the senate and house of representatives; provided further, that the association shall provide the offices with an agreed-upon template for the report to be filled out; provided further, that the offices shall submit the report in a standard electronic format; and provided further, that the template shall include, delineated by charge type: (a) the number of criminal cases initiated by arraignment in each department of the trial court; (b) the number of criminal cases disposed of in each department of the trial court; (c) the number of cases appealed to the appeals courts, the supreme judicial court, a single justice of the appeals court or of the supreme judicial court or any other appeals; (d) the number of cases reviewed but not charged; and (e) the number of cases under active management where the case includes charges for drug offenses under chapter 94C of the General Laws, motor vehicle offenses under chapter 90 of the General Laws or firearm offenses under chapter 140 of the General Laws              $2,448,748

0340-2117For the retention of assistant district attorneys and non-attorney staff with not less than 3 years of experience; provided, that the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association shall transfer funds to the AA object class in each of the 11 district attorneys’ offices; provided further, that the association shall develop a formula for the distribution of these funds; provided further, that funds distributed from this item to the district attorneys’ offices shall be used for retention purposes and shall not be transferred out of the AA object class; provided further, that not less than 60 days before the distribution of funds, the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing: (i) the methodology used to determine the amount to be disbursed; (ii) the amount to be given to each district attorney’s office; (iii) the methodology for the distribution; and (iv) the number of assistant district attorneys and non-attorney staff from each office who would receive funds from this item; and provided further, that no funds from this item shall be expended for the administrative costs of the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association              .$1,000,000

0340-8908For the costs associated with maintaining the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association’s wide area network              $3,323,237

EXECUTIVE.

0411-1000For the offices of the governor, the lieutenant governor and the governor’s council; provided, that the amount appropriated in this item may be used at the discretion of the governor for the payment of extraordinary expenses not otherwise provided for and for transfers to appropriation items where the amounts otherwise available may be insufficient              $6,101,602

0411-1020For the operation of the office of climate innovation and resilience              $500,000

SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

0511-0000For the operation of the office of the secretary of the commonwealth; provided, that the secretary may transfer funds between items 0540-0900, 0540-1000, 0540-1100, 0540-1200, 0540-1300, 0540-1400, 0540-1500, 0540-1600, 0540-1700, 0540-1800, 0540-1900, 0540-2000 and 0540-2100 under an allocation schedule which shall be submitted to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means not less than 30 days before the transfer; and provided further, that each register of deeds using electronic record books shall ensure that all methods of electronically recording instruments conform to the regulations or standards established by the secretary and the records conservation board              $8,076,253

0511-0001For the secretary of the commonwealth, who may expend not more than $15,000 in revenues collected from the sale of merchandise at the state house gift shop to restock gift shop inventory              $15,000

0511-0002For the operation of the corporations division; provided, that the division shall implement a corporate dissolution program; and provided further, that not later than April 1, 2024, the secretary of the commonwealth shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the total number of reports filed as a result of this program and the amount of revenue generated for the commonwealth              $570,040

0511-0200For the operation of the archives division; provided, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for preservation matching grants for municipalities and nonprofit organizations to preserve veterans monuments, memorials and other significant sites and historic documents; and provided further, that the program shall be administered by the state historic records advisory board              $870,213

0511-0230For the operation of the records center              $65,469

0511-0250For the operation of the archives facility              $832,581

0511-0260For the operation of the commonwealth museum              $273,350

0511-0270For the secretary of the commonwealth, who shall contract with the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute to provide the commonwealth with technical assistance on United States census data and to prepare annual population estimates; provided, that the contract shall be for not less than $325,000              $1,000,001

0511-0420For the operation of the address confidentiality program; provided, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for a statewide domestic violence service provider grant program; provided further, that the grant program shall be administered by the secretary of the commonwealth through a competitive request for proposals; provided further, that such proposals shall support outreach activities to promote awareness of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; provided further, that entities eligible to apply shall be nonprofit organizations that provide services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking and legally protected reproductive health and gender-affirming care service providers; provided further, that eligible outreach activities shall include: (i) location-specific social media or mobile advertising campaigns; (ii) workplace or classroom educational seminars or similar community-based programming; and (iii) the creation and distribution of digital training toolkits to promote awareness in workplace or extra-curricular settings; provided further, that information presented through those outreach activities shall include information on available services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, the nearest district attorney’s office and other relevant statewide services including, but not limited to, the: (a) address confidentiality program; (b) Massachusetts office for victim assistance; and (c) department of transitional assistance; provided further, that the secretary shall, to the maximum extent possible, ensure a geographically equitable disbursement of funds; provided further, that the secretary shall provide technical assistance to eligible entities in the application process; provided further, that the secretary shall develop reporting requirements for grant recipients; and provided further, that not later than December 16, 2024, the secretary shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing: (1) the efficacy of the grant program;  (2) key accomplishments of the awarded funds; and (3) the estimated impact of the awarded funds              $268,971

0517-0000For the printing of public documents              $558,639

0521-0000For the operation of the elections division, including preparation, printing and distribution of ballots and for other miscellaneous expenses for primary and other elections; provided, that the secretary of the commonwealth may award grants for voter registration and education; and provided further, that the registration and education activities may be conducted by community-based voter registration and education organizations              $18,667,404

0521-0001For the operation of the central voter registration computer system; provided, that not later than February 1, 2024, the secretary of the commonwealth shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing voter registration activity and a breakdown, by region, of active voters in the commonwealth              $11,414,907

0521-0002For implementing early voting in the commonwealth as required by section 25B of chapter 54 of the General Laws              $6,000,000

0524-0000For providing information to voters              $455,738

0526-0100For the operation of the Massachusetts historical commission              $1,067,051

0527-0100For the operation of the ballot law commission              $10,384

0528-0100For the operation of the records conservation board              $36,396

0540-0900For the registry of deeds located in the city of Lawrence              $1,368,857

0540-1000For the registry of deeds located in the city of Salem              $3,105,080

0540-1100For the registry of deeds located in the county of Franklin              $680,502

0540-1200For the registry of deeds located in the county of Hampden              $2,133,785

0540-1300For the registry of deeds located in the county of Hampshire              $851,798

0540-1400For the registry of deeds located in the city of Lowell              $1,299,018

0540-1500For the registry of deeds located in the city of Cambridge              $4,387,709

0540-1600For the registry of deeds located in the town of Adams              $454,448

0540-1700For the registry of deeds located in the city of Pittsfield              $614,599

0540-1800For the registry of deeds located in the town of Great Barrington              $364,693

0540-1900For the registry of deeds located in the county of Suffolk              $2,370,528

0540-2000For the registry of deeds located in the city of Fitchburg              $790,699

0540-2100For the registry of deeds located in the city of Worcester              $2,542,827

TREASURER AND RECEIVER GENERAL.

Office of the Treasurer and Receiver General.

0610-0000For the office of the treasurer and receiver general              $11,783,921

0610-0010For the office of economic empowerment; provided, that funds from this item may be transferred to the Economic Empowerment Trust Fund established in section 35QQ of chapter 10 of the General Laws; and provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to the MIDAS Collaborative Inc. as a fiscal intermediary for matched-savings programs, which help to close critical racial and other wealth gaps of low-to-moderate-income households, in partnership with financial institutions, community development corporations, community foundations and other community-based organizations              $1,626,701

0610-0050For the administration of the alcoholic beverages control commission in its efforts to regulate and control the conduct and condition of traffic in alcoholic beverages; provided, that the commission shall maintain at least 1 chief investigator and other investigators as may be necessary for the regulation and control of trafficking of alcoholic beverages; provided further, that the commission shall work and cooperate with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the United States Department of Justice and other relevant federal agencies to assist in its efforts to regulate and control trafficking of alcoholic beverages; and provided further, that the commission shall seek out matching federal funds and apply for federal grants that may be available to assist in the enforcement of laws pertaining to the trafficking of alcoholic beverages              $5,081,903

0610-0051For the operation of the alcoholic beverages control commission relative to the prevention of underage drinking and related programs including, but not limited to, applying for and obtaining Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the United States Department of Justice funds, grants and other federal appropriations; provided, that the commission may expend not more than $248,000 in revenues collected from fees generated by the commission; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the commission may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $248,000

0610-0060For the costs associated with the investigation and enforcement division of the alcoholic beverages control commission’s implementation of the enhanced liquor enforcement programs known as the safe campus, safe holidays, safe prom and safe summer programs; provided, that funds from this item shall not support other operating costs of item 0610-0050              $248,780

0610-2000For payments made to veterans under section 1 of chapter 646 of the acts of 1968, section 16 of chapter 130 of the acts of 2005 and section 11 of chapter 132 of the acts of 2009; provided, that the office of the state treasurer may expend not more than $300,000 for costs incurred in the administration of these payments; and provided further, that not later than September 1, 2023, the state treasurer shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing: (i) the number of veterans applying for the payments, delineated by in-person and online applications; and (ii) how many payments were approved in the prior fiscal year              $2,804,660

0611-1000For bonus payments to war veterans              $44,500

0612-0105For payment of the public safety employee killed in the line of duty benefit established in section 100A of chapter 32 of the General Laws; provided, that the office of the state treasurer shall provide immediate written notification to the secretary of administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means upon the expenditure of the funds appropriated in this item; and provided further, that at the written request of the state treasurer, the comptroller shall transfer uncommitted and unobligated funds from item 1599-3384 to this item              $600,000

0640-0000For the operation of the state lottery commission and arts lottery; provided, that no funds shall be expended from this item for costs associated with the promotion or advertising of lottery games; provided further, that positions funded from this item shall not be subject to chapters 30 and 31 of the General Laws; and provided further, that 25 per cent of the amount appropriated in this item shall be transferred quarterly from the State Lottery and Gaming Fund, established in section 35 of chapter 10 of the General Laws, to the General Fund              $105,754,482

0640-0005For the costs associated with monitor games; provided, that 25 per cent of the amount appropriated in this item shall be transferred quarterly from the State Lottery and Gaming Fund, established in section 35 of chapter 10 of the General Laws, to the General Fund              $3,242,859

0640-0010For the promotional activities associated with the state lottery program; provided, that not later than June 28, 2024, the state lottery commission shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing additional revenues generated as a result of promotional activities funded from this item; and provided further, that 25 per cent of the amount appropriated in this item shall be transferred quarterly from the State Lottery and Gaming Fund, established in section 35 of chapter 10 of the General Laws, to the General Fund              $4,500,000

0640-0096For the commonwealth’s fiscal year 2024 contributions to the health and welfare fund established under the collective bargaining agreement between the state lottery commission and the Service Employees International Union, Local 888, AFL-CIO; provided, that the contributions shall be paid to the fund on such basis as the collective bargaining agreement provides; and provided further, that 25 per cent of the amount appropriated in this item shall be transferred quarterly from the State Lottery and Gaming Fund, established in section 35 of chapter 10 of the General Laws, to the General Fund              $497,310

Massachusetts Cultural Council.

0640-0300For the services and operations of the Massachusetts cultural council, including grants to or contracts with public and nonpublic entities; provided, that the council may expend the amounts appropriated in this item for the council as provided in sections 52 to 58, inclusive, of chapter 10 of the General Laws; provided further, that 25 per cent of the amount appropriated in this item shall be transferred quarterly from the State Lottery and Gaming Fund, established in section 35 of said chapter 10, to the General Fund; provided further, that a person employed under this item shall be considered an employee within the meaning of section 1 of chapter 150E of the General Laws and shall be placed in the appropriate bargaining unit; provided further, that the council shall expend from any source an amount not less than 75 per cent of the amount of this item on grants and subsidies to further the achievement of the goals of the council’s 3-year strategic plan, including: (i) stewarding programmatic practices that advance equity, diversity and inclusion; (ii) advancing the creative and cultural sector through building partnerships, identifying recommendations and storytelling; and (iii) ensuring that internal systems, structures and ways of working reflect the council’s values of creativity, public service and inclusion and advance the sector’s needs ; and provided further, that not later than February 1, 2024, the council shall submit its board-approved fiscal year 2024 spending plan to the office of the state treasurer, the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on tourism, arts and cultural development including, but not limited to, the amounts to be expended on: (a) grants and subsidies; (b) personnel; (c) leases and utilities; and (d) travel, delineated by in-state and board-approved out-of-state travel              $25,000,000

0699-0005For the state treasurer, who may retain and expend not more than $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 from premiums paid on the sales of revenue anticipation notes and expend those premium payments to pay the principal and interest on account of the revenue anticipation notes              $50,000,000

0699-0014For the payment of interest, discount and principal on certain indebtedness incurred under chapter 233 of the acts of 2008 for financing the accelerated bridge program              $257,597,997

Commonwealth Transportation Fund......100%

0699-0015For the payment of interest, discount and principal on certain bonded debt and the sale of bonds of the commonwealth; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the state treasurer may make payments under section 38C of chapter 29 of the General Laws from this item and items 0699-9100, 0699-2005 and 0699-0014; provided further, that the payments shall pertain to the bonds, notes or other obligations authorized to be paid from each item; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the comptroller may transfer the amounts that would otherwise be unexpended on June 30, 2024 from this item to items 0699-9100, 0699-2005 and 0699-0014 or from said items 0699-9100, 0699-2005 and 0699-0014 to this item which would otherwise have insufficient amounts to meet debt service obligations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024; provided further, that each amount transferred shall be charged to the funds as specified in the item to which the amount is transferred; provided further, that payments on bonds issued under section 2O of said chapter 29 shall be paid from this item and shall be charged to the infrastructure subfund of the Commonwealth Transportation Fund; and provided further, that notwithstanding this item or any general or special law to the contrary, the comptroller may charge the payments authorized in the item to the appropriate budgetary or other fund subject to a plan which the comptroller shall submit to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means not less than 10 days in advance of charging such payments…              $2,108,969,650

General Fund....................52.36%

Commonwealth Transportation Fund.....47.64%

0699-2005For the payment of interest, discount and principal on certain indebtedness that may be incurred for financing the central artery/third harbor tunnel funding shortfall              .$94,593,915

Commonwealth Transportation Fund......100%

0699-9100For the payment of costs associated with any bonds, notes or other obligations of the commonwealth, including issuance costs, interest on bonds, bond and revenue anticipation notes, commercial paper and other notes under sections 47 and 49B of chapter 29 of the General Laws and for the payment to the United States under Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 148, of any rebate amount or yield reduction payment owed with respect to any bonds or notes or other obligations of the commonwealth; provided, that the state treasurer shall certify to the comptroller a schedule of the distribution of costs among the various funds of the commonwealth; provided further, that not more than $400,000 shall be expended from this item for the costs of personnel at the debt department of the office of the state treasurer; provided further, that the comptroller shall charge costs to the funds in accordance with the schedule; and provided further, that any deficit in this item at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 shall be charged to the various funds or to the General Fund or the Commonwealth Transportation Fund debt service reserves…              $13,681,484

OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR.

0710-0000For the office of the state auditor, including the review and monitoring of privatization contracts under sections 52 to 55, inclusive, of chapter 7 of the General Laws              $17,977,332

0710-0100For the operation of the division of local mandates              $405,002

0710-0200For the operation of the bureau of special investigations; provided, that the office of the state auditor shall submit quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the total amount of fraudulently obtained benefits identified by the bureau, the total value of settlement restitution payments, actual monthly collections and any circumstances that produce shortfalls in collections              $2,019,975

0710-0225For the operation of the Medicaid audit unit within the division of audit operations to prevent and identify fraud and abuse in the MassHealth system; provided, that the federal reimbursement for any expenditure from this item shall not be less than 50 per cent; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the division shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing all findings on activities and payments made through the MassHealth system; provided further, that the report shall include, to the extent available, a review of all post-audit efforts undertaken by MassHealth to recoup payments owed to the commonwealth due to identified fraud and abuse; provided further, that the report shall include the responses of MassHealth to the most recent post-audit review survey, including the status of recoupment efforts; and provided further, that the report shall include the unit’s recommendations to enhance recoupment efforts…              $1,358,812

0710-0300For costs related to the use of data analytic techniques to identify fraud by the bureau of special investigations              $515,480

0710-0400For the operation of an information technology audit unit within the office of the state auditor in order to conduct audits of high risk information technology related activities including, cybersecurity, data access, systems operations, data integrity and regulatory compliance              $815,155

Police Reform Commission.

0800-0000For the operation of the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission; provided, that not later than March 15, 2024, the commission shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the commission’s current caseload for fiscal year 2024; (ii) the number of complaints concerning police officer conduct received by the commission; (iii) patterns of unprofessional police conduct identified by the commission; and (iv) the number of police officers suspended by the commission and the reason for the suspension, prior appropriation continued              $8,500,000

0800-0001For the operation of the commission on the status of African Americans                   $150,000

0800-0002For the operation of the commission on the status of Latinos and Latinas                   $150,000

0800-0003For the operation of the commission on the status of persons with disabilities              $150,000

0800-0004For the operation of the commission on the social status of Black men and boys              $150,000

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

0810-0000For the office of the attorney general, including the administration of the local consumer aid fund established in section 11G of chapter 12 of the General Laws, the operation of the anti-trust division, all regional offices, a high-tech crime unit and the victim and witness assistance program; provided, that the victim and witness assistance program shall be administered under chapters 258B and 258C of the General Laws; and provided further, that funds shall be expended to support the services of the student loan ombudsman within the office who will serve as an independent mediator for student loan borrowers in the commonwealth              .$36,526,667

0810-0004For compensation to victims of violent crimes; provided, that notwithstanding chapter 258C of the General Laws, if a claimant is 60 years of age or older at the time of the crime and is not employed or receiving unemployment compensation, such claimant shall be eligible for compensation under said chapter 258C even if the claimant has suffered no out-of-pocket loss; provided further, that compensation to such claimant shall be limited to a maximum of $50; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, victims of the crime of rape shall be notified of all available services designed to assist rape victims including, but not limited to, the services provided under section 5 of chapter 258B of the General Laws              $3,426,323

0810-0013For the office of the attorney general, which may expend for a false claims program not more than $4,088,503 in revenues collected from enforcement of sections 5A to 5O, inclusive, the false claims law; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the office may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $4,088,503

0810-0014For the operation of the office of ratepayer advocacy within the office of the attorney general under section 11E of chapter 12 of the General Laws; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the amount assessed under said section 11E of said chapter 12 shall equal the amount expended from this item and the associated fringe benefit costs for personnel paid from this item; and provided further, that funds shall be expended for the expenses of legal and technical personnel and associated administrative and travel expenses relative to participation in regulatory proceedings at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on behalf of ratepayers in the commonwealth              $2,910,218

0810-0016For the office of the attorney general, which may expend not more than $618,200 in revenues collected from costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees as awarded to the attorney general by the court or as agreed upon by the parties in settlement of any claims brought pursuant to the acts enforced in this item, for the development and prosecution of claims for enforcement by the commonwealth of the federal Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq., the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq., the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq., the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, 42 U.S.C 11001 et seq., the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq. and the federal Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. including, but not limited to, the investigation of such claims, personnel and litigation costs, the engagement of experts, the administration of studies or related activities and the enforcement of settlements; provided, that penalties payable to the commonwealth under the General Laws that are recovered by the commonwealth in the course of prosecuting claims for enforcement of federal law shall be deposited into the General Fund; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the office may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $618,200

0810-0021For the operation of the Medicaid fraud control unit; provided, that the federal reimbursement for any expenditure from this item shall not be less than 75 per cent of the expenditure; and provided further, that funds shall continue to be used specifically for the investigation and prosecution of abuse, neglect, mistreatment and misappropriation based on referrals from the department of public health under section 72H of chapter 111 of the General Laws              $5,047,181

0810-0045For the wage enforcement program; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a nonmanagement position funded by this item shall be considered a job title in a collective bargaining unit as prescribed by the labor relations commission and shall be subject to chapter 150E of the General Laws; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for the operation and administration of a specialized prevailing wage and construction investigatory and enforcement unit within the wage enforcement program; provided further, that the unit shall consist of not less than 2 investigators assigned to eastern Massachusetts, 2 investigators assigned to central Massachusetts and 2 investigators assigned to western Massachusetts; provided further, that the specialized unit shall be supervised by at least 1 supervising investigator and 1 assistant attorney general in the wage enforcement program’s Boston office who shall have significant experience investigating violations of the commonwealth’s prevailing wage and construction laws; and provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the specialized unit shall submit a report on its annual enforcement actions and violation trends within the construction industry to the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives              $6,335,964

0810-0061For the funding of existing and future litigation committed to obtaining significant recoveries for the commonwealth              $3,246,480

0810-0098For the overtime costs of state police officers assigned to the office of the attorney general; provided, that other costs associated with the officers shall not be funded from this item; and provided further, that no expenditures shall be made on or after the effective date of this item that would cause the commonwealth’s obligation under this item to exceed the amount appropriated in this item              $779,625

0810-0201For the costs incurred in administrative or judicial proceedings on insurance under section 11F of chapter 12 of the General Laws; provided, that funds made available in this item may be used to supplement the automobile insurance fraud unit and the workers’ compensation fraud unit in the office of the attorney general; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the amount assessed for these costs shall be equal to the amount expended from this item and the associated fringe benefit costs for personnel paid from this item; and provided further, that funds may be expended for costs associated with health insurance rate hearings              $1,829,912

0810-0338For the investigation and prosecution of automobile insurance fraud; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the amount assessed for these costs shall be equal to the amount appropriated in this item and the associated fringe benefit costs for personnel paid from this item              $564,595

0810-0399For the investigation and prosecution of workers’ compensation fraud; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the amount assessed for these costs shall be equal to the amount appropriated in this item and the associated fringe benefit costs for personnel paid from this item; provided further, that the office of the attorney general shall investigate and prosecute, when appropriate, employers who fail to provide workers’ compensation insurance as required by law and those employers or employees who may seek to defraud the system; and provided further, that the unit shall investigate and report on all companies not in compliance with chapter 152 of the General Laws              $371,216

0810-1204For the costs of the division of gaming enforcement under section 11M of chapter 12 of the General Laws; provided, that the gaming commission shall reimburse the General Fund for the total amount of this appropriation and associated fringe benefit costs under said section 11M of said chapter 12              $536,474

0810-1205For programs established to combatting opioid addiction including, but not limited to, the investigation and enforcement of opioid dispensing practices and fraudulent prescribing practices; provided, that not later than February 1, 2024, the office of the attorney general shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the results of the program including, but not limited to, the effectiveness of investigations, opioid and trafficking settlements pursued and long-term plans for the program              $2,406,595

0810-1206For the office of the attorney general, which may expend for a civil penalties revolving fund an amount not to exceed $2,023,194 from revenues collected from enforcement of civil law; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of revenues and related expenditures, the office may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $2,023,194

Victim and Witness Assistance Board.

0840-0100For the operation of the victim and witness assistance board; provided, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the operation and administration of trainings and educational programming that advances the goals of the Massachusetts office for victim assistance              $1,426,262

0840-0101For the salaries and administration of the SAFEPLAN advocacy program to be administered by the Massachusetts office for victim assistance; provided, that not later than February 1, 2024, the office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the effectiveness of contracting for the program including, but not limited to, the: (i) expansion of the program’s services to new courthouses throughout the commonwealth; (ii) number and types of incidents to which the advocates responded; (iii) types of services and service referrals provided by domestic violence advocates; (iv) cost of providing such services; and (v) extent of coordination with other service providers and state agencies; and provided further, that SAFEPLAN services shall be maintained at not less than the levels provided in fiscal year 2023              $2,421,044

State ethics commission.

0900-0100For the operation of the state ethics commission              $3,485,031

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

0910-0200For the operation of the office of the inspector general              $5,475,461

0910-0210For the office of the inspector general, which may expend revenues collected up to $1,175,000 from the fees charged to participants in the Massachusetts public purchasing official certification program and the certified public manager program for the operation of such programs; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the office may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $1,175,000

0910-0220For the operation of the bureau of program integrity established in section 16V of chapter 6A of the General Laws              $743,085

0910-0230For the operation of the data analytics unit within the office of the inspector general              $500,000 

0910-0300For the operation of the internal special audit unit established in section 9 of chapter 6C of the General Laws              $750,000

0910-0330For the operation of the division of state police oversight established in section 72 of chapter 22C of the General Laws              $437,250

OFFICE OF CAMPAIGN AND POLITICAL FINANCE.

0920-0300For the operation of the office of campaign and political finance              $2,180,060

OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE.

0930-0100For the operation of the office of the child advocate; provided, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended on efforts to ensure that transition-age youth who are aging out of the care or custody of the department of children and families or the department of youth services are well-prepared for and supported in their transition into adulthood; provided further, that such services shall include, but not be limited to, staff support through case management and the provision of direct housing services; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be used to ensure effective cross-agency coordination of early childhood and school-aged student wellness efforts to address barriers to student academic success, health and safety, including, but not limited to, access to social services, mental health and behavioral health resources information sharing that ensures confidentiality, clear communication and addresses barriers to effective monitoring of students who are in the legal custody of the department of children and families, including coordination of mandated reporter responsibilities; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for the office to review the current capacity of family resource centers including, but not limited to: (i) catchment area penetration; (ii) the programmatic activities and partnerships of each family resources center; (iii) statewide and regional analysis of the needs of families and children seeking the support of a family resource center; and (iv) family resource center service gaps across the commonwealth; provided further, that the review shall be conducted in collaboration with the Families and Children Requiring Assistance Advisory Board established in chapter 240 of the acts of 2012 and the department of children and families; provided further, that the office shall engage with consumers and family resource centers during its review; provided further, that the department of children and families shall provide the office with direct access to any de-identified data, management reports, evaluation studies or other documents held by the department or by any external vendor the department contracts with that the office deems relevant to its review to aid the office in its efforts to collect or analyze data and information related to family resource centers, including contracted family resource center providers and the ForHealth consulting division of the University of Massachusetts Medical School; provided further, that not later than April 15, 2024, the office shall submit a report to the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities, the joint committee on the judiciary and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the review including, but not limited to: (a) findings and recommendations regarding improvements for core services, key community partnerships and system navigation services; and (b) recommendations for closing access gaps to family resource centers; and provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for the hospital-based, comprehensive child protection program at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center providing pediatric abuse injury care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including: (1) medical evaluation and diagnosis services in cases of pediatric sexual abuse, sexual assault, physical abuse and neglect; (2) timely health care evaluations and examinations for children entering foster care; and (3) trainings for medical, educational and social service professionals regarding physical and mental health issues for victims of abuse              $5,077,671

0930-0101For the operation of the state center on child wellbeing and trauma              $3,750,000 

MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION.

0940-0100For the Massachusetts commission against discrimination; provided, that the commission shall pursue the highest allowable rate of federal reimbursement; provided further, that not later than March 5, 2024, the commission shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the: (i) number of currently pending cases and the number of cases under investigation and in post-probable cause, with the number of post-probable cause cases delineated by the number of cases in the conciliation, pre-public hearing and post-public hearing stages; (ii) number of cases pending before the commission in which a state agency or state authority is named as a respondent, delineating those cases by agency or authority; (iii) number of new cases filed in fiscal year 2023; (iv) number of cases closed by the commission in fiscal year 2023; and (v) average duration of cases closed by the commission in fiscal year 2023, delineated by cases that reached the conciliation, pre-public hearing and post-public hearing stages; provided further, that funds made available in this item shall be in addition to funds available in items 0940-0101 and 0940-0103; and provided further, that all nonclerical positions shall be exempt from chapter 31 of the General Laws              $8,237,676

0940-0101For the Massachusetts commission against discrimination, which may expend not more than $1,100,000 in revenues collected from fees and federal reimbursements received for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s fair housing programs during fiscal year 2024 and for federal reimbursements received for this and other programs in prior fiscal years; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the commission may also expend revenues generated through the collection of fees and costs so authorized; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the commission may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $1,100,000

0940-0102For the Massachusetts commission against discrimination, which may expend not more than $410,000 in revenues collected from fees charged for training and monitoring programs; provided, that the commission shall work with the office of access and opportunity and the office of diversity and equal opportunity to design and deliver training to executive branch staff; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the commission may also expend revenues generated through the collection of fees and costs so authorized; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the commission may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $410,000

COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN.

0950-0000For the commission on the status of women established in section 66 of chapter 3 of the General Laws              $843,252

cOMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN.

0950-0030For the commission on the status of grandparents raising grandchildren established in section 69 of chapter 3 of the General Laws              $269,321

MASSACHUSETTS Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Youth.

0950-0050For the commission on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth established in section 67 of chapter 3 of the General Laws              $1,100,000

Commission on the status of asian americans and pacific Islanders.

0950-0080For the commission on the status of citizens of Asian and Pacific Islander descent established in section 68 of chapter 3 of the General Laws              $505,802

OFFICE OF THE VETERAN ADVOCATE.

0960-1000For the operation of the office of the veteran advocate              $750,000

OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER.

1000-0001For the office of the comptroller for the management of the accounting, payroll, related financial systems and annual financial reports, including prescribing the books and manner of accounting and internal control guidance for all agencies of the commonwealth to promote accountability, integrity and clarity in the commonwealth’s business, fiscal and administrative enterprises and to mitigate the risk of fraud, waste and abuse of the commonwealth’s resources; provided, that the comptroller shall submit quarterly reports to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means which shall include, for each state agency for which the commonwealth is billing, the eligible state services and the full-year estimate of revenues and collected revenues; provided further, that the comptroller shall make expenditures for an enhanced intercept collections of delinquent debt program; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the comptroller may take any necessary actions to secure financial and payroll data including, but not limited to, restricting certain data released under section 20 of chapter 66 of the General Laws              $10,352,026

Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

1050-0140For payments to cities and towns under chapter 23K of the General Laws              $1,112,591

CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION.

1070-0840For the operation of the cannabis control commission              $16,312,004

Marijuana Regulation Fund............100%

1070-0842For the cannabis control commission’s oversight of the medical marijuana industry              $3,451,738

Marijuana Regulation Fund............100%

EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE.

Office of the Secretary.

1100-1100For the office of the secretary of administration and finance; provided, that the secretary shall provide biannual reports, the first of which shall be submitted not later than January 31, 2024 and the second of which shall be submitted not later than May 31, 2024, to the house and senate committees on ways and means summarizing existing and proposed collective bargaining agreements in an electronic format; provided further, that, for each agreement, the reports shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the session law for the previously agreed upon collective bargaining agreement; (ii) the current agreement status; (iii) the collective bargaining unit and unit number; (iv) the number of full-time equivalent employees subject to the agreement, by item; (v) a description of the membership of the unit; (vi) the total salary base of the most recent previous agreement; (vii) the start date and expiration date of the most recent agreement; (viii) the estimated total fiscal impact of the agreement compared to the previous agreement; (ix) the base salary increases required by the agreement, by effective time; and (x) the funding status of the agreement; provided further, that the reports shall detail, by bargaining unit, the costs to the commonwealth resulting from the collective bargaining agreements with various public employees’ unions, delineated by item; provided further, that the reports shall include, but not be limited to, the: (a) effective date of any new negotiations or renegotiations; (b) end date of the contract; (c) number of employees in the bargaining unit, by department; and (d) costs associated with any new negotiations or renegotiations, including salary adjustments, step increases, statutory benefits and other non-salary costs for the current and subsequent fiscal years for the life of the contract; provided further, that the executive office for administration and finance shall submit quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing federal grant applications submitted and federal grants received by executive branch agencies during the applicable reporting period; and provided further, that not later than December 1, 2023, the executive office for administration and finance shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means evaluating the stress impacts of varying economic scenarios for the next 2 fiscal years including, but not limited to, the: (1) potential effects of economic changes on tax revenue collections; and (2) sufficiency of the Commonwealth Stabilization Fund established in section 2H of chapter 29 of the General Laws and other reserve balances in offsetting potential revenue declines              $4,390,081

1100-1201For supporting activities relating to accountability and transparency including, but not limited to, economic forecasting, adoption of uniform procedures across state agencies and departments and maximizing federal revenue opportunities              .$543,796

1100-1700For the provision of information technology services within the executive office for administration and finance              $31,792,447

1100-2200For the state infrastructure implementation coordinator and the operation of the federal funds and infrastructure development office; provided, that the office shall submit quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means on its activities including, but not limited to: (i) federal competitive funds awarded to the commonwealth; (ii) federal competitive funds being pursued; and (iii) the status of pending applications submitted for federal competitive funds              $1,997,515

1106-0064For the caseload and economic forecasting office; provided, that the office shall forecast: (i) MassHealth enrollment by group and coverage type; (ii) participation in state-subsidized child care provided through items 3000-3060 and 3000-4060; (iii) participation in emergency assistance and housing programs provided through items 7004-0101, 7004-0102, 7004-0108 and 7004-9316; (iv) enrollment of both active members and dependents in the group insurance commission; (v) recipients of direct benefits provided by the department of transitional assistance through items 4400-1004, 4403-2000, 4405-2000 and 4408-1000; (vi) participation in programs provided by the department of children and families through items 4800-0038 and 4800-0041; and (vii) other related economic forecasts; provided further, that not later than October 31, 2023, the office shall report its fiscal year 2023 actuals, fiscal year 2024 year-to-date actuals and forecasts and fiscal year 2025 forecasts to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means; and provided further, that not later than March 15, 2024, the office shall submit updated forecasts to the executive office and to the house and senate committees on ways and means              $237,591

Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance.

1102-3199For the operation of the office of facilities management and maintenance, including the cost of utilities and associated contracts for properties managed by the division of capital asset management and maintenance              $31,027,267

1102-3205For the division of capital asset management and maintenance, which may expend for the maintenance and operation of the Massachusetts information technology center and other state buildings not more than $11,285,016 in revenues collected from rentals, commissions, fees and any other sources pertaining to the operations of such facilities; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the division may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $11,285,016

1102-3233For the division of capital asset management and maintenance for the certification of contractors and subcontractors              $892,298 

Bureau of the State House.

1102-1128For state house accessibility coordination, including communications access to public hearings and meetings; provided, that access shall include interpreter services for the deaf and hard of hearing              $147,008

1102-3331For the operation of the bureau of the state house; provided, that the superintendent, director of operations and other employees of the bureau shall work in conjunction with the business manager of the house of representatives and the chief financial officer of the senate on the maintenance, repair, purchases and payments for materials and services; and provided further, that funds shall be expended for full-time maintenance coverage of elevators at the state house              $4,500,000

1102-3400For security operations at the bureau of the state house              $250,000

Massachusetts Office on Disability.

1107-2400For the Massachusetts office on disability              $1,096,312

DISABLED PERSONS PROTECTION COMMISSION.

1107-2501For the disabled persons protection commission including, but not limited to, the costs of maintaining a computerized registry system of persons who have been substantiated for registrable abuse of a person with an intellectual or developmental disability; provided, that the commission shall facilitate compliance by the department of mental health and the department of developmental services with uniform investigative standards; provided further, that the commission shall submit quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the number of claims of abuse by caretakers made by employees or contracted service employees of the department of developmental services, the department of mental health and the Massachusetts rehabilitation commission; provided further, that the report shall include the number of: (i) substantiated claims; (ii) unsubstantiated claims; and (iii) false claims reported as a result of intentional and malicious action; and provided further, that all persons who call the commission’s 24-hour hotline shall be provided with the opportunity to elect that the call not be recorded…              $11,139,781

1108-1011For the civil service commission; provided, that the General Fund shall be reimbursed for the appropriation in this item through a fee charged on a per-claim basis; provided further, that the commission shall develop and implement regulations to provide for reimbursement to the General Fund; and provided further, that the commission may assess a fee upon the appointing authority when inappropriate action has occurred              $1,059,905

Group Insurance Commission.

1108-5100For the operation of the group insurance commission; provided, that on a monthly basis, the commission shall provide the caseload forecasting office with enrollment data and any other information pertinent to caseload forecasting; provided further, that the commission shall submit quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) any proposed plan changes accompanied by a detailed rationale for such changes; (ii) a detailed delineation of any estimated deficiencies or reversions in the current fiscal year, detailed by item; and (iii) a projection of any funding changes for the following fiscal year, detailed by item; and provided further, that the commission shall provide all materials presented at any public meetings hosted by the commission to the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than 15 days after the public meeting              $4,760,312

1108-5200For the commonwealth’s share of the group insurance premium and plan costs incurred in fiscal year 2024; provided, that funds may be expended from this item for elderly retired governmental employees and retired municipal teachers; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds in this item shall not be available during the accounts payable period of fiscal year 2024 and any unexpended balance in this item shall revert to the General Fund on June 30, 2024; provided further, that the secretary of administration and finance shall charge the department of unemployment assistance and other departments, authorities, agencies and divisions which have federal or other funds allocated to them for this purpose for that portion of insurance premium and plan costs as the secretary determines shall be borne by such funds and shall notify the comptroller of the amounts to be transferred, after similar determination, from the several state or other funds and amounts received in payment of all such charges or transfers shall be credited to the General Fund; provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for the commonwealth’s share of group insurance premium and plan costs provided to employees and retirees in prior fiscal years; provided further, that the group insurance commission shall obtain reimbursement for premium and administrative expenses from other agencies and authorities not funded by state appropriations; provided further, that the secretary of administration and finance may charge all agencies for the commonwealth’s share of the health insurance costs incurred on behalf of any employees of those agencies who are on leave of absence for a period of more than 1 year; provided further, that the amounts received in payment for the charges shall be credited to the General Fund; provided further, that notwithstanding section 26 of chapter 29 of the General Laws, the commission may negotiate, purchase and execute contracts before July 1 of each year for policies of group insurance under chapter 32A of the General Laws; provided further, that the rules for determining the commonwealth’s share of the group insurance premiums for active and retired state employees shall be the same as the standards in effect on July 1, 2012; provided further, that not less than 90 days before any changes in coverage, benefits or the schedule of copayments and deductibles for plans offered by the group insurance commission, the commission shall notify the house and senate committees on ways and means; provided further, that the commission may pay premium and plan costs for municipal employees and retirees who are enrolled in the commission’s health plans under the commission’s regulations; and provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the commission shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on: (i) the average full cost premium equivalent per enrollee; (ii) the average actual cost per enrollee for enrollees from participating municipalities; (iii) the contribution ratios for each participating municipality for fiscal year 2024; (iv) the number of members in high deductible health plans; (v) the premium reimbursement paid by each municipality per active enrollee by plan; (vi) the average employee premium contribution by plan for each municipality; (vii) estimates for the total premium per active enrollee by plan for each municipality; (viii) the average employee out-of-pocket expenditure and premium contribution by salary level of employees; (ix) a comparison of the total premium estimate with the sum total of municipality reimbursement and average employee premium contribution; (x) the total amount spent on pharmaceutical drugs; and (xi) the cost of the commonwealth’s projected share of premiums for the next fiscal year              $2,175,662,389

1108-5201For the costs incurred by the group insurance commission associated with providing municipal health insurance coverage under section 19 of chapter 32B of the General Laws; provided, that the commission may expend not more than $2,196,746 from revenue received from administrative fees associated with providing municipal health insurance coverage under said section 19 of said chapter 32B; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the commission may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $2,196,746

1108-5500For the costs, notwithstanding chapter 32A of the General Laws, of dental and vision benefits for active state employees, not including employees of authorities or any other political subdivision, who are not otherwise provided those benefits under a separate item or by the terms of a contract or collective bargaining agreement; provided, that such employees shall pay 15 per cent of the monthly premiums established by the group insurance commission for the benefits              .$10,792,776

1110-1000For the operation of the division of administrative law appeals; provided, that the division shall maintain, to the fullest extent practicable, a complete physical and technological separation from any agency, department, board, commission or program the decisions, determinations or actions of which may be appealed to it; and provided further, that a decision issued by a commissioner or other head of an agency or by such person’s designee following the issuance of a recommended decision by an administrative law judge shall be an agency decision subject to judicial review under chapter 30A of the General Laws              $1,649,298

1110-1002For the division of administrative law appeals, which may expend not more than $70,000 in revenues from fees charged to appellants upon the filing of claims, for the operation of the services provided              $70,000

George Fingold Library.

1120-4005For the administration of the George Fingold Library              $1,224,628

Department of Revenue.

1201-0100For the operation of the department of revenue, including tax collection administration, audits of certain foreign corporations and the division of local services; provided, that the department may allocate funds to the office of the attorney general for the tax prosecution unit; provided further, that the department may charge the expenses for computer services, including the costs of personnel and other support costs provided to the child support enforcement unit, from this item to item 1201-0160 consistent with the costs attributable to that unit; provided further, that the department shall provide the general court with access to the municipal data bank; provided further, that notwithstanding section 1 of chapter 31 of the General Laws, seasonal positions funded by this item shall be positions requiring the services of an incumbent, on either a full-time or less than full-time basis, beginning not earlier than December 1 and ending not later than November 30; provided further, that seasonal positions funded by this item shall not be filled by an incumbent for more than 10 months within a 12-month period; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the department’s tax expenditure commission established in section 14 of chapter 14 of the General Laws; and provided further, that not less than $820,000 shall be expended to organizations providing tax assistance services to individuals and families qualifying for the volunteer income tax assistance program, in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service, for the provision of such services              $89,716,417

1201-0122For grants to qualified low-income taxpayer clinics established in section 13 of chapter 14 of the General Laws; provided, that not later than March 5, 2024, the department of revenue shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the: (i) number of grant applications; (ii) number of rejected applications; (iii) reasons for those rejections; (iv) estimated number of taxpayers served by each approved grant; (v) geographic location of the approved grant recipient clinic; and (vi) average size of approved grants              $500,000

1201-0130For the department of revenue, which may expend for the operation of the department not more than $27,938,953 from revenues collected by the additional auditors for an enhanced audit program; provided, that the auditors shall: (i) locate and identify persons who are delinquent either in the filing of a tax return or the payment of a tax due and payable to the commonwealth; (ii) obtain the delinquent returns; and (iii) collect the delinquent taxes; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the department may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system…              $27,938,953

1201-0160For the child support enforcement division; provided, that the department of revenue may allocate funds appropriated in this item to other state agencies for the performance of certain child support enforcement activities and those agencies may expend funds for the purposes of this item; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, all such allocations shall be reported to the house and senate committees on ways and means upon the allocation of the funds; provided further, that federal receipts associated with the child support computer network shall be drawn down at the highest possible rate of reimbursement and deposited into a revolving account to be expended for the network; provided further, that federal receipts associated with child support enforcement grants shall be deposited into a revolving account to be drawn down at the highest possible rate of reimbursement and shall be expended for the grant authority; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the department shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the balance, year-to-date and projected receipts and year-to-date and projected expenditures, by subsidiary, of the child support trust fund established in section 9 of chapter 119A of the General Laws; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the department may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system for federal incentives and the network in items 1201-0165, 1201-0410 and 1201-0412              $41,499,059

1201-0164For the child support enforcement division, which may expend not more than $6,630,552 from the federal reimbursements awarded for personnel and lower subsidiary-related expenditures; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the division may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $6,630,552

1201-0400For the operation of the multi-agency illegal tobacco task force established in section 40 of chapter 64C of the General Laws              $1,053,990

1201-0911For the costs associated with expert witnesses retained by the department of revenue to resolve tax disputes; provided, that expenditures from this item shall be the lesser of $294,030 or the amount certified by the secretary of administration and finance under section 156 of chapter 139 of the acts of 2012              $294,030

1232-0100For underground storage tank reimbursements to parties that have remediated spills of petroleum products under chapter 21J of the General Laws; provided, that priority for payment of approved claims shall be given to claimants who own or formerly owned not more than 4 dispensing facilities              $10,000,000

Underground Storage Tank Petroleum

Product Cleanup Fund................100%

1232-0200For the Underground Storage Tank Petroleum Cleanup Fund Administrative Review Board established in section 8 of chapter 21J of the General Laws and for the administration of the underground storage tank program associated with the implementation of said chapter 21J; provided, that notwithstanding section 4 of said chapter 21J or any other general or special law to the contrary, appropriations made in this item shall be sufficient to cover the administrative expenses of the underground storage tank program; and provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the board shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the status of the underground storage tank program including, but not limited to, the: (i) number of municipal grants made for the removal and replacement of underground storage tanks; (ii) reimbursements for remediated petroleum spills; (iii) number of backlog claims; (iv) average waiting period for claims granted in the past year; and (v) number of tanks not in compliance with said chapter 21J              $2,879,613

Underground Storage Tank Petroleum

Product Cleanup Fund................100%

1233-2000For the tax abatement program for certain veterans, widows, blind persons and the elderly; provided, that cities and towns shall be reimbursed for the abatements granted under clauses Seventeenth, Twenty-second, Twenty-second A, Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C, Twenty-second D, Twenty-second E, Twenty-second F, Thirty-seventh, Thirty-seventh A, Forty-first, Forty-first B, Forty-first C, Forty-first C 1/2 and Fifty-second of section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws; provided further, that the commonwealth shall reimburse each city or town that accepts said clause Forty-first B or said clause Forty-first C of said section 5 of said chapter 59 for additional costs incurred in determining eligibility of applicants under said clause Forty-first B or said clause Forty-first C of said section 5 of said chapter 59 not more than $2 per exemption granted; and provided further, that funds in this item shall be available for reimbursements to cities and towns for additional exemptions granted from the motor vehicle excise under the seventh paragraph of section 1 of chapter 60A of the General Laws              $24,038,075

1233-2350For the distribution to cities and towns of the balance of the State Lottery and Gaming Fund under clause (c) of the second paragraph of section 35 of chapter 10 of the General Laws and additional aid to municipalities as provided for in section 3              $1,270,595,794

General Fund....................89.09%

Gaming Local Aid Fund.............10.91%

1233-2400For reimbursements to cities and towns in lieu of taxes on state-owned land under sections 13 to 17, inclusive, of chapter 58 of the General Laws              $51,465,476

1233-2401For reimbursements to qualifying cities and towns for additional educational costs under chapter 40S of the General Laws              $750,000

Appellate Tax Board.

1310-1000For the operation of the appellate tax board              $2,432,745

1310-1001For the appellate tax board, which may expend not more than $400,000 in revenues collected from fees; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the board may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $400,000

1410-0010For the operation of the department of veterans’ services; provided, that the secretary of veterans' services may transfer funds between 1410-0010, 1410-0012, 1410-0015, 1410-0018, 1410-0024, 1410-0075, 1410-0251, 1410-0400, 1410-0630, 1410-1616 and 1410-1700; provided further, that funds may be transferred from said items to items 4180-0100, and 4190-0100; provided further, that not less than 30 days in advance of any such transfer, the secretary shall notify the house and senate committees on ways and means; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, Inc. to support the distribution of food to veterans in need in the counties of Barnstable, Bristol and Hampden; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the department of veterans’ services in the town of Ludlow for services including, but not limited to, monthly veterans’ lunches, food pantry supports and outreach programming; and provided further, that not less than $5,000 shall be expended for the Pat Ledoux Post No. 9397, V.F.W. OF U.S., INC. in the town of Hampden to purchase a surveillance system              $8,158,565

1410-0012For services to veterans, including the maintenance and operation of outreach centers; provided, that said outreach centers shall provide counseling to incarcerated veterans and to Vietnam war era veterans who may have been exposed to agent orange and the families of those veterans; provided further, that said outreach centers shall provide services to veterans who were discharged after September 11, 2001 and the families of those veterans; provided further, that the department of veterans’ services shall make a payment of not less than the amount appropriated for each outreach center funded by this item in fiscal year 2023; provided further, that not later than April 1, 2024, the department shall submit a comprehensive report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing for each outreach center receiving funds under this item: (i) the number of veterans served annually; and (ii) the cost and types of programs, including evidence-based or evidence-informed programs, offered to veterans; provided further, that not less than $2,500,000 shall be expended for clinical care, education and training in veterans’ mental and behavioral health issues, including post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, substance use disorder and suicide prevention administered by the Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended as a grant to the Veterans' Association of Bristol County, Inc.; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for improvements to the Portuguese American War Veterans’ Post 1 in the city of Peabody; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for Vietnam Veterans of Massachusetts, Inc. to aid veterans in the commonwealth with filing claims for medical and financial benefits; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for the MetroWest Veterans Services District for programs including, but not limited to, the Veterans Relief Assistance Fund; and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Western Massachusetts Veterans Outreach Project for its Just Ask program              $10,544,222

1410-0015For the women veterans’ outreach program; provided, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended to: (i) hire additional staff for women veteran outreach; (ii) centralize the administration of services; and (iii) expand transitional support for women veterans returning to the commonwealth including, but not limited to, available benefits and community programs for women veterans              $828,545

1410-0018For the department of veterans’ services, which may expend not more than $760,000 for the maintenance and operation of veterans’ cemeteries in the town of Winchendon and in the city known as the town of Agawam from revenue collected from fees, grants, gifts and other contributions to the cemeteries              $760,000

1410-0024For the training and certification of veterans’ benefits and services officers              .$372,418

1410-0075For the Train Vets to Treat Vets program; provided, that the department of veterans’ services shall work in conjunction with William James College, Inc. to administer a behavioral health career development program for returning veterans              $275,000

1410-0250For veterans’ homelessness services; provided, that the department of veterans’ services shall expend not less than the amount appropriated for each veterans’ homelessness service funded by this item in fiscal year 2023; provided further, that not later than April 1, 2024, the department shall submit a comprehensive report to the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs and the house and senate committees on ways and means including, but not limited to, the: (i) the list of veterans’ homelessness services receiving funds through this account in the current fiscal year; (ii) the amount of funding received by each veterans’ homelessness service; (iii) the number of veterans served annually by each veterans’ homelessness service; and (iv) the estimated percentage of homeless veterans receiving homelessness services per county in the current year; provided further, that not less than $914,000 shall be expended for the Disabled American Veterans Department of Massachusetts Service Fund, Inc. to provide counseling and benefits assistance to disabled veterans and their families; and provided further, that not less than $63,000 shall be expended to the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. for veterans’ housing and homelessness prevention, food security and transportation services, including a contract for services with the Cape Cod & Islands regional group of the Blinded Veterans Association              $4,305,655

1410-0251For the maintenance and operation of homeless shelters and transitional housing for veterans at the New England Center and Home for Veterans located in the city of Boston              $3,500,000

1410-0400For reimbursements to cities and towns for money expended for veterans’ benefits and for payments to certain veterans under section 6 of chapter 115 of the General Laws and for the payment of annuities to certain disabled veterans and the parents and un-remarried spouses of certain deceased veterans, including deceased veterans who were residents of the Soldiers’ Home in Massachusetts, located in the city of Chelsea, and the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke whose death occurred due to the 2019 novel coronavirus; provided, that annuity payments made under this item shall be made under sections 6A, 6B and 6C of said chapter 115; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, 100 per cent of the amounts of veterans’ benefits paid by cities and towns to residents of a soldiers’ home, homeless shelter or transitional housing facility shall be paid by the commonwealth to said cities and towns; provided further, that under section 9 of said chapter 115, the department of veterans’ services shall reimburse cities and towns for the cost of United States flags placed on the graves of veterans on Memorial Day; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department shall continue a training program for veterans’ agents and directors of veterans’ services in cities and towns; provided further, that the department shall provide such training in several locations across the commonwealth; provided further, that such training shall be provided annually and on an as-needed basis to veterans’ service organizations to provide information and education regarding the benefits available under said chapter 115 and all other benefits to which a veteran or a veteran’s dependents may be entitled; provided further, that any person applying for veterans’ benefits to pay for services available under chapter 118E of the General Laws shall also apply for medical assistance under said chapter 118E to minimize costs to the commonwealth and its municipalities; provided further, that veterans’ agents shall complete applications authorized by the executive office under said chapter 118E for a veteran, surviving spouse or dependent applying for medical assistance under said chapter 115; provided further, that the veterans’ agent shall file the application for the veteran, surviving spouse or dependent for assistance under said chapter 118E; provided further, that the executive office of health and human services shall act on all chapter 118E applications and advise the applicant and the veterans’ agent of the applicant’s eligibility for said chapter 118E health care; provided further, that the veterans’ agent shall advise the applicant of the right to assistance for medical benefits under said chapter 115 pending approval of the application for assistance under said chapter 118E of the General Laws by the executive office of health and human services; provided further, that the secretary of veterans’ services may supplement health care under said chapter 118E with health care coverage under said chapter 115 if the secretary determines that supplemental coverage is necessary to afford the veteran, surviving spouse or dependent sufficient relief and support; provided further, that payments to, or on behalf of, a veteran, surviving spouse or dependent under said chapter 115 shall not be considered income for determining eligibility under said chapter 118E; and provided further, that benefits awarded under said section 6B of said chapter 115 shall be considered countable income              .$68,209,878

1410-0630For the administration of the veterans’ cemeteries in the town of Winchendon and in the city known as the town of Agawam              $1,378,005

1410-1616For war memorials; provided, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to the U.S.S. Massachusetts Memorial Committee, Incorporated for the maintenance and care of historic naval vessels; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to the city of Salem to support a Massachusetts national guard indoor historical exhibit recognizing the city of Salem as the birthplace of the national guard; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for Veterans park in the town of Ware; and provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the town of North Andover to construct a veterans’ memorial at North Andover middle school              $600,000

1410-1700For the provision of information technology services within the executive office of veterans' services              $4,157,231

1450-1200For the operation of the health policy commission; provided, that the commission shall provide all materials presented at any of its public meetings to the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than 15 days after the public meeting              $11,436,606

1599-0026For a reserve to support municipal improvements; provided, that not less than $3,000,000 shall be expended for the District Local Technical Assistance Fund established under section 2XXX of chapter 29 of the General Laws, including projects that encourage regionalization, to be administered by the division of local services within the department of revenue and distributed through the District Local Technical Assistance Fund; provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be provided to regional planning agencies to assist municipalities with federal grant opportunities; provided further, that not less than $5,000,000 shall be transferred to the executive office of public safety and security for a competitive grant program for public safety and emergency staffing to be administered by the executive office; provided further, that the grants shall be awarded to communities using the same methodology and criteria used in fiscal year 2023; provided further, that grant funds under this item shall only be provided to communities that submitted qualifying applications that were approved by the executive office of public safety and security in fiscal year 2023; provided further, that not more than 4 per cent of funds appropriated for the grant program shall be expended for the administrative costs of the program; and provided further, that not later than February 15, 2024, each state entity administering grant funds through this item shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing grants awarded through this item and the criteria used for distribution; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the purchase of solar speed signs to facilitate a traffic and speed reduction plan in the town of Lynnfield; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended for the design and permitting of the Claybrook road culvert at Trout brook in the town of Dover; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the hiring of a sustainability coordinator in the town of Medfield; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for upgrades to the audio system, equipment and wiring in upper town hall in the town of Milford; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for the installation of water bottle filling stations in municipal facilities in the town of Wrentham; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for disability accessibility upgrades to municipally-owned buildings in the town of West Boylston; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for sewer engineering and interim wastewater management solutions in the town of Colrain; provided further, that not less than $80,000 shall be expended to the town of Foxborough to provide a local match for federal funding awarded to study the feasibility and design of regional sewer infrastructure along the United State highway route 1 corridor in the town and other municipalities in the region; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to the town of Georgetown for a bridge feasibility study of the Mill street bridge; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to the town of West Newbury for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure safety improvements; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to the town of Manchester-by-the-Sea for wastewater treatment plant floodproofing efforts; provided further, that not less than $95,000 shall be expended to the town of Rockport to purchase pump station equipment for the Dock square pump station; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to the town of Ipswich for the creation of the regional animal control shelter; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended as a grant to the town of Westport for information technology infrastructure improvements and upgrades; and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Leyden to support municipal vehicles and equipment for municipal departments              $10,805,000

1599-0093For contract assistance to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust including, but not limited to, the debt service obligations of the trust, principal forgiveness, interest rate reduction and other subsidies or financial assistance under sections 6 and 18 of chapter 29C of the General Laws              $63,383,680

1599-0105For a reserve for costs associated with the delivery of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder at county correctional facilities under section 98 of chapter 208 of the acts of 2018; provided, that the secretary of administration and finance, in consultation with the commissioner of public health, may transfer funds from this item to state agencies as defined in section 1 of chapter 29 of the General Laws; and provided further, that not less than 30 days before any such transfer, the secretary shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the amount to be given to each state agency, delineated by item              .$18,500,000

1599-1211For a reserve to meet the expenses associated with the implementation of chapter 253 of the acts of 2020, including the shared administrative costs of the permanent commissions established in sections 72 to 75, inclusive, of chapter 3 of the General Laws; provided, that the secretary of administration and finance may transfer funds from this item to state agencies as defined in section 1 of chapter 29 of the General Laws; and provided further, that the secretary shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on any such transfer              $200,000

1599-1970For a reserve for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to defray the costs of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, or its successor, incurred in fiscal year 2024 under section 138 of chapter 27 of the acts of 2009              $125,000,000

Commonwealth Transportation Fund......100%

1599-1977For contract assistance and other payments to the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency for payment of debt service and related obligations in connection with bonds issued by the agency under chapter 293 of the acts of 2006, as amended by chapter 129 of the acts of 2008, chapter 238 of the acts of 2012, chapter 287 of the acts of 2014 and chapter 219 of the acts of 2016; provided, that not later than January 31, 2024, the secretary of administration and finance shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the estimated contract assistance and other payments to be required under said chapter 293 of the acts of 2006, said chapter 238 of the acts of 2012, said chapter 287 of the acts of 2014 and said chapter 219 of the acts of 2016 for obligations existing not later than July 1, 2023, in fiscal years 2025 and 2026 and an estimate of anticipated contract assistance and other payments arising out of potential agreements reasonably expected to be entered into after July 1, 2023, in fiscal years 2025 and 2026…              $13,000,000

1599-2003For the Uniform Law Commission; provided, that prior fiscal year payments may be payable from this item              $66,780

1599-3234For the South Essex sewerage district debt service assessment              $33,914

1599-3384For a reserve for the payment on behalf of a state agency as defined under section 1 of chapter 29 of the General Laws under regulations promulgated by the comptroller, of certain court judgments, settlements and legal fees that were ordered to be paid in the current fiscal year or a prior fiscal year; provided, that the office of the comptroller shall not pay attorneys’ fees to outside counsel representing a state agency, including a state official or employee who is sued for actions undertaken within that individual’s scope of employment for the commonwealth, in litigation before a court until the office of the attorney general has reviewed and provided written approval for the outside counsel's bills, which may be reviewed in redacted form if warranted because of a conflict of interest; provided further, that the office of the comptroller shall not pay attorneys’ fees for outside counsel representing a state agency in such litigation that exceeds a cumulative amount of $250,000 until the secretary of administration and finance or a designee has reviewed and provided written approval for such attorneys’ fees for outside counsel; provided further, that before a state official or employee who is sued for actions undertaken within that individual’s scope of employment for the commonwealth may seek reimbursement from this item, that individual shall obtain written approval from the office of the attorney general in a form to be approved by the office of the comptroller; provided further, that the office of the comptroller shall not pay a settlement of litigation before a court on behalf of a state agency that is not within an executive office identified under section 2 of chapter 6A of the General Laws, including a state official or employee who is sued for actions undertaken within that individual’s scope of employment for the commonwealth, until the office of the attorney general has reviewed and provided written approval for such a settlement; provided further, that the office of the comptroller shall not pay a settlement of litigation before a court that exceeds $250,000 on behalf of a state agency that is not within an executive office identified under said section 2 of said chapter 6A, including a state official or employee who is sued for actions undertaken within that individual’s scope of employment for the commonwealth, until the secretary of administration and finance or a designee has reviewed and provided written approval for such a settlement; provided further, that the office of the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the 5-year historical expenditure average as certified by the secretary of administration and finance or the current appropriation, whichever is greater; provided further, that the comptroller shall submit quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the amounts expended from this item, delineated by item; and provided further, that upon written notification to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means, uncommitted and unobligated funds from this item may be transferred to item 0612-0105 upon the request of the state treasurer              $15,000,000

1599-3856For rent and associated costs at the Massachusetts information technology center in the city of Chelsea              $500,000

1599-6903For the fiscal year 2024 costs of rate implementations under chapter 257 of the acts of 2008; provided, that rate implementations under said chapter 257 may include, but shall not be limited to, costs associated with any court order or settlement between providers of services and the commonwealth related to the rate implementation process; provided further, that home care workers shall be eligible for funding from this item; provided further, that workers from shelters and programs that serve homeless individuals and families that were previously contracted through the department of transitional assistance and the department of public health who are currently contracted with the executive office of housing and livable communities and direct care workers that serve homeless veterans through the department of veterans' services shall be eligible for funding from this item; provided further, that no funds from this item shall be allocated to special education programs under chapter 71B of the General Laws, contracts for early education and care services or programs for which payment rates are negotiated and paid as class rates as established by the executive office of health and human services; provided further, that no funds shall be allocated from this item to contracts funded exclusively by federal grants as delineated in section 2D; provided further, that the secretary of administration and finance may transfer from the sum appropriated in this item to other items of appropriation and allocations thereof for fiscal year 2024, amounts that are necessary to meet these costs where the amounts otherwise available are insufficient for the purpose; provided further, that the executive office for administration and finance shall submit quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means on transfers made from this item; provided further, that the report shall identify, by item and service class, all transfers made from this item as of the date of the report and all transfers expected to be made before the end of the fiscal year; provided further, that not later than February 1, 2024, the executive office of health and human services shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the implementation of rates under chapter 257 of the acts of 2008, including, the: (i) state costs for rates promulgated as of July 1, 2023, by regulation, department and program; (ii) state costs for rates promulgated as of January 1, 2024, by regulation, department and program; (iii) per cent of increase in state funding for rates to be reviewed between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, by regulation, department and program; and (iv) fiscal impact for increases in state funding versus prior fiscal year actual costs for rates to be reviewed between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, by regulation, department and program; provided further, that not later than April 1, 2024, the executive office of health and human services shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the implementation of ongoing and proposed initiatives that increase the hourly wages and compensation of the direct care human service workforce; provided further, that this report shall include: (a) average uniform financial report provider data on employee tax and fringe benefit information of the preceding 2 state fiscal years, as validated with information from the uniform financial report or a method determined by the executive office; (b) median salary and compensation information of the preceding 2 state fiscal years classified by direct care and front-line staff, medical and clinical staff and management staff, as validated with information from the uniform financial report or a method determined by the executive office; (c) a comparison of the median salary for each classification of staff position with the fiftieth percentile wage estimate for that position as determined by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics for the commonwealth using the available data for that rate review; and (d) a comparison of the median salary for each classification of staff position with the fiftieth percentile wage estimate for that position as determined by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics for the commonwealth in the most recent available data; and provided further, that any human service provider receiving revenue under said chapter 257 and any home care agency subcontracting with such human service providers to provide home care services shall use not less than 75 per cent of received funds for compensation for their direct care, front-line and medical and clinical staff, which may include, but shall not be limited to, hourly rate increases, wraparound benefits, shift differentials, overtime, hiring and retention bonuses or recruitment, as defined by the executive office              $173,000,000

1599-7106For the Warren Conference Center and Inn to support academic and professional training opportunities in the fields of hospitality and tourism management…              $1,500,000

Human Resources Division.

1750-0100For the operation of the human resources division and the costs of administration, training and customer support related to the commonwealth’s human resources and compensation management system and the human resource modernization initiative; provided, that any employee of the commonwealth who chooses to participate in a bone marrow donor program shall be granted a leave of absence without loss or reduction in pay to undergo the medical procedure and for associated physical recovery time, but such leave shall not exceed 5 days              .$12,131,312

1750-0103For the operation of the Training and Career Ladder Program              $780,000

1750-0104For the human resources division, which may expend for the administration of the civil service examination program, examinations for non-civil service positions and implementation of the medical and physical fitness standards programs              $5,861,298

1750-0119For payment of workers’ compensation benefits to certain former employees of Middlesex and Worcester counties; provided, that the human resources division shall routinely recertify the former employees under current workers’ compensation procedures              $54,666

1750-0300For the commonwealth’s contributions in fiscal year 2024 to health and welfare funds established under certain collective bargaining agreements; provided, that the contributions shall be calculated as provided under the applicable collective bargaining agreements and shall be paid to the health and welfare trust funds on a monthly basis or on such other basis as the applicable collective bargaining agreement shall provide              $33,651,721

1750-0928For the cost to lease or rent space to administer the civil service physical abilities tests and to revalidate civil service exams, including police and fire medical standards              $766,880

Operational Services Division.

1775-0115For the operational services division, which may expend not more than $14,551,748 in revenues collected from the statewide contract administrative fee to procure, manage and administer statewide contracts; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the division may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $14,551,748

1775-0124For the operational services division, which may expend not more than $113,358 from revenues collected in the recovery of cost reimbursement and non-reimbursable overbilling and recoupment for health and human service agencies and as a result of administrative reviews as determined during the division’s audits and reviews of providers under section 22N of chapter 7 of the General Laws; provided, that the division may only retain revenues collected in excess of $100,000; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the division may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $113,358

1775-0600For the operational services division, which may expend not more than $455,602 in revenues collected from the sale of state surplus personal property and the disposal of surplus motor vehicles including, but not limited to, state police vehicles from vehicle accident and damage claims and from manufacturer warranties, rebates and settlements for the payment, expenses and liabilities for the acquisition, warehousing, allocation and distribution of surplus property and the purchase of motor vehicles; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the division may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system, including the costs of personnel              $455,602

1775-0700For the operational services division, which may expend not more than $200,000 in revenues collected in addition to the amount authorized in item 1775-1000 of section 2B for printing, photocopying, related graphic art or design work and other reprographic goods and services provided to the general public, including all necessary or incidental expenses; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the division may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $200,000

1775-0900For the operational services division, which may expend not more than $22,000 in revenues collected under chapter 449 of the acts of 1984 and section 4L of chapter 7 of the General Laws, including the costs of personnel, from the sale of federal surplus property, including the payment, expenses and liabilities for the acquisition, warehousing, allocation and distribution of federal surplus property; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the division may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $22,000

Supplier Diversity Office.

1780-0100For the operation and administration of the supplier diversity office; provided, that the office shall provide training and other services to diverse businesses, as defined in section 58 of chapter 7 of the General Laws, and certified by the office that allow those businesses to better compete for state contracts and ensure that equitable practices and policies in the public marketplace are maintained; provided further, that the office shall administer an electronic business certification application which shall be accessible to business applicants through the internet; provided further, that the office shall ensure the integrity and security of personal and financial information transmitted by electronic application; and provided further, that the office shall use all existing available resources to provide certification services to all supplier diversity office-qualified applicants within or outside of the commonwealth, as applicable              $3,979,905

EXECUTIVE OFFICE oF TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND SECURITY.

1790-0100For the operation of the executive office of technology services and security; provided, that the executive office shall continue a chargeback system for its information technology services; provided further, that the comptroller shall establish accounts and procedures as the comptroller deems necessary and appropriate to assist in accomplishing the purposes of this item; provided further, that the executive office may establish rules and procedures necessary to implement this item; provided further, that the chief information officer shall review and approve any planned information technology development project or purchase by any agency under the authority of the governor for which the total projected cost exceeds $200,000, including the cost of any related hardware, software or consulting fees and regardless of fiscal year or source of funds, before the agency may obligate funds for the project or purchase; provided further, that not later than June 28, 2024, the secretary of technology services and security shall submit to the office of the state auditor, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight a complete accounting of and justification for all project-related expenditures totaling $250,000 or more over the previous 12-month period regardless of source of funds or authorization for such expenditure; and provided further, that not later than February 15, 2024, the executive office shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance, the office of the state auditor and the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) financial statements detailing savings and, where applicable, additional expenses realized from the consolidation of information technology services within each executive office and other initiatives; (ii) the number of personnel assigned to information technology services within each executive office; (iii) efficiencies that have been achieved from the sharing of resources; (iv) the status of the centralization of the commonwealth's information technology staffing, infrastructure and network and cloud hosting; (v) the status of the commonwealth's cybersecurity; and (vi) strategies and initiatives to further improve the: (a) efficiency and security of the commonwealth's information technology; and (b) transparency of the executive office of technology services and security with the general court, other executive branch agencies and the general public              $3,206,008

1790-0300For the executive office of technology services and security, which may expend not more than $2,733,931 in revenues collected from the provision of computer resources and services to the general public for the costs of the bureau of computer services, including the purchase, lease or rental of telecommunications lines, services and equipment; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the executive office may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $2,733,931

1790-1700For core technology services and security, including those previously funded through item 1790-0200 in prior fiscal years              $85,990,905

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS.

Office of the Secretary.

2000-0100For the operation of the office of the secretary of energy and environmental affairs, including the water resources commission, the hazardous waste facility site safety council, the coastal zone management program and environmental impact reviews conducted under chapter 30 of the General Laws; provided, that $150,000 shall be expended for a coastal water quality and natural resource monitoring program in Buzzards bay and Vineyard sound administered by Buzzards Bay Coalition, Inc.; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to the city known as the town of North Attleborough for costs associated with polyfluoroalkyl substance remediation; provided further, that not less than $65,000 shall be expended to the Oak Bluffs water district to conduct an island-wide assessment on the presence of polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Martha's Vineyard aquifer and to recommend strategies for remediation; provided further, that not less than $1,020,000 shall be expended for the administration of the healthy soils program; provided further, that not less than $60,785 shall be expended for environmental and emergency planning for the Fore river area located in the city known as the town of Braintree; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for polyfluoroalkyl substances remediation costs in the town of Avon; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to enter into an agreement with the metropolitan area planning district established in section 26 of chapter 40B of the General Laws to support the development of regional drought management and drinking supply resilience plans in Essex county; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, Inc. for the implementation of environmental preservation programs; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Eastie Farm, Inc. to provide green job pathways for teens and young adults in environmental justice communities, including the development of skills in energy efficiency, conservation and clean energy, to increase the utilization of ecosocial state and city programs including, but not limited to, MassSave and Community Choice Electricity, and to make locally-grown fresh produce available to low-income families in environmental justice communities; and provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for facility improvements at the University of Massachusetts Water and Energy Testing Facility              $20,287,200

2000-0101For the executive office of energy and environmental affairs to coordinate and implement strategies for climate change adaptation and preparedness including, but not limited to: (i) the resiliency of the commonwealth's transportation, energy and public health infrastructures; (ii) built environments; (iii) municipal assistance; (iv) improved data collection and analysis; (v) enhanced planning; and (vi) improved resiliency through the strengthening and revitalization of natural resources, including marshes and other wetlands; provided, that the executive office may enter into interagency service agreements to facilitate and accomplish these efforts..              $10,003,414

2000-0102For the executive office of energy and environmental affairs to implement an environmental justice strategy and promote and secure environmental justice; provided, that funds shall be expended on language translation services to ensure adequate access during public comment periods; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the executive office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means including, but not limited to: (i) the number of personnel hired to support environmental justice initiatives; (ii) efforts to expand language access through verbal and written materials, including the languages in which environmental justice policy and materials have been translated; and (iii) the impact of language access initiatives on participation in public hearings and public comment periods; and provided further, that funds shall be expended on mapping technology to overlay environmental and public health data              $8,804,284

2000-0120For obligations of the commonwealth to neighboring states incurred pursuant to interstate compacts for flood control              $506,140

2000-0121For the food security infrastructure grant program, to support equitable access to healthy, local food and to strengthen food supply and distribution systems; provided, that not later than February 15, 2024, the executive office of energy and environmental affairs shall submit a report to the joint committee on agriculture and the house and senate committees on ways and means including, but not limited to: (i) established grant criteria for the program; (ii) the number of grant applicants; and (iii) a list of successful grant applicants, including summaries of the projects being funded and the grant amounts; and provided further, that in the distribution of grants, the executive office shall prioritize geographic equity              $25,000,000

2000-1011For the office of environmental law enforcement, which may expend not more than $40,000 from the administrative handling charge revenues received from electronic transactions processed through its online licensing and registration systems; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the office may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $40,000

2000-1700For the operation of information technology services within the executive office of energy and environmental affairs              $19,282,062

2030-1000For the operation of the office of environmental law enforcement; provided, that environmental police officers shall provide monitoring under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program; and provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for the protection of right whales by increasing the patrols of the office and its officers’ ability to identify and remove abandoned fishing gear and to enhance their ability to enforce speed restrictions through use of drone technologies to minimize potentially harmful interactions between vessels and right whales              …$15,238,216

2030-1004For environmental police private details; provided, that the office of environmental law enforcement may expend not more than $530,000 in revenues collected from the fees charged for private details; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the office may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $530,000

Department of Public Utilities.

2100-0012For the operation of the department of public utilities; provided, that notwithstanding the second sentence of the first paragraph of section 18 of chapter 25 of the General Laws, the assessments levied for fiscal year 2024 under said first paragraph of said section 18 of said chapter 25 shall be made at a rate sufficient to produce the amount expended from this item and the associated fringe benefit costs for personnel paid from this item              $19,694,595

2100-0013For the operation of the transportation oversight division              $633,385

2100-0016For the department of public utilities to regulate steam distribution companies; provided, that notwithstanding section 18A of chapter 25 of the General Laws, the assessments levied for fiscal year 2024 shall be made at a rate sufficient to produce the amount expended from this item and the associated fringe benefit costs for personnel paid from this item              $408,794

2100-0017For the operation of the division of transportation network services; provided, that the amount assessed under section 23 of chapter 25 of the General Laws shall be made at a rate sufficient to produce the amount expended from this item and the associated fringe benefit costs for personnel paid from this item              $2,011,459

2200-0100For the operation of the department of environmental protection, including the environmental strike force, the bureau of planning and evaluation, the bureau of resource protection, the bureau of waste prevention, the Senator William X. Wall Experiment Station and a contract with the University of Massachusetts for environmental research; provided, that section 3B of chapter 7 of the General Laws shall not apply to fees established in section 18 of chapter 21A of the General Laws; and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Merrimack River Watershed Council, Inc. for a regional approach to reducing combined sewer overflows in the Merrimack river              $51,983,191

2200-0102For the department of environmental protection, which may expend not more than $650,150 in revenues collected from fees for wetland permits; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the department may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $650,150

2200-0107For technical assistance, grants and support of efforts consistent with the Massachusetts Recycling and Solid Waste Master Plan and the Massachusetts Climate Protection Plan; provided, that funds may be expended for a recycling industries reimbursement grant program under section 241 of chapter 43 of the acts of 1997; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the department of environmental protection, in coordination with the department of agricultural resources, to develop and administer a grant program for small businesses located in the commonwealth to implement composting; provided further, that grants may be used by grantees to obtain compost collection containers, procure educational or technical assistance, establish regular collection of food waste and other compostable matter or other similar composting efforts or activities; provided further, that agricultural businesses and food service establishments shall be prioritized in the grant application review process; provided further, that not later than April 1, 2024, the department of environmental protection, in coordination with the department of agricultural resources, shall submit a report to the senate and house committees on ways and means and the joint committee on environment and natural resources on the implementation of the grant program, including, but not limited to, the names and locations of the grantees, the number of pounds of food waste and other compostable matter collected and information about where the waste was diverted; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for the department of environmental protection to develop an employment social enterprise impact pilot program to provide funding for at least 1 nonprofit entity to provide recycling services with the overall goal of fostering job security for individuals facing barriers to employment through the provision of mattress recycling work opportunities; provided further, that eligible applicants shall have a demonstrated history of providing mattress recycling services in the commonwealth as an approved vendor to the department for not less than 5 years; and provided further, that contracts through the program may be awarded for periods of not more than 5 years              $1,149,997

2200-0109For the department of environmental protection for the sole purpose of ensuring sufficient staff for timely permit decisions and compliance assurance              $2,500,000

2200-0112For the department of environmental protection, which may expend not more than $2,500,000 in revenues collected from permit and compliance fees for the sole purpose of ensuring sufficient staff for timely permit decisions and compliance assurance; provided, that if this item is eliminated or reduced in fiscal year 2024 or operational funding for the department falls below the level authorized in the general appropriations act for fiscal year 2015, excluding appropriations for earmarks and nonrecurring operating costs, the fee increase supporting this item shall terminate; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the department may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $2,500,000

2210-0106For the department of environmental protection, which may expend for the administration and implementation of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act, under chapter 21I of the General Laws, not more than $2,888,473 in revenues collected from fees, penalties, grants and tuition under said chapter 21I; provided, that not later than February 1, 2024, the department shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the status of the department’s progress in meeting the statutory and regulatory deadlines associated with said chapter 21I and detailing the number of full-time equivalent positions assigned to various implementation requirements of said chapter 21I; provided further, that not less than $1,629,860 from this item shall be made available for the operation of the Toxics Use Reduction Institute program at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell; provided further, that the department shall enter into an interagency service agreement with the University of Massachusetts to make such funding available for this purpose; provided further, that not less than $644,096 from this item shall be made available for toxics use reduction technical assistance and technology under said chapter 21I; provided further, that the department shall enter into an interagency service agreement with the executive office of energy and environmental affairs to make such funding available for this purpose; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the department may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $2,888,473

2220-2220For the administration and implementation of the federal Clean Air Act under 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., including the operating permit program, the emissions banking program, the auto-related state implementation program, the low emission vehicle program, the non-auto-related state implementation program and the commonwealth’s commitments under the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Regional Climate Change Action Plan for reducing acid rain deposition and mercury emissions              $940,506

2220-2221For the administration and implementation of the operating permit and compliance program required under the federal Clean Air Act under 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.              .$1,722,504

2250-2000For the administration and implementation of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 under section 18A of chapter 21A of the General Laws; provided, that the department of environmental protection may expend funds for the study and remediation of lead in public school drinking water              $2,367,016

2260-8870For the expenses of the hazardous waste cleanup and underground storage tank programs including, but not limited to, monitoring unlined landfills, notwithstanding section 4 of chapter 21J of the General Laws; provided, that the department of environmental protection shall provide the department of revenue with information necessary for the completion of the report required in item 1232-0200 including, but not limited to, the number of tanks out of compliance with said chapter 21J              $15,747,479

2260-8872For the brownfields site audit program              $1,378,862

2260-8881For the operation of the board of registration of hazardous waste site cleanup professionals, notwithstanding section 19A of chapter 21A of the General Laws              .$423,568

Department of Fish and Game.

2300-0100For the office of the commissioner of fish and game; provided, that the commissioner’s office shall assess and receive payments from the division of marine fisheries, the division of fisheries and wildlife, the office of fishing and boating access, the division of ecological restoration, the riverways program and all other programs under the control of the department of fish and game; provided further, that those assessments shall be used to cover appropriate administrative costs of the department including, but not limited to, payroll, personnel, legal and budgetary costs; provided further, that the amount and contribution from each division or program shall be determined by the commissioner; and provided further, that the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund shall be reimbursed annually from the General Fund for all lost revenue attributed to the issuance of discounted and free hunting and fishing licenses              $1,279,247

2300-0101For the division of ecological restoration and the riverways program and for the promotion of public access to rivers and wetland restoration, including grants to public and nonpublic entities; provided, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended as a grant to the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District to support the management of the Assawompset pond complex and contributing and interconnected watersheds within the region including, but not be limited to, sedimentation mitigation, water supply preservation and flood management efforts; provided further, that not less than $60,000 shall be expended as a grant to the Long Pond Association, Inc. in the town of Lakeville for the management and eradication of invasive weeds in Long pond; and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Neponset River Watershed Association, Incorporated for purposes including, but not limited to, a study of the current conditions and future vulnerabilities of the Neponset river estuary, its salt marshes and surrounding watershed lands in the face of climate-driven sea level rise              $5,360,000

2310-0200For the administration of the division of fisheries and wildlife, including expenses of the fisheries and wildlife board, the administration of game farms and wildlife restoration projects, wildlife research and management, the administration of fish hatcheries, the improvement and management of lakes, ponds and rivers, fish and wildlife restoration projects, the commonwealth’s share of certain cooperative fisheries and wildlife programs and for certain programs reimbursable under the federal Aid to Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act; provided, that the division may expend the amount necessary to restore anadromous fish in the Connecticut and Merrimack river systems; and provided further, that no funds shall be spent on the restoration of catadromous fish in the Connecticut and Merrimack river systems unless considered necessary by the division              $17,069,682

Inland Fisheries and Game Fund.........100%

2310-0300For the operation of the natural heritage and endangered species program              .$1,500,000

2310-0306For the hunter safety training program              $530,229

Inland Fisheries and Game Fund.........100%

2310-0316For the purchase of land containing wildlife habitats and for the costs of the division of fisheries and wildlife directly related to the administration of the wildlands stamp program under sections 2A and 2C of chapter 131 of the General Laws              .$1,500,000

Inland Fisheries and Game Fund.........100%

2310-0317For the waterfowl management program established in section 11 of chapter 131 of the General Laws              $65,000

Inland Fisheries and Game Fund.........100%

2320-0100For the administration of the office of fishing and boating access, including the maintenance, operation and improvement of public access land and water areas; provided, that positions funded by this item shall not be subject to chapter 31 of the General Laws              $814,433

2330-0100For the operation of the division of marine fisheries; provided, that the division may expend funds for the Annisquam river marine research laboratory, marine research programs, a commercial fisheries program, a shellfish management program, including coastal area classification, mapping and technical assistance, the operation of the Newburyport shellfish purification plant and a shellfish classification program; provided further, that funds shall be expended on a recreational fisheries program to be reimbursed by federal funds; provided further, that the division shall continue to develop strategies to improve federal regulations governing the commercial fishing industry and to promote sustainable fisheries; provided further, that the division shall expend an amount not less than the amount expended in the prior fiscal year for the operation of the Newburyport shellfish purification plant; provided further, that the division shall offer wet storage and desanding services at the Newburyport shellfish purification plant as laid out in the report dated March 1, 2012; provided further, that for functions not being performed by the plant prior to July 1, 2012, the division may solicit competitive proposals for the utilization of excess processing capacity at the Newburyport shellfish purification plant, which may include proposals to offer wet storage and desanding services at the plant as described in the shellfish purification plant management plan dated March 1, 2012; provided further, that the division shall be under no obligation to consider or implement any proposal that the division determines would displace, impede or otherwise hinder the existing functions of the plant; provided further, that the division may enter into contracts based on proposals received; provided further, that not less than 60 days before entering into contracts, the division shall notify the house and senate committees on ways and means; provided further, that funds shall be expended for a program of collaborative research by the division of marine fisheries through the Marine Fisheries Institute, in collaboration with the School for Marine Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, that applies innovative technology to assess the biomass of fish in the region managed by the New England Fishery Management Council; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for marsh restoration and revitalization including, but not limited to: (i) a green crab trapping program for applied research and product development; (ii) high-resolution drone mapping of the great marsh deterioration; (iii) the continuation of microplastic and macroplastics sampling; and (iv) academic study and processing for water column, beach environment, marsh peat and eel grass; provided further, that not less than $375,000 shall be expended for a program to provide those engaged in commercial fisheries with grants for the purchase and maintenance of safety gear, to be administered in consultation with the Massachusetts Fishermen's Partnership, Inc.; provided further, that eligible items for such grants shall include, but shall not be limited to, life rafts, survival and exposure suits, personal flotation devices, man overboard recovery devices and electronic signaling and tracking devices; and provided further, that individual  grant awards shall not exceed $3,000 and that grants shall be equitably distributed across fisheries and regions              $9,010,231

2330-0120For the division of marine fisheries for a program to enhance and develop marine recreational fishing and related programs and activities, including the cost of equipment, maintenance and staff and the maintenance and updating of data…              $907,826

2330-0121For the division of marine fisheries to utilize reimbursable federal sportfish restoration funds to further develop marine recreational fishing and related programs, including the costs of activities that increase public access for marine recreational fishing, support research on artificial reefs and otherwise provide for the development of marine recreational fishing; provided, that the division may expend not more than $217,989 in revenues collected from federal Sport Fish Restoration Program funds and from the sale of materials which promote marine recreational fishing; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the division may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $217,989

2330-0150For the operation and maintenance of the Newburyport shellfish purification plant, which may expend not more than $75,000 from revenues collected from fees generated by operations; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the division of marine fisheries may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $75,000

2330-0199For conducting surveys to monitor and forecast an abundance of commercially-important invertebrate species in the commonwealth’s waters, including a ventless lobster trap employing the services of contracted commercial lobster fishing vessels in the commonwealth; provided, that the division of marine fisheries may expend not more than $250,000 in revenues collected from fees generated by the sale of lobster permits; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the division may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $250,000

2330-0300For the administration and operation of the recreational saltwater fishing permit program under section 17C of chapter 130 of the General Laws              $2,116,721

Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Fund               100%

Department of Agricultural Resources.

2511-0100For the operation of the department of agricultural resources, including the division of administration, the integrated pest management program, the board of agriculture, the division of agricultural markets, the division of animal health, the division of agricultural conservation and technical assistance, the division of crop and pest services, including a program of laboratory services at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the expenses of the pesticide board and agency costs associated with the administration of other boards, commissions and committees chaired by the department; provided, that not less than $120,000 shall be expended for the Massachusetts Farm to School Project, LLC; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program established in section 65 of chapter 23A of the General Laws; provided further, that not less than $175,000 shall be expended for the apiary inspection program; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Invasive Insects Program; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be allocated for a grant program to be administered by the department in consultation with the Massachusetts food policy council to support local food policy councils; provided further, that not less than $570,000 shall be expended to support the department’s agricultural marketing division; provided further, that not less than $750,000 shall be expended to enhance the Buy Local effort in western, central, northeastern and southeastern Massachusetts; provided further, that any buy local effort included in this item shall include locally-harvested seafood including, but not limited to, fish and shellfish; provided further, that $100,000 shall be expended for the Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund established in section 35WW of chapter 10 of the General Laws; and provided further, that not less than $45,000 shall be expended to the Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control district for mosquito control efforts, equipment and vehicles              $11,826,576

2511-0103For the costs associated with agricultural oversight of hemp and cannabis              .$964,267

Marijuana Regulation Fund............100%

2511-0105For the purchase of supplemental foods for the emergency food assistance program within the Feeding America nationally-certified food bank system; provided, that funds appropriated in this item shall reflect the Feeding America allocation formula in order to benefit the commonwealth’s 4 regional food banks; provided further, that the department of agricultural resources may assess an administrative charge not to exceed 2 per cent of the total appropriation in this item; provided further, that $1,000,000 shall be expended to the commonwealth’s 4 regional food banks for operating funds to distribute food for the Massachusetts emergency food assistance program; and provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended to the Women's Lunch Place, Inc. to provide nutritious food and individualized services for women who are experiencing homelessness or poverty              $36,000,000

2511-0107For the advancement of community food security and the protection of public access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food; provided, that not less than $47,000 shall be expended to Community Harvest Project, Inc. in the town of Grafton for the purchase of a tractor; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to Somebody Cares New England, Inc. in the city of Haverhill for the operation of its food pantry and to combat food insecurity in the community; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for Ministerio los Milagros de Jesus, Inc. in the city of Lawrence to alleviate hunger and malnutrition for low-income and moderate-income families and unhoused and elderly residents; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended for the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition; provided further that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Salem food pantry to support a mobile market in the city of Salem; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be provided to the Regional Environmental Council, Inc. to support its programs and operations; provided further that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Charles River Regional Chamber, Inc. to provide grants to independent restaurants located in the city of Newton to supply prepared meals and other food products to food banks serving the city of Newton and senior and other programs addressing food insecurity needs of individuals in the city of Newton; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Sustainable CAPE – Center for Agricultural Preservation & Education-Foundation, Inc. for a local food access, education and affordability program; provided further, that not less than $5,000 shall be expended for the Easton Food Pantry, Inc. in the town of Easton; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for Cooperative Development Institute, Inc. for the Assabet Co-op Market in the town of Maynard for construction and support necessary to open and sustain the market; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for Harvest on Vine’s food pantry in the Charlestown section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for Everett Community Growers, Inc. in the city of Everett; provided further, that not less than $85,000 shall be expended to Bread of Life, Inc. in the city of Malden for furnishings and equipment; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to Dwelling House of Hope, Inc. in the city of Lowell; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for World Farmers, Inc. in the town of Lancaster for its farming operations and farmers markets; provided further, that not less than $10,000 shall be expended for food services at East Boston Community Soup Kitchen, Inc. in the East Boston section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $10,000 shall be expended for food services at the Grace Church Federated in the East Boston section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $10,000 shall be expended for food services at the Friday Night Supper Program, Inc. in the Back Bay section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $45,000 shall be expended for the food pantry run by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul located behind Saint Joseph Church in the town of Lincoln; provided further, that no less than $50,000 shall be expended for the operation of the Catholic Charities food pantry in the city of Lynn; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Rose's Bounty food pantry to help fulfill food insecurity needs for residents of the southwest neighborhood of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended equally to The Open Door/Cape Ann Food Pantry, Inc. and Our Neighbors’ Table, Inc. for food distribution, nutrition, education and other support programs serving communities throughout Essex county; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to Project Just Because, Inc. to upgrade and expand its perishable food storage including, but not limited to, the purchase of walk-in refrigeration or freezer units; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the MetroWest Food Collaborative; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to Seeds of Solidarity Education Center, Inc. in the town of Orange for healthy soils work and educational programming; provided further, that not less than $56,250 shall be expended for Community Action Pioneer Valley, Inc. for a program center and food pantry in the city of Greenfield; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Food Link, Inc. to address food insecurity in the city of Woburn and the towns of Arlington, Billerica, Burlington and Lexington; and provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to the Billerica Community Pantry, Incorporated in the town of Billerica              $1,328,250

2511-3002For the integrated pest management program              $74,084

2800-0100For the operation of the department of conservation and recreation; provided, that notwithstanding section 3B of chapter 7 of the General Laws, the department shall establish or renegotiate fees, licenses, permits, rents and leases and adjust or develop other revenue sources to fund the maintenance, operation and administration of the department; provided further, that prior to taking any action that would result in removing the building located at 107 Charles Street in the city of Newton or that would result in the displacement of organizations currently authorized to use the building, the department shall conduct a public hearing on the future use of the building including, but not limited to, assessing whether there are alternative local sites to accommodate organizations currently using the building, identifying additional local public uses of the building, including its use in support of the Riverway trail system, and determining any costs and funding sources to maintain or improve the building for such purposes; and provided further, that the public hearing shall be scheduled not less than 120 days prior to any proposed change of use or control of the building and shall be conducted in the city of Newton with notification of such hearing provided directly to the city of Newton and to the organizations currently authorized to use the building              $6,543,734

2800-0101For the watershed management program to operate and maintain reservoirs, watershed lands and related infrastructure of the department of conservation and recreation and the office of water resources in the department; provided, that the amount of the payment shall be charged to the General Fund and shall not be included in the amount of the annual determination of fiscal year charges to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority assessed to the authority under the General Laws; provided further, that the department shall continue to make payments under chapter 616 of the acts of 1957; provided further, that the department shall continue to make payments under chapter 307 of the acts of 1987 for the use of certain land; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Central Plymouth County Water District commission’s annual budget for the improvement and management of lakes and ponds in the Central Plymouth County Water District; and provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended as a grant to the town of Rochester to partner with the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District and other experts to support a hydrological evaluation of Snipatuit pond and the water supply carrying capacity and watershed boundaries of the Mattapoisett river valley and the Assawompset pond complex              $1,666,595

2800-0401For a program to provide stormwater management for all properties and roadways under the care, custody and control of the department of conservation and recreation              $3,249,762

2800-0500For the existing maintenance, operational and infrastructure needs of the metropolitan beaches under section 70 of chapter 3 of the General Laws              $965,282

2800-0501For the operation of the beaches, pools and spray pools under the control of the department of conservation and recreation; provided, that the seasonal hires of the department’s parks, beaches, pools and spray pools shall be paid from this item; provided further, that said beaches, pools and spray pools shall remain open and staffed from Memorial Day to Labor Day, inclusive; provided further, that said beaches, pools and spray pools shall be fully maintained; provided further, that seasonal employees who are hired before the second Sunday preceding Memorial Day, whose employment continues beyond the Saturday following Labor Day and who received health insurance benefits in fiscal year 2023, shall continue to receive such benefits in fiscal year 2024 during the period of said employees’ seasonal employment; provided further, that notwithstanding section 1 of chapter 31 of the General Laws, seasonal positions funded by this item shall be positions requiring the services of an incumbent, on either a full-time or less than full-time basis, beginning not earlier than April 1 and ending not later than November 30 or beginning not earlier than September 1 and ending not later than April 30; and provided further, that notwithstanding said section 1 of said chapter 31, seasonal positions funded by this item shall not be filled by an incumbent for more than 8 months within a 12-month period              $24,325,119

2800-0700For the office of dam safety; provided, that the office shall, in collaboration with the department of environmental protection and the department of fish and game, establish and maintain a comprehensive inventory of all dams and develop a coordinated permitting and regulatory approach to dam removal for stream restoration and public safety              $675,676

2810-0100For the operation of the division of state parks and recreation; provided, that funds appropriated in this item shall be used to: (i) operate all of the division’s parks, parkways, boulevards, roadways, bridges and related appurtenances under the care, custody and control of the division, flood control activities of the division, reservations, campgrounds, beaches and pools; (ii) oversee skating rinks; and (iii) protect and manage the division’s lands and natural resources, including the forest and parks conservation services and the bureau of forestry development; provided further, that all properties that were open in fiscal year 2023 shall be open in fiscal year 2024; provided further, that the crossing guards located at department of conservation and recreation intersections shall continue to perform the duties where state police previously performed such duties; provided further, that the division may issue grants to public and nonpublic entities from this item; provided further, that up to $3,000,000 may be used to support the costs of snow and ice removal; provided further, that the department shall take steps to address personnel needs in a manner that is geographically equitable; provided further, that not later than January 31, 2024, the department shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the hires made for division personnel in fiscal year 2024; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law, rule, regulation, or administrative directive to the contrary, the commissioner of conservation and recreation may fill not more than 1,300 full-time positions…              $104,882,351

2810-0122For special projects relating to the commonwealth’s state parks and recreational areas; provided, that not less th an $40,000 shall be expended to the Lake Quinsigamond commission for its environmental, educational and public safety operations and activities; provided further, that not less than $35,000 shall be expended for accessibility improvements at Dean park in the town of Shrewsbury; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the testing and treatment of cyanobacteria and related contaminants in Monponsett pond in the town of Halifax; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for improvements to the playground and landscaping at the site of the former R L Wood school in the city of Haverhill; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for improvements to the Deborah Sampson park recreational facility in the town of Sharon; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the city of Attleboro for costs associated with repairing and improving the Holden street canoe launch; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended for a feasibility study, design, improvements, improved connectivity, wayfinding, construction and maintenance of walking, biking and hiking trails in the town of Canton; provided further, that not less than $23,500 shall be expended for Camp Kiwanee in the town of Hanson for beach renovations and a new playground; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Northborough for the renovation, restoration or demolition of the reservoir dam; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Sandwich for sport court surfacing and related improvements in town recreation areas; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to repair and improve the water management system for the herring fisheries waterways in the town of Pembroke; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended for improvements to the Cross street playground in the city of Westfield; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to Webster Lake Association, Inc. for an infrastructure project at Memorial beach in the town of Webster; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the city of Haverhill for repairs and improvements to Gale park; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Roslindale Gateway Path project in the Roslindale section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $85,000 shall be expended to the city of Newton for beautification and stormwater improvements to the historic Cheesecake Brook park and waterway; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the city of Malden to establish an arboretum at Forest Dale cemetery; provided further, that not less than $55,000 shall be expended to the town of North Andover for the construction of pickleball courts; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Friends of the Public Garden, Inc. to expand new infrastructure for public bathroom accessibility at the Boston Common and Boston Public Garden in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for a multi-use trail in Blessing of the Bay park in the city of Somerville to connect to a larger trail network; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for multimodal traffic safety improvements at the high-crash intersection of Alewife Brook parkway and Broadway in the city of Somerville; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to develop a vegetation succession and management plan for Torbert Macdonald state park in the city of Medford with a particular focus on tree inventory, original park design intent, view corridors and the promotion of park usage; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Dracut for the purchase of equipment for the department of public works; provided further, that not less than $27,000 shall be expended for enhancements to recreation areas in the town of Paxton; provided further, that not less than $33,000 shall be expended for the preservation, protection, signage and maintenance of historic prison camp structures in the town of Rutland; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the city of Beverly for recreation area renovations and improvements; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Danvers for improvements to the tennis courts at the Holten Richmond middle school; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the city of Peabody for the design and construction of George Peabody park; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the city of Salem for improvements to the playground at Witchcraft Heights elementary school; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to  the city of Salem for improvements to the main entrance to the Salem common, in consultation with the Friends of Salem Common, Inc.; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended to the town of Groton for Destination Groton to procure trail signage; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for the Blue Hills Trailside Museum in the town of Milton; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for recreational facilities in the town of Holliston; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Natick for design work to make accessibility improvements along the Cochituate Aqueduct trail; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended to the town of Natick for costs associated with a feasibility study for extending Sudbury Aqueduct trail; and provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended as a grant to the town of Lakeville for improvements to the Peach Barn and associated properties on Betty’s Neck              $2,838,500

2820-0101For the costs associated with the department of conservation and recreation’s park rangers specific to the security of the state house; provided, that funds appropriated in this item shall only be expended for the costs of security and park rangers at the state house              $2,692,063

2820-2000For the operation of street lighting and the expenses of maintaining the parkways of the department of conservation and recreation              $3,730,000

Department of Energy Resources.

7006-1001For the Massachusetts residential conservation service program under chapter 465 of the acts of 1980 and the Massachusetts commercial and apartment conservation service program under section 11A of chapter 25A of the General Laws; provided, that the assessments levied for fiscal year 2024 under said chapter 465 shall be made at a rate sufficient to produce the amount expended from this item and the associated fringe benefit costs for personnel paid from this item              $248,589

7006-1003For the operation of the department of energy resources; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the amount assessed under section 11H of chapter 25A of the General Laws shall be made at a rate sufficient to produce the amount expended from this item and the associated fringe benefit costs for personnel paid from this item              $5,207,018

Executive Office of Education.

3000-1000For the administration of the department of early education and care; provided, that the department shall report on the first business day of each month to the joint committee on education, the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the executive office for administration and finance on the unduplicated number of children on waiting lists for state-subsidized early education and care programs and services, including supportive child care services; provided further, that notwithstanding chapter 66A of the General Laws, the department of early education and care, the child care resource and referral agencies, the department of elementary and secondary education, the department of transitional assistance, the department of children and families, the executive office of housing and livable communities, the Children’s Trust Fund established in section 50 of chapter 10 of the General Laws, the disabled persons protection commission, the district attorneys’ offices and the early intervention program within the department of public health may share with each other personal data regarding the parents and children who receive services provided under early education and care programs administered by the commonwealth for waitlist management, program implementation and evaluation, reporting and policy development purposes; provided further, that the department shall issue monthly reports detailing the number and average cost of voucher and contracted slots funded by the department for items 3000-3060 and 3000-4060 delineated by age category; provided further, that said reports shall include the number of recipients subject to subsection (f) of section 110 of chapter 5 of the acts of 1995; provided further, that the department of early education and care shall provide the caseload forecasting office and the house and senate committees on ways and means with enrollment data and any other information pertinent to caseload forecasting that is requested on a monthly basis; provided further, that the information shall be provided in a manner that meets all applicable federal and state privacy and security requirements; provided further, that up to $25,000,000 in unexpended funds from items 3000-3060 and 3000-4060 in fiscal year 2023 shall not revert but shall be made available for those items in fiscal year 2024 to support a reimbursement rate increase for center-based subsidized early education and care for salaries, benefits and stipends for professional development of early educators; provided further, that funds made available for this purpose shall be used to increase the reimbursement rate by an appropriate percentage for all such providers; provided further, that funds made available for this purpose shall be expended for increasing the daily add-on rate for comprehensive early education services for children with active cases at the department of children and families; provided further, that the commissioner of early education and care may transfer funds between items 3000-3060 and 3000-4060, as necessary, for this purpose, under an allocation plan that shall detail, by object class, the distribution of the funds to be transferred and which shall be submitted to the house and senate committees on ways and means not less than 30 days before any such transfer; provided further, that not less than $450,000 shall be expended to Jumpstart for Young Children, Inc. to support evidence-based early childhood education programs that promote language, literacy and social emotional skill development for preschool children from underserved communities; and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of Boston to provide infant mental health endorsement training for early education and care providers              $12,141,537

3000-1020For early education and care quality supports to improve and sustain educational quality among providers of early education and care and to assist early educators and providers in attaining higher levels of proficiency, skill and quality; provided, that supports funded through this item shall include, but not be limited to, program quality improvements related to meeting the Massachusetts Quality Rating and Improvement System standards; provided further, that costs related to department of early education and care personnel who support quality improvement may be funded from this item, including the department's licensing staff and other personnel who ensure compliance with state and federal requirements for inspections, monitoring and training; provided further, that funds from this item may support the Massachusetts universal pre-kindergarten program and early childhood mental health consultation services; provided further, that supports funded through this item may include, but shall not be limited to: (i) the development and purchase of curricula; (ii) the development and implementation of early childhood assessment systems; (iii) incentives for programs to recruit, develop and retain highly qualified educators; (iv) activities that encourage providers to obtain associate and bachelor’s degrees; (v) payment of fees; (vi) direct assistance to programs seeking accreditation by agencies approved by the board of early education and care; and (vii) professional development courses; and provided further, that any payment made under any such grant to a school district shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city, town or regional school district and held as a separate account and, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town or regional school district without municipal appropriation              $46,706,191

3000-1041For a reimbursement rate increase for center-based subsidized early education and care for salaries, benefits and stipends for professional development for early educatiors; provided, that funds appropriated in this item shall be used to increase such reimbursement rate by an appropriate percentage for all such providers, including family child care programs; and provided further, that funds shall be expended for increasing the daily add-on rate for comprenhensive early education services for children with active cases at the department of children and families              .$20,000,000

3000-1045For grants to support and stabilize the early education and care workforce and address varied operational costs at state child care programs supervised by the department of early education and care; provided, that the distribution of stabilization grants shall prioritize equity and early education programs with higher percentages of state subsidized enrollment; provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating programs, including, but not limited to, the: (i) number of enrolled children; (ii) number of educators employed; (iii) efforts to recruit and retain employees; (iv) available demographic data of the families served by participating providers; and (v) percentage of grant funding spent on salaries, compensation, workforce training and facilities improvements; provided further, that the department shall submit quarterly reports on the distribution of funds from this item to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education; provided further, that each report shall include, but not be limited to: (a) a description of the formula through which funding is allocated to providers; (b) an analysis of the incorporation of equity into said formula, including the projected disbursement of funding to state subsidized and non-state subsidized child care programs; (c) an analysis of the demographic data of the families served by participating programs including, but not limited to, the number of children served in: (1) communities with a high social vulnerability index; and (2) communities with an area median income of up to 85 per cent of the state median income; and (d) a description of the efforts undertaken to improve the distribution of funds to providers serving high-needs populations; provided further, that funds may be expended by the department for technical assistance related to the administration and distribution of funding; and provided further, that funds may be expended to support data collection technology, personnel and supports related to this item              $475,000,000

High-Quality Early Education & Care

Affordability Fund.................51.58%

General Fund....................48.42%

3000-2000For the regional administration and coordination of services provided by child care resource and referral agencies              $20,000,000

3000-2050For the administration of the Children’s Trust Fund established in section 50 of chapter 10 of the General Laws; provided, that the department of early education and care shall not exercise any supervision or control with respect to the board of the trust fund; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for a Stop Abuse For Every (SAFE) Child community pilot program to provide, coordinate and expand core services for families; provided further, that core services shall include, but not be limited to, home visiting, social and behavioral health services, substance use treatment and parental resiliency programs; provided further, that the pilot program shall support the coordination of services and referrals using existing resources; and provided further, that not later than December 15, 2023, the Children’s Trust Fund shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities on the progress of the pilot program and the mobilization of services at the family centers              $1,873,770

3000-2060For evidence-informed, adult-focused child sexual abuse prevention initiatives that provide technical assistance to communities, youth-serving organizations and schools to: (i) organize local coalitions dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse; (ii) recruit, train and certify local volunteers to provide free prevention education for parents, students and professionals; and (iii) strengthen the core standards around the screening of prospective employees, the development of codes of conduct, the assessment and modification of physical spaces to reduce opportunities for sexual abuse, the responding to and reporting of boundary-violating behaviors and suspected acts of sexual abuse and the training of staff and volunteers on ways to prevent adult perpetration and child-on-child sexual abuse; provided further, that initiatives supported through this item shall be administered by the Children’s Trust Fund established in section 50 of chapter 10 of the General Laws and the office of the child advocate; and provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for Massachusetts Citizens for Children, Inc. to provide technical assistance to and training for schools and communities              $2,350,000

3000-3060For early education and care services for children with active cases at the department of children and families, for families currently involved with, or transitioning from, transitional aid to families with dependent children and for families participating in education and training services funded by the supplemental nutrition assistance program; provided, that providers shall be reimbursed for subsidized child care services funded under this item based on enrollment; provided further, that the department of early education and care, in collaboration with the department of children and families, shall maintain a centralized list detailing the number of children eligible for services under this item, the number of supportive slots filled and the number of supportive slots available; provided further, that for children with active cases at the department of children and families, funds may be used to provide services during a transition period of not less than 12 months upon the closure of the family’s case with the department of children and families; provided further, that in the case of families involved with transitional aid to families with dependent children, early education and care shall be available to: (i) recipients of transitional aid to families with dependent children benefits; (ii) former participants who are working for up to 12 months after termination of their benefits; (iii) participants who are working for up to 12 months after the transitional period; and (iv) parents who are under 18 years of age who are currently enrolled in a job training program and who would qualify for benefits under chapter 118 of the General Laws but for the consideration of the grandparents’ income; provided further, that all teens eligible for year-round, full-time early education and care services shall be participating in school, education, work and training-related activities or a combination thereof for at least the minimum number of hours required by regulations; provided further, that recipients of transitional aid to families with dependent children shall not be charged fees for care provided under this item; provided further, that early education and care services for families involved with transitional aid to families with dependent children funded from this item shall be distributed geographically in a manner that provides fair and adequate access to early education and care for all eligible individuals; provided further, that informal early education and care benefits for families involved with transitional aid to families with dependent children may be funded from this item; provided further, that the commissioner of early education and care may transfer funds to this item from item 3000-4060, as necessary, under an allocation plan, which shall detail by object class the distribution of the funds to be transferred and which the commissioner shall submit to the house and senate committees on ways and means not less than 30 days prior to the transfer; provided further, that not later than April 16, 2024, the commissioner shall submit a preliminary report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the executive office for administration and finance on the projected expenses for the program that shall include, but not be limited to, the expected surplus or deficiency for the program; provided further, that not later than June 30, 2024, if the department determines that the available appropriation for this program will be insufficient to meet projected expenses, the commissioner shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the executive office for administration and finance detailing the amount of appropriation needed to address the deficiency; provided further, that reimbursements for services rendered in prior fiscal years may be expended from this item; provided further, that the department of early education and care shall recoup funds owed related to payments made by the department in prior fiscal years by reducing payments for services related to this item in fiscal year 2024; and provided further, that all children eligible for services under this item shall receive such services              $355,783,167

3000-4060For income-eligible early education and care programs; provided, that providers shall be reimbursed for subsidized child care services funded under this item based on enrollment; provided further, that teen parents and homeless families identified as likely to become eligible for transitional aid to families with dependent children may be paid from this item; provided further, that informal early education and care benefits for families meeting income-eligibility criteria may be funded from this item; provided further, that early education and care services funded under this item shall be distributed geographically in a manner that provides fair and adequate access to early education and care for all eligible individuals; provided further, that the commissioner of early education and care may transfer funds to this item from item 3000-3060, as necessary, pursuant to an allocation plan, which shall detail, by object class, the distribution of the funds to be transferred and which the commissioner shall submit to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the executive office for administration and finance not less than 30 days prior to the transfer; provided further, that not more than 3 per cent of the funds appropriated in this item may be transferred in fiscal year 2024 as set forth in a plan submitted by the department of early education and care; provided further, that said plan shall be submitted to the joint committee on education, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the executive office for administration and finance; provided further, that not later than April 16, 2024, the commissioner shall submit a preliminary report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the executive office for administration and finance on the projected expenses for the program that shall include, but not be limited to, the expected surplus or deficiency for the program; provided further, that not later than June 30, 2024, if the department determines that the available appropriation for this program will be insufficient to meet projected expenses, the commissioner shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the executive office for administration and finance detailing the amount of appropriation needed to address such deficiency; provided further, that reimbursements for services rendered in prior fiscal years may be expended from this item; provided further, that the department shall recoup funds owed related to payments made by the department in prior fiscal years by reducing payments for services related to this item rendered in fiscal year 2024; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any payment made under any such grant with a school district shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city, town or regional school district and held as a separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town or regional school district without municipal appropriation              $417,992,201

3000-5000For grants to head start programs; provided, that funds from this item may be expended on early head start programs              $17,500,000

3000-6025For grants in fiscal year 2024 to support planning and implementation activities in cities, towns, regional school districts or educational collaboratives to expand pre-kindergarten or preschool opportunities on a voluntary basis to children who will be eligible for kindergarten by September 2025; provided, that planning and implementation grants may be awarded through a competitive process established by the department of early education and care utilizing the Massachusetts Preschool Expansion Grant public-private partnership model; provided further, that preference in awarding grants shall be given to districts serving high percentages of high-needs students; provided further, that additional preference in awarding planning grants may be given to districts to update strategic expansion plans completed in prior fiscal years; provided further, that additional preference in awarding implementation grants shall be given to districts that have completed strategic planning efforts that support expanding access to high-quality preschool through the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative; provided further, that not later than March 15, 2024, the department shall submit a report to the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the status of planning and implementation activities supported through this item and item 1596-2412, which shall include, but not be limited to, the: (i) districts that submitted applications for grant funding; (ii) recipients of grant funding; (iii) anticipated number of children served by recipients; (iv) size of awarded grants by recipient; and (v) recipients’ workforce development efforts; provided further, that funds from this item may be used to provide administrative support to grantees, including technical assistance and program evaluation; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds distributed from this item shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative and held in a separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative without further appropriation; and provided further, that funds may be expended for programs or activities during the summer months              .$15,000,000

3000-6075For early childhood mental health consultation services in early education and care programs in the commonwealth; provided, that preference shall be given to those services designed to limit the number of expulsions and suspensions from the programs and to early education and care programs serving high percentages of high-needs students; provided further, that funding may be used to support programming and services to address mental health concerns including, but not limited to, outreach, training for educators to respond to mental health challenges, support for educators, including peer group support, and an expansion of current services; and provided further, that eligible recipients for such grants shall include municipal school districts, regional school districts, educational collaboratives, head start programs, licensed child care providers, child care resource and referral centers and other qualified entities              $5,000,000

General Fund....................50.00%

Behavioral Health Outreach, Access

and Support Trust Fund.............50.00%

3000-7000For statewide neonatal and postnatal home parenting education and home visiting programs for at-risk newborns to be administered by the Children’s Trust Fund, established in section 50 of chapter 10 of the General Laws; provided, that such services shall be made available statewide to parents under 24 years of age; provided further, that the department of early education and care shall collaborate with the Children's Trust Fund, when appropriate, to coordinate services provided through this item with services provided through item 3000-7050 to ensure that parents receiving services through this item are aware of all opportunities available to them and their children through the department; provided further, that the Children’s Trust Fund shall oversee the maintenance of a participant data system; and provided further, that priority for such services shall be given to low-income parents              $17,523,039

3000-7040For the department of early education and care, which may expend not more than $320,000 for contingency contracts related to pursuing federal reimbursement or avoiding costs in its capacity as the single state agency under Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act, as codified at 42 U.S.C. chapter 7, subchapter IV, part E; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, these contingency contracts shall not exceed 3 years except with prior review and approval by the executive office for administration and finance; and provided further, that for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the department may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $320,000

3000-7050For the coordinated family and community engagement grant program, which shall establish a statewide network of supports for early education; provided, that the department of early education and care shall distribute grants not later than August 31, 2023 in order to allow a full year of service for families involved in these programs; provided further, that the department shall, to the maximum extent feasible, coordinate services provided through this item with services provided through item 3000-7000 in order to ensure that parents receiving services through this item are aware of all opportunities available to them and their children through the department; provided further, that eligible recipients for such grants shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the Massachusetts Family Networks program; (ii) municipal school districts; (iii) regional school districts; (iv) educational collaboratives; (v) the parent-child plus program; (vi) head start programs; (vii) other school readiness and family support programs; (viii) licensed child care providers; and (ix) child care resource and referral centers; provided further, that supports funded through this item shall be in alignment with the quality requirements of the Massachusetts universal pre-kindergarten program and the Massachusetts Quality Rating and Improvement System; and provided further, that the department may expend funds from this item on grants for supplemental services for children with individualized education plans              $11,699,190

3000-7052For the parent-child plus program, also known as the parent-child home program…………………………………………………………………$4,250,000

3000-7055For the Neighborhood Villages Inc. pilot program to provide high-quality, economically-integrated infant and toddler classrooms that demonstrate best practices for supporting children, families and the early childhood workforce and establish infrastructure to facilitate wraparound health and wellness programming for children and families; provided, that funds shall be used to support high-quality early education and care classroom instruction and workforce development training; provided further, that funds shall be used to allow for the enhancement, coordination and alignment of early learning programs with community-based health providers and those resources that impact outcomes across health and early learning; and provided further, that the pilot program shall serve to identify resources and promising practices that inform efforts to support school-readiness and ensure the healthy development and well-being of children and families              .$1,000,000

3000-7066For professional development and higher education opportunities and supports for early educators to be coordinated by the department of early education and care in conjunction with the Massachusetts community colleges; provided, that programming shall focus on the statewide recruitment and training needs of the early education and care workforce, encourage opportunities for career advancement and retention and incorporate early education and care stakeholder, employer and industry collaboration; and provided further, that professional development opportunities shall be consistent with the core competencies and career pathways established by the department and in accordance with the recommendations of the early education and care workforce council, established under section 79 of chapter 154 of the acts of 2018              $10,000,000

3000-7070For Reach Out and Read, Inc.; provided, that the funds distributed through Reach Out and Read, Inc. shall be contingent upon a match of not less than $1 in private or corporate contributions for every $1 in state grant funding              $1,000,000

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND hUMAN SERVICES.

4000-0005For youth violence prevention program grants administered by the executive office of health and human services; provided, that the grants shall be targeted at reducing youth violence among young persons at highest annual risk of being perpetrators or victims of gun and community violence; provided further, that not later than February 15, 2024, the secretary of health and human services shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing: (i) successful grant applications; (ii) the criteria used in selecting grant recipients; (iii) a set of clearly-defined goals and benchmarks on which grant recipients shall be evaluated; and (iv) outcomes and findings that demonstrate program success from the grant awards for fiscal year 2023; provided further, that funds may be set aside for the administration of these programs; provided further, that these funds shall be available to those municipalities with the highest number of annual youth homicides and serious assaults as determined by the executive office; and provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Inc. for the operation of comprehensive educational programming on gun violence and gun violence prevention…              $12,650,000

4000-0007For housing and supportive services for unaccompanied youth under section 16X of chapter 6A of the General Laws; provided, that not later than March 1, 2024, the executive office of health and human services shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on: (i) the number of youths served through this item; (ii) the types of services received by participating youths; (iii) the number of youths who transition into stabilized housing and the zip code of the stabilized housing; (iv) the number of youths who remain in stabilized housing after 90 days, when applicable; (v) other quantifiable data related to client outcomes as determined by the secretary; (vi) the number of youths turned away from the program; and (vii) the amount of funding awarded to vendors for the delivery of services and the names of each vendor              $11,000,000

4000-0009 For the office of health equity established in section 16AA of chapter 6A of the General Laws; provided, that the office may enter into service agreements with the department of public health to fulfill the obligations of the office; provided further, that not later than December 29, 2023, the office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on its development within the executive office of health and human services and the implementation of programming as set forth in said section 16AA of said chapter 6A, including personnel costs and an organizational structure plan              $100,000

4000-0014For the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, Inc. to provide training to community health workers who serve as the patient link to medical and social services for the disenfranchised population throughout the Worcester and MetroWest regions              $200,000

4000-0020For the nursing and allied health workforce development initiative, to develop and support strategies that increase the number of public higher education faculty members and students who participate in programs that support careers in fields related to nursing and allied health workforce; provided, that funds in this item may be transferred to the Massachusetts Nursing and Allied Health Workforce Development Trust Fund established in section 33 of chapter 305 of the acts of 2008; provided further, that funds shall be transferred to the fund according to an allotment schedule adopted by the executive office for administration and finance; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, not less than $500,000 shall be expended to establish a partnership incentive grant program between public higher education institutions and health care providers for the purpose of expanding the nursing and allied health workforce; provided further, that the grant program shall support financial incentives to health care providers that partner with public higher education institutions by offering clinical partnerships, the use of health care staff to teach courses and other innovative supports to increase the nursing and allied health workforce pipeline; provided further, that not less than $100,000 of said funds shall be expended to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth for the purpose of partnering with the Southcoast Hospitals Group, Inc. to develop and implement innovative strategies to increase the nursing and allied health workforce pipeline; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the executive office of health and human services shall submit a report to the joint committee on public health, the joint committee on health care finance, the joint committee on higher education and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the expenditures from the Massachusetts Nursing and Allied Health Workforce Development Trust Fund and short and long term strategies to increase the number of public and private higher education faculty and students who participate in programs that support careers in fields related to nursing and allied health; and provided further, that the report shall include details on the grant program including, but not limited to: (i) established grant criteria; (ii) a list of grant recipients, including grant amounts; and (iii) summaries of the successful grant proposals              $1,500,000

4000-0050For the operation of the PCA quality home care workforce council established in section 71 of chapter 118E of the General Laws              $2,811,797

4000-0051For the operation and support of the network of child and family service programs throughout the commonwealth, including family resource centers supported through this item and item 4800-0200; provided, that centers within this item shall: (i) be consistent with the requirements under section 16U of chapter 6A of the General Laws; (ii) demonstrate adherence to an evidence-based model of service; and (iii) use measurable outcomes to assess quality; provided further, that the secretary of health and human services shall maintain the fiscal year 2023 contract with a third-party administration service organization to oversee the execution of, and the agency’s compliance with, subsection (b) of said section 16U of said chapter 6A; provided further, that not later than April 1, 2024, the executive office of health and human services shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance, the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing, but not limited to: (a) the number of children and families served at each center; (b) the types of programs; (c) program outcomes; (d) client feedback; and (e) progress on data sharing between centers; and provided further, that the network of child and family service programs shall coordinate with the executive office, the department of early education and care and municipal police departments to provide emergency assistance to missing or absent children at times when the juvenile court is not open, consistent with the requirements under section 39H of chapter 119 of the General Laws              $500,000

4000-0054For the executive office of health and human services to enhance and expand access to mental and behavioral health supports and services; provided, that not less than $100,000,000 shall be expended to enhance an existing student loan repayment assistance program for health professionals providing mental and behavioral health care; provided further, that the program shall prioritize health professionals who dedicate all of their practice hours to providing mental and behavioral health care; provided further, that such funds shall be administered by the executive office or by an organization under contract with the executive office; provided further, that the enhanced student loan repayment assistance program may include awards for: (i) psychiatrists to provide assistance of up to $300,000 per individual; (ii) physicians in community health centers and psychologists to provide assistance of up to $150,000 per individual; (iii) master’s degree-level mental health professionals including, but not limited to, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, advance practice registered nurses and pediatric clinical nurse specialists, to provide assistance of up to $50,000 per individual; (iv) bachelor’s degree-level mental health professionals including, but not limited to, community health workers, recovery coaches and family partners, to provide assistance of up to $30,000 per individual; (v) psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners to provide assistance of up to $100,000 per individual; and (vi) mental health workers to provide assistance of up to $40,000 per individual; provided further, that the loan repayment assistance program shall prioritize the recruitment and retention of providers of diverse backgrounds who can provide linguistically and culturally tailored care and providers who practice in underserved and geographically isolated areas; provided further, that the loan repayment assistance program shall consider average pay for comparable positions across behavioral health settings and prioritize loan repayment assistance for those applicants receiving comparably lower average pay; provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 of funds for the loan repayment assistance program shall be expended to mental and behavioral health professionals serving justice-involved populations; provided further, that to be eligible for loan repayment assistance under this item, an individual shall: (a) provide behavioral health care in the commonwealth in the following settings or service areas: (1) a community health center; (2) a community mental health center; (3) an inpatient psychiatric hospital; (4) an acute care hospital; (5) outpatient treatment; (6) substance use disorder treatment; (7) assessment and treatment of children with co-occurring developmental needs; or (8) state-run or state-contracted programs or settings, including school-based behavioral health providers; (b) have outstanding educational debt; (c) not participate in any other loan repayment program; and (d) be required to enter into a contract with the commonwealth for not less than 4 years; provided further, that the amounts of assistance per individual shall be pro-rated for individuals working on a part-time basis; provided further, eligible providers that previously applied to the existing student loan repayment assistance program between December 5, 2022 and January 30, 2023 and were determined eligible but were not funded, shall be considered for an award using these funds without needing to submit a second application; provided further, that such eligible applicants, who were not funded, may be expedited and approved using these funds; provided further, that the executive office shall promulgate regulations for the administration and enforcement of the loan repayment assistance program under this item which shall include penalties and repayment procedures if a participating individual fails to comply with program requirements; provided further, that not less than 45 days prior to the allocation or obligation of funds for the loan repayment assistance program, the executive office shall submit a comprehensive program plan to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery and the joint committee on health care financing; provided further, that the office of behavioral health promotion shall expend not less than $500,000 on a campaign to promote and bring awareness to the public about programs designed to bolster the behavioral health workforce in the commonwealth; provided further, that the office of behavioral health promotion shall expend not less than $700,000 on a public awareness campaign to promote the availability and utilization of a no-cost annual mental health wellness exam and other consumer protection provisions included in chapter 177 of the acts of 2022; provided further, that not less than $25,000,000 shall be expended for a scholarship program, which shall be administered by the executive office of health and human services; provided further, that said program shall prioritize the recruitment and retention of a culturally and linguistically diverse workforce; provided further, that said program shall prioritize applicants and placements in areas of highest need; provided further, that said program shall prioritize current health care providers seeking career advancement through additional education, training, certification or licensure; provided further, that scholarships shall be provided for tuition, fees and stipends; provided further, that scholarship recipients shall commit to working in inpatient, outpatient, acute care, substance use treatment, community- and clinic- based settings or for state organizations or organizations that are under contract with the executive office including, but not limited to, the department of mental health, the department of public health, the department of developmental services and the department of children and families; provided further, that the executive office shall promulgate regulations for the administration and enforcement of the scholarship program under this item, which shall include penalties and repayment procedures if a participating individual fails to comply with program requirements; provided further, that not less than 45 days prior to the allocation or obligation of funds for the scholarship program, the executive office shall submit a comprehensive program plan to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery and the joint committee on health care financing; provided further, that not less than $25,000,000 shall be expended to provide stipends to support unpaid clinical hours required for field placements, internships, apprenticeships and practicums necessary for completing educational requirements or obtaining certification or licensure; provided further, that said program shall prioritize bachelor’s degree-level and master’s degree-level candidates completing their unpaid internships, apprenticeship or practicum at health care facilities with the highest relevant workforce needs; provided further, that said program shall prioritize the recruitment and retention of a culturally and linguistically diverse workforce; provided further, that the funds shall be administered by the executive office of health and human services; provided further, that the executive office shall promulgate regulations for the administration and enforcement of the stipend program under this item; provided further, that not less than $20,000,000 shall be expended to establish new, or enhance existing, clinical supervision of students pursuing degrees in behavioral health and behavioral health providers-in-training pursuing certification or licensure; provided further, that such clinical supervision incentive program shall provide incentives to clinical supervisors working in community based settings who are required to provide unreimbursed supervision to students and clinicians-in-training who are working toward certification or licensure; provided further, that the clinical supervision incentive program shall prioritize providers of diverse backgrounds and providers who practice in underserved and geographically isolated areas; provided further, that the funds for the clinical supervision incentive program shall be administered by the executive office; provided further, that the executive office shall promulgate regulations for the administration and enforcement of the clinical supervision incentive program under this item; provided further, that not less than $5,000,000 shall be expended to the MASStrong Program to provide evidence-based and trauma-informed group peer behavioral health support to health care workers; provided further, that not less than $10,000,000 shall be expended for a bridge program to help students in kindergarten to grade 12, inclusive, to transition into the communities following an extended absence due to mental health crises; provided further, that a student may be eligible for the bridge program whether or not their absence was due to hospitalization; provided further, that the bridge program shall be accessible to students in every geographic region of the commonwealth; provided further, that not less than $3,000,000 shall be expended to assist mental and behavioral health professionals with 1-time training or practice costs including, but not limited to, exam preparation, license and certification fees and continuing education; provided further, that said funds shall prioritize providers of diverse backgrounds and providers working in health care settings with high workforce needs; provided further, that the executive office of health and human services, in coordination with the health policy commission and the division of insurance, shall expend not less than $500,000 for the purpose of conducting or contracting for a comprehensive study and analysis of rates paid for behavioral health services by both private and public payers and the adequacy of said rates to support the provision of equitable, quality behavioral health services in the commonwealth; provided further, that $500,000 shall be expended for the bureau of health professions licensure within the department of public health to conduct a study of licensure and certification processes for the behavioral health workforce; provided further, that said study shall include the total number of licensed and certified behavioral health providers in the commonwealth, a demographic analysis of said providers, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, spoken languages, socioeconomic status, education level, outstanding educational debt and years of practice in the field, and an analysis of license application processing metrics, such as wait and processing times, for initial and renewing professionals; provided further, that the bureau of health professions licensure may contract with an outside entity to help conduct said study; provided further, that not later than June 28, 2024, the bureau shall submit its findings, including any barriers to accessing data required by this section, in a final report to the health policy commission, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the clerks of the senate and house of representatives; provided further, that not less than $1,800,000 shall be expended by the executive office of health and human services for a behavioral health workforce development center to recruit, retain and develop a diverse, experienced behavioral health workforce that can provide linguistically and culturally tailored care across the commonwealth, prioritizing rural and underserved communities; provided further, that the center shall study and establish baseline behavioral health workforce needs throughout the commonwealth and develop recommendations and strategies to meet those needs; and provided further, that annually, beginning on July 1, 2024, the center shall make its recommendations available publicly and shall submit a copy to the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on health care financing and the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery              $192,000,000

Behavioral Health Trust Fund.............100%

4000-0250For the executive office of health and human services, which may expend not more than $15,000,000 from monies received from the commonwealth health insurance connector authority for the costs of the operation and maintenance of the health insurance exchange; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenue and related expenditures, the executive office may incur expenses and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              $15,000,000

4000-0300For the operation of the office of the executive office of health and human services, including the operation of the managed care oversight board; provided, that not less than $5,100,000 shall be expended for a proactive communications plan with MassHealth members regarding eligibility redeterminations; provided further, that the executive office shall continue to develop and implement the common client identifier; provided further, that funds appropriated in this item shall be expended for administrative and contracted services related to the implementation and operation of programs under chapter 118E of the General Laws; provided further, that in consultation with the center for health information and analysis, no rate increase shall be provided to existing Medicaid provider rates without taking all measures possible under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. chapter 7, subchapter XIX, to ensure that rates of payment to providers shall not exceed the rates that are necessary to meet the cost of efficiently and economically operated providers in order to provide services of adequate quality; provided further, that no expenditures, whether made by the executive office or another commonwealth entity, shall be made that are not federally reimbursable, including those related to Titles XIX or XXI of the federal Social Security Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. chapter 7, subchapters XIX or XXI, the MassHealth demonstration waiver approved under subsection (a) of section 1115 of Title XI of the federal Social Security Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. 1315(a), or the community first section 1115 demonstration waiver under said section 1115 of said Title XI of the federal Social Security Act, codified at 42 U.S.C 1315, except as required for: (i) the administration of the executive office; (ii) as required for the equivalent of MassHealth Standard benefits for children under 21 years of age who are in the care or custody of the department of youth services or the department of children and families; (iii) as required for dental benefits provided to clients of the department of developmental services who are 21 years of age or older; (iv) the payments related to services delivered in institutions for mental disease for which federal financial participation is not otherwise available; (v) as required for cost-containment efforts, the purposes and amounts of which shall be submitted to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means not less than 30 days before making these expenditures; or (vi) otherwise as explicitly authorized with the prior written approval of the secretary of administration and finance; provided further, that the executive office of health and human services may continue to recover provider overpayments made in the current and prior fiscal years through the Medicaid management information system and these recoveries shall be considered current fiscal year expenditure refunds; provided further, that the executive office may collect directly from a liable third party any amounts paid to contracted providers under said chapter 118E for which the executive office later discovers another third party is liable if no other course of recoupment is possible; provided further, that, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the commissioner of mental health shall approve any prior authorization or other restriction on medication used to treat mental illness under written policies, procedures and regulations of the department of mental health; provided further, that not later than January 16, 2024, the executive office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the: (a) number of members served in the dual eligible initiative; (b) average expenditure per member; (c) average expenditure per member before the demonstration project; and (d) number of clients that receive care at skilled nursing facilities; provided further, that not later than December 29, 2023, the executive office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on health care financing detailing utilization in fiscal year 2023 of the Health Safety Net Trust Fund established in section 66 of said chapter 118E, including the: (1) number of persons whose medical expenses were billed to the Health Safety Net Trust Fund; (2) total dollar amount billed to the Health Safety Net Trust Fund; (3) age, income level and insurance status of recipients using the Health Safety Net Trust Fund; (4) types of services paid for out of the Health Safety Net Trust Fund; and (5) amount disbursed from the Health Safety Net Trust Fund to each hospital and community health center; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the executive office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on health care financing on: (A) total spending related to pharmaceutical utilization for fiscal year 2023; (B) estimated spending related to pharmaceutical utilization for fiscal year 2024; (C) the actual and estimated revenue amounts, both in the form of supplemental rebates and federal financial participation, received in fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2024 as a result of total pharmaceutical spending; (D) total or projected savings amounts delivered from supplemental rebate negotiations in fiscal year 2024; and (E) the relative impact of price and utilization of pharmaceutical drugs added to the MassHealth drug list within fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2024; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the executive office of health and human services, in consultation with office of Medicaid, shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance, the joint committee on health care financing and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the review of wage payment rates for the provision of continuous skilled nursing care, as established in 101 CMR 350.04, 101 CMR 361, and 101 CMR 453, including: (I) an aggregated overview of the wage payment rates paid by home health agencies to staff or contracted nurses providing continuous skilled nursing care, including any increases in said wage rates resulting from increases in Medicaid rates paid to home health agencies for continuous skilled nursing care; (II) an aggregated overview of the proportion of the Medicaid reimbursement rate paid directly as wages and benefits to nurses providing continuous skilled nursing care through a home health agency that contracts with MassHealth; (III) an aggregated breakdown of said wage rates as applied to the acuity level of patients receiving continuous skilled nursing care; (IV) an aggregated breakdown of said wage rates as applied to the licensure level of the providers of continuous skilled nursing care; (V) state costs for wage rates promulgated in state fiscal years 2020 to 2023, inclusive, by regulation, department and program; (VI) the fiscal impact of increases in state funding versus prior fiscal year actual costs for wage rates promulgated for state fiscal years 2020 to 2023, inclusive, by regulation, department and program; and (VII) recommendations on information to be included in any future reporting by home health agencies receiving an increase of continuous skilled nursing care rates provided by the office of Medicaid; provided further, that home health agencies providing continuous skilled nursing care shall provide all information and documentation requested by the executive office of health and human services to compile the required report; provided further, that the executive office shall submit quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on health care financing summarizing the projected total costs for the next fiscal year of pharmaceutical pipeline drugs identified by the executive office and expected to be made available for utilization within a 12-month period from the submission date of the report; provided further, that this report shall not identify the specific drugs, manufacturer identities or wholesale acquisition costs of individual drugs identified by the department; provided further, that the office of Medicaid shall coordinate with the health policy commission in the development of care delivery and payment models in the MassHealth program, including patient-centered medical homes and accountable care organizations, in order to ensure alignment of such models with the commission’s certification programs under sections 14 and 15 of chapter 6D of the General Laws; provided further, that not later than January 16, 2024, the executive office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the methodology used to project caseload and utilization in fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2024; provided further, that by the fifteenth day of the subsequent month, the executive office shall submit monthly MassHealth caseload reports in a searchable electronic format to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended to address gender-affirming care concerns for transgender and gender-diverse people and to provide case management and care navigation support, education, and training to assist health care facilities, individual practitioners and other health care providers in providing gender-affirming care and identifying providers for referral and consultation for gender-affirming care; provided further, that not less than $650,000 shall be expended for the Massachusetts Consultation Service for Treatment of Addiction and Pain to provide case management and care navigation support to assist health care facilities, individual practitioners and other health care providers including, but not limited to, nurse case managers, social workers and recovery coaches, in providing care and identifying community-based providers for referral for pain management and treatment of substance use disorder; provided further, that not less than $1,250,000 shall be transferred to the Criminal Justice and Community Support Trust Fund established in section 2QQQQQ of chapter 29 of the General Laws for the continuation of a pilot program to establish a county restoration center and program overseen by the Middlesex county restoration center commission to divert persons suffering from mental illness or substance use disorder who interact with law enforcement or the court system during a pre-arrest investigation or the pre-adjudication process from lock-up facilities and hospital emergency departments to appropriate treatment; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended to establish a hospital workforce training and apprenticeship grant program to be administered by the executive office to provide support to eligible accountable care organizations, acute care hospitals and their affiliated hospital health care providers; provided further, that all Massachusetts accountable care organizations, acute care hospitals, their affiliated hospital health care providers as defined by the center for health information and analysis and labor-management training and education support for the workforce of those providers shall be considered eligible providers for the purposes of grant applications; provided further, that grants made shall be targeted to support education and training programs to support the workforce of these providers, including for programming that enables the payment of replacement wages and tuition stipends for incumbent workers participating in career development training; provided further, that grants made shall support education and training programs designed to recruit and retain culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse individuals for the hospital workforce; provided further, that grants may also be made to further the retention of health care workers through the provision of housing, child care, behavioral health and other similar supports; provided further, that the executive office shall award grants through an application process; provided further, that the executive may promulgate rules or regulations necessary to carry out this program; provided further, that not later than 90 days after grants are awarded, the executive office shall submit a report to the joint committee on health care financing and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the grant program, including a list of grant recipients, grant amounts by recipient and summaries of each grant recipient’s use of funds; provided further, that any unexpended balance in these accounts shall revert to the General Fund on June 30, 2024; provided further, that funds shall be expended to the Nantucket Cottage Hospital and Martha's Vineyard Hospital for off-island medical transportation including, but not limited to, the transportation of patients with behavioral health conditions; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for Brookline Community Mental Health Center, Inc. in the town of Brookline to expand the healthy lives program; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for a contracted independent study for actuarial modeling of public, private and public-private hybrid long-term care services and supports financing options to help individuals prepare for, access and afford such services; provided further, that the study shall include, but not be limited to: (aa) an analysis of public and private long-term care financing programs that exist in the commonwealth, the participation rates for those programs and any clear gaps that exist including, but not limited to, gaps in coverage, affordability, participation and any factors relevant to the design of a public program; (bb) modeling of 3 public long-term care insurance programs funded through a payroll deduction, including a front-end, limited duration program, a limited duration, back-end catastrophic program and an unlimited duration program; provided further, that key modeling outputs shall include estimated program participation rates, program costs, the distribution of program benefits, the impact on Medicaid expenditures and any financial and legal risks to the commonwealth; provided further, that sensitivity analysis on key program parameters shall be completed and include daily benefit amounts, coverage duration, benefit increase options, form of benefit and premium levels; and (cc) modeling the impact of tax alternatives and other incentives for the purchase of private long-term care insurance on take-up rates in the commonwealth; provided further, that key outputs shall include the impact on insurance take-up rates, the sociodemographic profile of individuals projected to purchase long-term care insurance, program costs and the impact on Medicaid expenditures; and provided further, that the actuarial analysis shall be submitted to the executive office of health and human services, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the joint committee on elder affairs not later than 270 days after the effective date of this act              . $134,875,335

4000-0320For the executive office of health and human services, which may expend not more than $225,000,000 for medical care and assistance rendered in the current year from the monies received from recoveries and collections of any current or prior year expenditures; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the balance of any personal needs accounts collected from nursing and other medical institutions upon the death of a medical assistance recipient and held by the executive office for more than 3 years may be credited to this item…              $225,000,000

4000-0321For the executive office of health and human services, which may expend not more than $65,000,000 for contingency fee contracts related to pursuing federal reimbursement or avoiding costs in its capacity as the single state agency under Titles XIX and XXI of the federal Social Security Act and as the principal agency for all of the agencies within the executive office and other federally-assisted programs administered by the executive office; provided, that such contingency contracts shall not exceed 3 years except with prior review and approval by the executive office for administration and finance; provided further, that not later than February 1, 2024, the secretary of health and human services shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing: (i) the amounts of the agreements; (ii) a delineation of all ongoing and new projects; and (iii) the amount of federal reimbursement and cost avoidance derived from the contracts for the previous fiscal year’s activities; provided further, that after providing payments due under the terms of the contingency contracts, the executive office of health and human services may use available funds to support special MassHealth projects that will receive enhanced federal revenue opportunities, including MassHealth eligibility operations and systems enhancements that support reforms and improvements to MassHealth programs; provided further, that any enhanced federal financial participation received for these special projects, including the Implementation Advanced Planning Documents or other eligibility operations and systems enhancements that support reforms and improvements to MassHealth shall be deposited into this item; provided further, that, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the executive office may enter into interdepartmental service agreements with the University of Massachusetts medical school to perform activities that the secretary of health and human services, in consultation with the comptroller, determines to be within the scope of the proper administration of said Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act and other federal funding provisions to support the programs and activities of the executive office; provided further, that said activities may include providing: (a) administrative services including, but not limited to, utilization management activities and eligibility determinations based on disability and supporting case management activities and similar initiatives; (b) consulting services related to quality assurance, program evaluation and development, integrity and soundness and project management; and (c) activities and services to pursue federal reimbursement, avoid costs or identify third-party liability and recoup payments made to third parties; provided further, that federal reimbursement for any expenditure made by the University of Massachusetts medical school for federally-reimbursable services the university provides under these interdepartmental service agreements or other contracts with the executive office shall be distributed to the university and recorded distinctly in the state accounting system; provided further, that the secretary of health and human services may negotiate contingency fees for activities and services related to pursuing federal reimbursement or avoiding costs and the comptroller shall certify these fees and pay them upon the receipt of this revenue, reimbursement or demonstration of costs avoided; provided further, that contingency fees paid to the University of Massachusetts medical school shall not exceed $40,000,000 for state fiscal year 2024 except for contingency fees paid under interdepartmental service agreements for recoveries related to special disability workload projects; and provided further, that, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of accommodating timing discrepancies between the receipt of revenues and payments required under contingency contracts, the comptroller shall certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system              .$65,000,000

4000-0430For the CommonHealth program to provide primary and supplemental medical care and assistance to disabled adults and children under sections 9A, 16 and 16A of chapter 118E of the General Laws; provided, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to the recipients in prior fiscal years; provided further, that the executive office of health and human services shall maximize federal reimbursement for state expenditures made on behalf of those adults and children; provided further, that children shall be determined eligible for medical care and assistance if they meet the disability standards as defined by the executive office; provided further, that, such standards shall be no more restrictive than those in effect on July 1, 1996; and provided further, that the executive office shall process a CommonHealth application within 45 days of receipt of a completed application or within 90 days if a determination of disability is required…              $164,554,085

4000-0500For health care services provided to medical assistance recipients through the executive office of health and human services’ managed care delivery systems, including a behavioral health contractor, the Primary Care Clinician Plan, Primary Care Accountable Care Organizations, MassHealth managed care organizations and Accountable Care Partnership Plans and for MassHealth benefits provided to children, adolescents and adults under section 9 of chapter 118E of the General Laws and clauses (a) to (d), inclusive, and clause (h) of subsection (2) of section 9A of said chapter 118E and section 16C of said chapter 118E; provided, that no funds shall be expended from this item for children and adolescents under clause (c) of said subsection (2) of said section 9A of said chapter 118E whose household incomes, as determined by the executive office, exceed 150 per cent of the federal poverty level; provided further, that not less than $70,000,000 shall be expended for targeted community-based behavioral health investments, including a 24-hour diversionary program to provide care to children and youth in crisis; provided further, that not less than $10,000,000 shall be expended for targeted hospital-based investments in behavioral health services, including rate investments for in-patient psychiatric patients with medical complexities; provided further, that the executive office shall require that any contract or other arrangement entered into by a managed care provider under the managed care delivery system for the provision and administration of pharmacy benefit management services on behalf of individuals enrolled in programs of medical assistance under this item, including a managed care provider participating in an accountable care partnership plan, shall include, but not be limited to, the requirement that pharmacy benefit managers: (i) identify all sources and amounts of income, payments and financial benefits related to the provision and administration of pharmacy benefit management services on behalf of the managed care provider including, but not limited to, pricing discounts, rebates, inflationary payments, credits, clawbacks, fees, grants, chargebacks, reimbursements or other benefits; and (ii) disclose to MassHealth the sources and amounts of all income, payments and financial benefits received by the pharmacy benefit manager; provided further, that not later than February 15, 2024, the executive office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing: (a) the total number of members participating in the Accountable Care Organization program; (b) disenrollment trends from the Partnership Plan, Primary Care Accountable Care Organization and Managed Care Organization-administered Accountable Care Organizations within the designated plan selection; (c) the outcomes achieved by accountable care organizations and community partners including, but not limited to, financial performance, patient safety, patient satisfaction, quality and aggregate and per-member reductions in spending compared to prior cost trends; (d) the results of benchmarks on accountable care organizations’ and community partners’ progress toward an integrated care delivery system; and (e) a summary of spending and activities related to traditionally non-reimbursed services to address health-related social needs including, but not limited to, home and community-based services, housing stabilization and support, utility assistance, non-medical transportation, physical activity, nutrition, sexual assault and domestic violence supports; provided further, that such summary shall include, to the maximum extent practicable, aggregated data on the results of preventative health care services such as health-related social needs screening, the number of referrals to human service providers to address such screening, the result of such referrals and changes in health status; provided further, that such data shall be stratified by demographic factors to support an analysis of the impact on health disparities; provided further, that where data is not available, a report on progress toward establishing necessary data systems shall be provided; provided further, that said summary shall include outcome measures for at-risk populations with chronic health conditions; provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to recipients in prior fiscal years; and provided further, that not later than January 16, 2024, the executive office shall conduct and submit a comparative analysis to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery, of the rate differential for inpatient psychiatric and substance use hospital per diem payments between MassHealth and its contracted health insurers, health plans, health maintenance organizations, behavioral health management firms and third-party administrators under contract to a Medicaid managed care organization or primary care clinician plan              $5,831,782,318

4000-0601For health care services provided to MassHealth members who are seniors, including those provided through the Medicare Savings Program, and for the operation of the MassHealth Senior Care Options program under section 9D of chapter 118E of the General Laws; provided, that not less than $200,000,000 shall be expended for rate enhancements to day habitation and adult day health providers; provided further, that not less than $14,300,000 shall be expended for investments in home health nursing rates to bolster the home health nursing workforce; provided further, that not less than $6,000,000 shall be expended to expand access to the substance use disorder rate add-on for nursing facilities contracted with MassHealth; provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to recipients in prior fiscal years; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purposes of an individual's eligibility for the Senior Care Options program, an individual is deemed to reach 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which their sixty-fifth birthday occurs; provided further, that no payment for special provider costs shall be made from this item without the prior written approval of the secretary of administration and finance; provided further, that funds shall be expended from this item to maintain a personal needs allowance of $72.80 per month for individuals residing in nursing and rest homes who are eligible for MassHealth, emergency aid to the elderly, disabled and children program or supplemental security income; provided further, that, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for any nursing home facility or non-acute chronic disease hospital that provides kosher food to its residents, the executive office of health and human services, in consultation with the center for health information and analysis and in recognition of the special innovative program status granted by the executive office, shall continue to make the standard payment rates established in fiscal year 2006 to reflect the high dietary costs incurred in providing kosher food; provided further, that not later than February 1, 2024, the executive office of health and human services shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the implementation of the Medicare Savings Program expanded program eligibility for seniors pursuant to section 25A of said chapter 118E; provided further, that said report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the number of members who are seniors whose household incomes, as determined by the executive office, exceed 135 per cent of the federal poverty level that are enrolled in Medicare Savings Programs during each month of the fiscal year; (ii) total enrollment in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program, Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program and Qualifying Individual Program; (iii) total annual spending on Medicare premiums and cost-sharing for such members; (iv) total annual transfers from the prescription advantage program in item 9110-1455 and Health Safety Net Trust Fund to fund the Medicare Savings Program expansion; provided further, that nursing facility rates effective October 1, 2023 under section 13D of said chapter 118E shall be developed using the costs of calendar year 2019; provided further, that MassHealth shall reimburse nursing home facilities for up to 20 medical leave-of-absence days and shall reimburse the facilities for up to 10 non-medical leave-of-absence days; provided further, that medical leave-of-absence days shall include an observation stay in a hospital in excess of 24 hours; provided further, that no nursing home shall reassign a patient's bed during a leave of absence that is eligible for reimbursement under this item; provided further, that not later than January 16, 2024, MassHealth shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing, for fiscal year 2023, the: (a) number of nursing facility clients on a leave of absence, delineated by the nursing facility, medical leave-of-absence days and medical leave-of-absence days that exceeded 10 days per hospital stay, nonmedical leave-of-absence days and the total number of days on leave of absence unduplicated member count; (b) monthly licensed bed capacity level per nursing home and the monthly total number of empty beds per nursing facility, total number of all nursing home residents and total MassHealth nursing home residents; (c) 6 separate MassHealth payment rates and the average payment amount rate per nursing facility client resident; (d) actual number of nursing home residents for each of the 6 payment rates in clause (c); and (e) aggregate payment amount per nursing facility by month; and provided further, that the information in the report shall be delineated by nursing facility, including grand totals where appropriate              .$4,486,764,509

4000-0641For nursing facility Medicaid rates; provided, that in fiscal year 2024, the executive office of health and human services, in consultation with the center for health information and analysis, shall establish rates that cumulatively total $470,100,000 more than the annual payment rates established under the rates in effect as of June 30, 2002; provided further, that not less than $112,000,000 shall be expended in base rates for additional payments over the rate established in December 2022 to reflect nursing facility resident care and workforce costs including wages, hiring of staff and training for nursing facility workers; provided further, that an amount for expenses related to the collection and administration of section 63 of chapter 118E of the General Laws shall be transferred to the executive office; and provided further, that the payments made under this item shall be allocated in an amount sufficient to implement section 622 of chapter 151 of the acts of 1996…              $582,100,000

4000-0700For health care services provided to medical assistance recipients under the executive office of health and human services’ health care indemnity or third-party liability plan, to medical assistance recipients not otherwise covered under the executive office’s managed care or senior care plans and for MassHealth benefits provided to children, adolescents and adults under section 9 of chapter 118E of the General Laws and clauses (a) to (d), inclusive, and clause (h) of subsection (2) of section 9A of said chapter 118E and section 16C of said chapter 118E; provided, that no payments for special provider costs shall be made from this item without the prior written approval of the secretary of administration and finance; provided further, that no funds shall be expended from this item for children and adolescents under clause (c) of said subsection (2) of said section 9A of said chapter 118E whose household incomes as determined by the executive office exceed 150 per cent of the federal poverty level; provided further, that children who have aged out of the custody of the department of children and families shall be eligible for benefits through the age limit specified in MassHealth’s approved state plan; provided further, that funds shall be expended from this item for members who qualify for early intervention services; provided further, that MassHealth shall expend $13,000,000 in the aggregate for acute care hospitals that have greater than 63 per cent of their gross patient service revenue from governmental payers and free care as determined by the executive office; provided further, that in fiscal year 2024, MassHealth shall maintain the same level of federally-optional chiropractic services that were in effect in fiscal year 2016 that were included in its state plan or demonstration program in effect on January 1, 2002 for members enrolled in the primary care clinician program; provided further, that in fiscal year 2024, the executive office shall not fund programs relating to case management with the intention of reducing length of stay for neonatal intensive care unit cases; provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for activities relating to customer service; provided further, that notwithstanding this item, funds may be expended from this item for the purchase of third-party insurance including, but not limited to, Medicare for any medical assistance recipient; provided further, that the executive office may reduce MassHealth premiums or copayments or offer other incentives to encourage enrollees to comply with wellness goals; provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for activities relating to disability determinations or utilization management and review, including patient screenings and evaluations, regardless of whether such activities are performed by a state agency, contractor, agent or provider; provided further, that MassHealth shall continue to expend funds for expanded oral health benefits, including endodontic and prosthodontic services, for adult members, consistent with the benefits provided beginning on January 1, 2021; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2024, the executive office shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on: (i) dental coverage available to MassHealth recipients as of January 1, 2024 as it compares to dental coverage available to MassHealth recipients on January 1, 2010; (ii) utilization of dental services in fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2024; (iii) the actual and projected costs and revenue associated with dental coverage in fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2024; and (iv) the estimated cost effectiveness of dental coverage as a contributor to MassHealth total cost of care; provided further, that dental services for adults shall be covered at least to the extent they were covered as of June 30, 2023; provided further, that not later than December 1, 2023, $900,000shall be equally distributed to the teaching community health centers with family medicine residency programs in the cities of Worcester and Lawrence and in the South Boston section of the city of Boston; provided further, that the secretary of health and human services shall designate the league of community health centers to administer the funds and shall retain 5 per cent of the total funds; provided further, that the secretary shall: (a) report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the use of the funds by teaching community health centers; and (b) audit said centers in order to confirm the use of the funds by each center for training purposes; provided further, that funds shall be expended to eliminate pharmacy copayments for all MassHealth members; and provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to recipients in prior fiscal years              $3,713,316,357

4000-0875For the executive office of health and human services to expend for the provision of benefits to eligible individuals who require medical treatment for either breast or cervical cancer under section 2 of the federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000, Public Law 106-354, codified at 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVII) and section 10D of chapter 118E of the General Laws; provided, that the executive office shall provide these benefits to individuals whose incomes, as determined by the executive office, do not exceed 250 per cent of the federal poverty level, subject to continued federal approval; and provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to these recipients in prior fiscal years              $18,000,000

4000-0880For MassHealth benefits under clause (c) of subsection (2) of section 9A of chapter 118E of the General Laws and section 16C of said chapter 118E for children and adolescents whose household incomes, as determined by the executive office of health and human services, exceed 150 per cent of the federal poverty level; provided, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to those children and adolescents in prior fiscal years; and provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for health care subsidies provided to eligible individuals under the last paragraph of section 9 and section 16D of said chapter 118E              $249,457,668

4000-0885For the cost of health insurance subsidies paid to employees of small businesses in the insurance reimbursement program under section 9C of chapter 118E of the General Laws; provided, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to persons in prior fiscal years; provided further, that funds may be expended only for employees who are ineligible for subsidized insurance through the commonwealth health insurance connector authority and ineligible for any MassHealth program; provided further, that enrollment in this program may be capped to ensure that MassHealth expenditures shall not exceed the amount appropriated; and provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to individuals eligible under clause (j) of subsection (2) of section 9A of said chapter 118E              $34,042,020

4000-0940For providing health care services related to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148; provided, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services to individuals ages 19 to 64, inclusive, whose household incomes, as determined by the executive office of health and human services, do not exceed 133 per cent of the federal poverty level and those who are eligible under clauses (b) and (d) of subsection (2) of section 9A of chapter 118E of the General Laws; and provided further, that in fiscal year 2024, MassHealth shall maintain the same level of vision services that were in effect in fiscal year 2023 for members enrolled in the CarePlus program              $3,176,913,030

4000-0950For administrative and program expenses associated with the children’s behavioral health initiative to provide comprehensive, community-based behavioral health services to children suffering from severe emotional disturbances; provided, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to these persons in prior fiscal years; provided further, that the executive office of health and human services shall submit biannual reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the implementation of the initiative; provided further, that said reports shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the results of the scheduled plan to date, including a schedule detailing commencement of services and associated costs by service type; (ii) an analysis of compliance with the terms of the settlement agreement to date; (iii) a detailed itemization of services and service utilization by service type, geographical location and the age of the member receiving the service; (iv) data detailing the time that elapsed between a member’s request for services and commencement of an initial assessment for services; (v) the time to complete the initial assessment and the time that elapsed between initial assessment for services and commencement of services; and (vi) a quarterly update of whether projected expenditures are likely to exceed the amount appropriated in this item; provided further, that funds shall not be transferred from this item without notifying the house and senate committees on ways and means not less than 30 days before such a transfer; and provided further, that any unexpended balance in this item shall revert to the General Fund on June 30, 2024              $315,282,721

4000-0990For the executive office of health and human services to expend for the children's medical security plan to provide health services for uninsured children from birth through age 18, inclusive; provided, that the executive office shall prescreen enrollees and applicants for Medicaid eligibility; provided further, that no applicant shall be enrolled in the program until the applicant has been denied eligibility for the MassHealth program other than MassHealth Limited; provided further, that the MassHealth benefit request shall be used as a joint application to determine the eligibility for both MassHealth and the children’s medical security plan; provided further, that the executive office shall maximize federal reimbursements for state expenditures made on behalf of the children; provided further, that the executive office shall expend all necessary funds from this item to ensure the provision of this program under section 10F of chapter 118E of the General Laws; provided further, that the maximum benefit levels for this program shall be made available only to those children who have been determined by the executive office to be ineligible for MassHealth benefits; and provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to those persons in prior fiscal years              .$30,017,088

4000-1400For the provision of MassHealth benefits to persons diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus with incomes that do not exceed 200 per cent of the federal poverty level; provided, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to said persons in prior fiscal years              $14,000,000

4000-1420For payment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in compliance with Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, as codified at 42 U.S.C. chapter 7, subchapter XIX              $671,431,232

4000-1426For health care services provided to MassHealth members through the following MassHealth waivers approved under section 1915(c) of the federal Social Security Act: the Acquired Brain Injury Residential Habilitation waiver; the Acquired Brain Injury Non-Residential Habilitation waiver; the Moving Forward Plan Residential Supports waiver; and the Moving Forward Plan Community Living waiver; provided, that funds may be expended from this item for administrative and program expenses associated with the operation of said waivers; and provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to members participating in said waivers in prior fiscal years              $416,376,894

4000-1700For the provision of information technology services within the executive office of health and human services              $171,629,221

Office for Refugees and Immigrants.

4003-0111 For the operation of the office for refugees and immigrants; provided, that funds shall be expended to support the implementation of the new arrivals coordination plan established pursuant to item 1599-0925 of section 2A of chapter 2 of the acts of 2023 to establish a more coordinated system to address the needs of newly-arrived immigrants and refugees; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for the office, in coordination with the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, to support community-based organizations, refugee resettlement agencies, nonprofit organizations, family resource centers and local partners supporting immigrants and refugees through case management, legal screenings, benefits assistance, employment services programming and other non-housing-related supports for newly-arrived immigrants and refugees; provided further, that said funds may be used for both direct assistance and administrative costs; and provided further, that the office shall submit quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing: (i) a list of recipients of such funds; (ii) the amounts distributed to each recipient; and (iii) the number of newly-arrived immigrants and refugees served by each recipient              $2,000,000

4003-0122For a citizenship for new Americans program to assist legal permanent residents of the commonwealth in becoming citizens of the United States; provided, that the office for refugees and immigrants shall administer the program; provided further, that the program funded under this item shall provide assistance to persons who are within 3 years of eligibility to become citizens of the United States; provided further, that services shall include: (i) English for Speakers of Other Languages/civics classes; (ii) citizenship application assistance; (iii) interview preparation; and (iv) support services including, but not limited to, interpretation and referral services; provided further, that persons who would qualify for benefits under chapter 118A of the General Laws but for their status as legal non-citizens shall be given the highest priority for services; provided further, that persons who currently receive state-funded benefits that could be replaced in whole or in part by federally-funded benefits if those persons become citizens shall be given priority for services; provided further, that funds may be expended for the programmatic and administrative support of the office’s refugee and immigrant services; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Friendly House, Inc. for the operation of a Center for New Americans in the city of Worcester; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for the Refugee Health Promotion program to expand behavioral health and wellness programming; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended as a grant for Immigrants Assistance Center, Inc. in the city of New Bedford to provide citizenship and workforce readiness programming; provided further, that funds may be transferred from item 4003-0111 to this item, as necessary, for the administration of the citizenship for new Americans program; and provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for Jewish Family Service of Metrowest, Inc. for the hiring of a multilingual family assistance caseworker and for the creation of an emergency stabilization fund to assist low-income immigrant families              .$1,961,958

Center for Health Information and Analysis.

4100-0060 For the operation of the center for health information and analysis established in chapter 12C of the General Laws; provided, that the estimated costs of the center shall be assessed in the manner prescribed by section 7 of said chapter 12C; and provided further, that not less than $2,500,000 of this appropriation may be expended for the operation of the Betsy Lehman center for patient safety and medical error reduction              $33,394,789

OFFICE OF DISABILITIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.

4110-0001For the operation of the Massachusetts commission for the blind, including the cost of sheltered workforce employee retirement benefits              $1,706,424

4110-1000For the community services program; provided, that the Massachusetts commission for the blind shall work in collaboration with the Massachusetts commission for the deaf and hard of hearing to provide assistance and services to the deaf-blind community through the deaf-blind community access network; provided further, that not less than $1,100,000 shall be expended by the commission to maximize the independent living skills of legally blind residents of the commonwealth through rehabilitation programs, housing assistance services, adjustment counseling services and the provision of accessible devices, assistive software and equipment and supportive technology training by qualified nonprofit providers in community, residential, virtual and facility-based settings, not less than $500,000 of which shall be made available for the Carroll Center for the Blind, Inc. and not less than $300,000 of which shall be made available for the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired; and provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to hire additional social workers, rehabilitation teachers and orientation and mobility instructors at the Massachusetts commission for the blind               $8,185,416