Amendment #36 to H4750

UMass Women's Ice Hockey Task Force

Ms. Kerans of Danvers moves to amend the bill By inserting after section 18 the following section:

“SECTION XX. (a) To advance the goal of equitable access to athletic opportunity at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, there shall be established a task force to explore the creation and operation of a Division 1 women’s ice hockey program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

(b) Said task force shall be comprised of a designee of the board of higher education, the president of the University of Massachusetts, the chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Title IX officer of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the athletic director of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on higher education, an appointee of the governor with a focus on gender equity, two appointees of the speaker of the house of representatives, an appointee of the senate president, and a representative from the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

(c) The task force shall examine all relevant issues, including (i) facility considerations, (ii) the cost of recruiting and retaining coaching staff, (iii) athletic training resources, (iv) scholarship opportunities, and (v) recruiting resources equivalent to that of the existing men’s varsity ice hockey program.  The program shall be fully eligible for NCAA Division I competition. The task force will evaluate the existing opportunities to play ice hockey at all UMass campuses, and shall include these findings in their report. The task force shall consult with state universities in New England with Division I women’s ice hockey programs. The task force shall also consult with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association in order to promote the involvement of Massachusetts student athletes in the program.

(d) Said findings and recommendations will be submitted to the governor, the joint committee on higher education, the clerk of the house of representatives, and to the clerk of the senate.

(e) The Task Force will complete its work and submit findings and recommendations for creating a Division 1 Women’s Ice Hockey program at the University of Massachusetts by December 31, 2026.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #36 to H4750

UMass Women's Ice Hockey Task Force