Budget Amendment ID: FY2026-S3-685

EDU 685

Commission to Expand Chapter 74 Education in Massachusetts

Ms. Kennedy moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section XX the following sections:

“SECTION XX. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary there shall be special commission to study and make recommendations to provide universal access to chapter 74-approved vocational technical education programs across the commonwealth.

(b) The special commission shall consist of: the secretary of the executive office of education, or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the secretary of the executive office labor and workforce development, or a designee; the secretary of the executive office of economic development, or a designee; a member appointed by the treasurer with experience in vocational-technical education; a member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house; a member of the senate appointed by the senate president; the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on education; a member appointed by the minority leader of the house; a member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; a member appointed by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators; a member appointed by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents; a member appointed by Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools; a member appointed by the Massachusetts Building Trades Council; a member appointed by the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education; a member appointed by the Alliance for Vocational Technical Education; member appointed by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; a member appointed by the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

(c) The special commission shall study and make recommendations on, including but not limited to: (i) conduct a comprehensive review of access to chapter 74-approved vocational technical education across the commonwealth; (ii) identify geographic areas of the state with limited or no access to vocational schools and programs; (iii) assess capital and infrastructure needs required to expand access to existing or new chapter 74 schools and programs, including facility upgrades, new construction, and equipment purchases; (iv) analyze regional workforce development blueprints to identify opportunities to expand existing vocational program offerings or create new schools and programs aligned with projected labor market demands, including high-demand trades and industries; (v) assess the current waitlists at chapter 74 schools statewide, disaggregated by region and student demographics; (vi) identify local, state, and federal sources of reimbursement or funding to support the identified capital and infrastructure needs; and (vii) make recommendations for policy and funding to provide access to vocational schools and programs in underserved areas of the commonwealth and eliminate waitlists at existing technical vocational and agricultural schools.

(d) (i) The special commission shall submit an initial report of its findings and recommendations to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the joint committee on education, and the joint committee on labor and workforce development, the house committee on ways and means, the senate committee on ways and means no later than June 30, 2026; (ii) a final report, including a proposed statewide implementation plan, shall be submitted by December 31, 2026.