Section 22: Imagination Library of Massachusetts program
[ Text of section added by 2025, 7, Sec. 3 effective June 24, 2025.]
Section 22. (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
"Imagination Library of Massachusetts program'', a comprehensive statewide initiative to encourage children from birth to 5 years of age to develop a love of reading and learning.
"Qualified local entity'', an existing or new local Dolly Parton's Imagination Library affiliate that agrees to fund up to 50 per cent of the costs of the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program.
(b) Subject to appropriation, the department shall establish the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program to promote the development of a comprehensive statewide initiative to encourage preschool age children to develop a love of reading and learning. The department shall develop, implement and promote a comprehensive statewide initiative to encourage children from birth to 5 years of age to develop a love of reading and learning.
(c)(1) Subject to appropriation, the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program shall provide, through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, 1 age-appropriate book to each registered child from birth to age 5. Books shall be sent monthly to each child's home at no cost to families.
(2) Subject to appropriation, the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program shall contribute funds to qualified local entities participating in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
(d) The department shall administer the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program, including, but not limited to:
(i) promoting the statewide development of qualified local entities;
(ii) coordinating with qualified local entities to increase enrollment;
(iii) engaging with communities, qualified local entities and nonprofit leaders across the commonwealth;
(iv) implementing a statewide marketing and communications campaign, including, but not limited to, an ongoing public awareness campaign to:
(A) make donors aware of the opportunity to donate to the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program; and
(B) make the public aware of the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program and how to register eligible children; and
(v) coordinating the local match requirement for approved qualified local entities as well as the reimbursement of local program costs for books and mailing, as needed.
(e) The department shall, in coordination with the qualified local entity, ensure all personally identifiable information is handled in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
(f) Annually, not later than March 15, the department shall submit a report to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the chairs of the joint committee on education, the executive office for administration and finance and the executive office of education on the activities of the program, including, but not limited to: (i) the total number of children enrolled, delineated by municipality; (ii) the number of books sent to enrolled children, delineated by municipality; (iii) the number of books returned as undeliverable, delineated by municipality; (iv) any activity from the Imagination Library of Massachusetts Fund, established in section 2KKKKKK of chapter 29, including, but not limited to, deposits and expenditures; (v) the number of qualified local entities across the commonwealth, their locations, local match amounts contributed and other local partners, if any; and (vi) any other information the department deems relevant.
(g) The department may promulgate regulations, pursuant to chapter 30A, for the implementation of the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program.