AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 TO PROVIDE FOR SUPPLEMENTING CERTAIN EXISTING APPROPRIATIONS AND FOR CERTAIN OTHER ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to make supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 and to make certain changes in law, each of which is immediately necessary to carry out those appropriations or to accomplish other important public purposes, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. To provide for supplementing certain items in the general appropriation act and other appropriation acts for fiscal year 2025, the sums set forth in section 2 are hereby appropriated from the General Fund unless specifically designated otherwise in this act or in those appropriation acts, for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in this act or in those appropriation acts, and subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. These sums shall be in addition to any amounts previously appropriated and made available for the purposes of those items. These sums shall be made available through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
SECTION 2.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF VETERANS’ SERVICES
1410-0400 Veterans’ Benefits .............................. $5,800,000
OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER
1599-3384 Settlements and Judgments .............................. $28,917,460
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Department of Transitional Assistance
4400-1004 Healthy Incentives Program $7,500,000
4405-2000 State Supplement to the Social Security Income program .............................. $3,000,000
4408-1000 Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children .............................. $1,000,000
Department of Public Health
4513-1012 Women Infants and Children Program Manufacturer Rebates .............................. $400,000
4590-0912 Western Massachusetts Hospital Retained Revenue .............................. $1,200,000
Executive Office of Aging and Independence
9110-1630 Home Care Services .............................. $60,000,000
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
Office of the Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities
7004-9316 Residential Assistance for Families in Transition .............................. $42,910,506
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
State Police
8100-0006 Private Detail Retained Revenue .............................. $7,750,000
8100-1004 State Police Crime Laboratory .............................. $4,193,083
Military Division
8700-0001 Military Division .............................. $593,539
SECTION 2A. To provide for certain unanticipated obligations of the commonwealth, to provide for an alteration of purpose for current appropriations, and to meet certain requirements of law, the sums set forth in this section are hereby appropriated from the General Fund or the Transitional Escrow Fund established in section 16 of chapter 76 of the acts of 2021, as amended by section 4 of chapter 98 of the acts of 2022, unless specifically designated otherwise in this section, for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in this section, and subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Except as otherwise stated, these sums shall be made available through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
JUDICIARY
Committee for Public Counsel Services
0321-1599 For a reserve to expand the number of public defenders employed by the committee for public counsel services established in chapter 211D of the General Laws; provided, that the expansion shall prioritize increasing the proportion of indigent clients represented by public defenders in a manner that ensures clients are timely represented by counsel; provided further, that the committee shall prioritize the hiring of public defenders that serve areas with unrepresented individuals awaiting counsel assignment, including counties with a recent history of private bar advocate work stoppages; provided further, that the committee shall use best efforts to hire approximately 160 new attorneys in the public defender division by the end of fiscal year 2026 and an additional 160 new attorneys in said division by the end of fiscal year 2027; provided further, that the committee may transfer funds from this item to item 0321-1500 of section 2 of the general appropriations acts for fiscal years 2026 and 2027; provided further, that not later than September 1, 2025, the committee shall submit a hiring plan to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint committee on the judiciary and the senate and house committees on ways and means, which shall include an update on hiring activity under this item to date of the plan’s submission and outline the committee’s plan to hire attorneys in a manner that ensures clients are timely represented by counsel; provided further, that not later than July 15, 2026, the committee shall submit a report to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint committee on the judiciary and the senate and house committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the total number of public defenders employed by the committee; (ii) the number of public defenders hired under this item, delineated by county served; (iii) the total number of cases handled by the committee in fiscal year 2026, delineated by whether the case was handled by a public defender or a private bar advocate and the type of case; (iv) the average caseload per public defender; (v) the change to the proportion of indigent clients represented by public defenders due to new public defenders hired under this item; (vi) the estimated reduction in hours billed by private bar advocates due to the increase in public defenders hired under this item and the savings associated with that reduction in hours billed; and (vii) recommendations on the future balance of cases between public defenders and private bar advocates; and provided further, that the funds appropriated in this item shall be made available through June 30, 2027 .............................. $40,000,000
EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Reserves
1599-1778 For a reserve to support the creation of the Brooke House in Mattapan by 2Life Development Inc.; provided, that the Brooke House shall create and maintain not less than 127 units of senior housing; provided further, that the housing shall be reserved for seniors with incomes of not more than 60 per cent of the area median income; provided further, that the Brooke House shall include space for the Shattuck Child Care Center; and provided further, that the Brooke House shall include space for a community health care center that shall provide services to the broader community .............................. $2,000,000
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Department of Transitional Assistance
4400-1033 For the costs associated with the transition to chipped electronic benefits transfer cards by the department of transitional assistance; provided, that at the direction of the commissioner of transitional assistance, funds may be transferred from this item to item 4400-1000 of section 2 of the general appropriations act for fiscal years 2025, 2026 and 2027; provided further, that any unexpended funds available after the completion of the transition to chipped electronic benefits transfer cards shall be expended on reimbursements to clients who have had their federal supplemental nutrition assistance program payments stolen through electronic benefit transfer card skimming, card cloning or other similar fraudulent electronically-based method; and provided further, that funds appropriated in this item shall be made available for these purposes through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.............................. $15,500,000
Department of Public Health
4510-0794 For grants to reimburse municipalities for extraordinary emergency medical service costs; provided, that funds in this item shall be administered by the department of public health and shall be reimbursed based on eligibility criteria established by the department; provided further, that not less than $5,000,000 shall be distributed as grants to the fire departments in the towns of Ashby, Ayer, Boxborough, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend, Westford, the city of Leominster and the Devens fire department established pursuant to chapter 498 of the acts of 1993; provided further, that said funds shall be distributed based on criteria established by the department that shall consider the following: (i) the proportional share of emergency medical call volume among the departments eligible for these funds; (ii) the increased distance travelled to the nearest emergency department caused by the closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center; and (iii) increased overtime costs incurred by the departments eligible for these funds; provided further, that not later than December 13, 2025, the department shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means which shall include, but shall not be limited to, the expenditures and planned expenditures from this item delineated by recipient; and provided further, that funds in this item shall be made available until June 30, 2027.............................. $10,000,000
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
Office of the Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities
1595-1779 For a transfer to the Fair Housing Fund established in section 2JJJJJJ of chapter 29 of the General Laws.............................. $1,000,000
SECTION 3. Section 65 of chapter 3 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-
There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a Senate Artistic Upgrade and Representation Fund, which shall be used, without further appropriation, for purposes, including, but not limited to, upgrading and restoring historical and artistic qualities of quarters in the state house used by the members of the senate and its employees. The chief financial officer of the senate shall administer the fund. The fund shall consist of appropriations authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; provided, however, that items authorized to be transferred under section 7M of chapter 29 may be transferred to the fund by the chief financial officer of the senate. The fund shall not be subject to section 13A of said chapter 29 and any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund and shall be available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. An accounting of all fund activity shall be reported in the annual fiscal year audit conducted pursuant to applicable senate rules.
SECTION 4. Section 40 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (d) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:- (d) The boards of trustees for each state-operated veterans’ home may receive donations to benefit the homes. The state treasurer shall receive, deposit and invest all donations made to the state-operated veterans’ homes. The trustees may expend the donated funds for the direct benefit of the veterans who reside in the state-operated veterans’ homes, acting as fiduciaries with the care, skill and diligence that a prudent person would use.
SECTION 5. Section 61 of chapter 7 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 132, the words “March 15” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- June 1.
SECTION 6. Chapter 10 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 35M the following section:-
Section 35M1/2. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Medical Peer Support Trust Fund to be used, without prior appropriation, by the physician health program authorized by the board of registration in medicine pursuant to section 5 of chapter 112 and 243 CMR 2.07(23)(b) as a diversionary program.
(b) The Medical Peer Support Trust Fund shall be financed by a surcharge of not less than $50 on each full license renewal or issuance of a new full license to be collected by the board of registration in medicine for every physician licensed under section 2 of said chapter 112 in addition to other license fees. All money deposited into the fund shall be expended exclusively by the physician health program pursuant to said section 5 of said chapter 112 and said 243 CMR 2.07(23)(b) for its operations and administration and shall not be subject to appropriation by the general court.
SECTION 7. Section 11M of chapter 12 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 52 to 54, inclusive, the words “; provided, however, that the commission shall not approve such a request if the request would exceed an annual reimbursement of $3,000,000”.
SECTION 8. Subsection (b) of section 5L of chapter 18 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out clause (2) and inserting in place thereof the following 2 clauses:-
(2) possesses, buys, sells, uses, alters, accepts or transfers food stamp benefits in any manner not authorized by the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. § 2011, as amended; or
(3) steals food stamp benefits using an unauthorized electronic or other intercept device.
SECTION 9. Section 16 of chapter 23D of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, as so appearing, the words “Growth Capital Corporation” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Development Finance Agency
SECTION 10. Section 1 of chapter 23G of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the definition of “Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation”, inserted by section 51 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-
“Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation”, the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, the power, functions, assets and liabilities of which have been merged into the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency.
SECTION 11. Subsection (l) of section 2 of said chapter 23G, as appearing in section 55 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:- The agency shall be the successor to the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation.
SECTION 12. Said section 2 of said chapter 23G is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (m), as so appearing.
SECTION 13. Section 3 of said chapter 23G is hereby amended by striking out clause (36), as appearing in section 56 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, and inserting in place thereof the following clause:-
(36) to borrow money by the issuance of debt obligations whether tax exempt or taxable and secure such obligations by the pledge of its revenues or the revenues, mortgages and notes of others;
SECTION 14. Said section 3 of said chapter 23G is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 236, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, the words “, to administer trusts”.
SECTION 15. Section 8 of said chapter 23G, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “directors”, in line 134, the following words:- or a duly authorized committee of the board.
SECTION 16. Section 29A of said chapter 23G is hereby amended by striking out, in line 221, as so appearing, the words “convene on a monthly basis in order to”.
SECTION 17. Subsection (b) of section 48 of said chapter 23G, as appearing in section 58 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, is hereby amended by striking out, the word “corporation”, the first time it appears, and inserting in place thereof the following word:- agency.
SECTION 18. Chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 2KKKKKK the following section:-
Section 2LLLLLL. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate, non-budgeted special revenue fund known as the Office of the Inspector General Recovery Fund, which shall be administered by the inspector general. The fund shall be credited with any money payable to the inspector general from civil recoveries, settlement funds or recoupment of administrative and investigatory costs and any interest earned from money in the fund.
(b) Amounts credited to the fund shall be expended, without further appropriation, for the office of the inspector general’s operational, administrative and investigatory purposes.
(c) The unexpended balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund and shall be available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. No expenditure made from the fund shall cause the fund to be in deficit at any point.
(d) Annually, not later than January 1, the office of the inspector general shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on disbursements from the fund and the balance of the fund.
SECTION 19. The third paragraph of section 33 of chapter 31 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “employment”, in line 52, the following words:- ; provided, however, that the length of service of a person appointed through an original appointment to a civil service position of municipal police officer or fire officer from a local public safety register pursuant to section 59A shall be calculated from and, in all instances shall remain, the date of such original appointment from the register and shall not be subject to adjustment at any time for prior employment by the commonwealth or another city or town.
SECTION 20. The second paragraph of section 59 of said chapter 31 is hereby amended by striking out, in line 23, as so appearing, the words “three years after certification” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- 3 years after appointment and performance of the job duties.
SECTION 21. Subsection (a) of section 59A of said chapter 31, inserted by section 147 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, is hereby amended by striking out the words “police and firefighter” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- police, MBTA police and municipal firefighter.
SECTION 22. Said section 59A of said chapter 31, as so inserted, is hereby further amended by adding the following subsection:-
(h) Notwithstanding any prior appointments, for any person who receives an appointment pursuant to this section, the local public safety register appointment date shall be considered the person’s seniority date for all purposes under this chapter.
SECTION 23. The second sentence of subsection (a) of section 64A of chapter 60 of the General Laws, as appearing in section 93 of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024, is hereby amended by striking out the figure “14” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 30.
SECTION 24. Section 68 of said chapter 60, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 9, the word “sixteen” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 8.
SECTION 25. Section 1B of chapter 69 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the thirteenth paragraph, in lines 77 to 82, inclusive, the following paragraph:-
The board shall promulgate regulations establishing standards for the provision of interpretation and translation services, including standards for the qualification of interpreters and translators, to limited English proficient parents and legal guardians of all public school students. Such regulations shall include but not be limited to the following qualifications: (i) bilingualism; (ii) knowledge in both languages of specialized terms or concepts; (iii) training for interpreters and translators; (iv) ethics of interpreting and translating; and (v) the need to maintain confidentiality.
SECTION 26. The definition of “School resource officer” in section 37P of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the last sentence.
SECTION 27. Section 4 of chapter 71A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “component”, in line 13, the following words:- and shall be designed so that English learners can gain proficiency in English and also acquire grade-level skills, competencies and knowledge consistent with the academic standards required by section 1D of chapter 69.
SECTION 28. Section 5 of said chapter 71A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-
(c) School districts shall not recommend that parents or legal guardians decline all or some services within an English learner program for any reason, including facilitating scheduling of special education services or other scheduling reasons.
SECTION 29. The sixth paragraph of section 3 of chapter 71B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the ninth sentence the following 4 sentences:- When conducting an evaluation for a student who is an English learner as defined in section 2 of chapter 71A, school committees shall consider the English language proficiency of the student. Assessments and other evaluation materials used to evaluate said student shall be provided and administered in the student’s primary language and in the form most likely to yield accurate information on what the student knows and can do academically, developmentally, and functionally. The individualized education program team shall consider the language needs of a student who is an English learner as those needs relate to such individualized education program with the participation of 1 or more individuals with the following: (i) requisite knowledge of the student’s language needs (ii) training and expertise in second language acquisition; and (iii) an understanding of how to differentiate between the student’s limited English proficiency and the student’s disability. To satisfy this participation requirement, such individuals may participate in the individualized education program meeting by either attending the individualized education program team meeting or by submitting in writing to the individualized education program team and parent or legal guardian, input into the development of the individualized education program prior to the meeting.
SECTION 30. The ninth paragraph of said section 3 of said chapter 71B, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- The department shall promulgate regulations to continue in effect and enforce the provisions of 20 U.S.C. 1415(k) in effect on January 1, 2025.
SECTION 31. Section 5 of chapter 76 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “origin”, in line 11, the following words:- , immigration or citizenship status, disability.
SECTION 32. Section 7I of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “vehicles”, in line 8, the following words:- and vehicles operated by the Massachusetts emergency management agency.
SECTION 33. Section 1 of chapter 90F of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 65, the words “(49 App. USC 1801 et seq.) and” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- , 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq., and.
SECTION 34. Section 4 of said chapter 90F, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 17, the words “of from $2,750 to $11,000 inclusive” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of Appendix B to 49 C.F.R. 386.
SECTION 35. Said section 4 of said chapter 90F, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 22 and 23, the words “of not more than $10,000” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- pursuant to subsection (b)(3) of Appendix B to 49 C.F.R. 386.
SECTION 36. Section 9 of said chapter 90F is hereby further amended by striking out paragraph (D), as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
(D) Any person shall be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for life for: (i) using a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of any felony involving the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense a controlled substance; or (ii) using a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of any felony involving trafficking in persons or organs as prohibited by sections 50, 51 or 53 of chapter 265 or any felony involving an act or practice of severe forms of trafficking in persons, as defined in 22 U.S.C. 7102(11).
SECTION 37. Said section 9 of said chapter 90F is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 66 and 67, as so appearing, the words “of not less than $1,100 and not more than $2,750” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- pursuant to subsection (b)(1) of Appendix B to 49 C.F.R. 386.
SECTION 38. Subsection (c) of section 34E of chapter 92 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 35 to 45, inclusive, the words “1 member to be appointed by a majority vote of the senator for the Second Suffolk and Middlesex district, the senator for the Middlesex and Suffolk district, the representative for the Seventeenth Suffolk district and the representative for the Eighteenth Suffolk district, who shall serve as chair; 2 members to be appointed by the senator for the Second Suffolk and Middlesex district; 2 members to be appointed by the senator for the Middlesex and Suffolk district; 2 members to be appointed by the representative for the Seventeenth Suffolk district; and 2 members to be appointed by the representative for the Eighteenth Suffolk district” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- 3 members to be appointed by the senator for the Suffolk and Middlesex district; 3 members to be appointed by the representative for the Seventeenth Suffolk district; and 3 members to be appointed by the representative for the Eighteenth Suffolk district.
SECTION 39. Section 19F of chapter 94C of the General Laws, inserted by section 42 of chapter 28 of the acts of 2023, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (a) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a registered pharmacist may: (i) prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives to any person, regardless of whether the person has evidence of a previous prescription from a primary care practitioner or reproductive health care practitioner for a hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive; and (ii) prescribe, dispense and administer medications used for the treatment and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted infections as defined by the department.
SECTION 40. Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
Section 249. (a) For the purposes of this section, the definitions in section 1 of chapter 94C shall apply unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(b) At the commissioner’s discretion, and in accordance with applicable law, the department may authorize a pharmacy operated by the department to distribute controlled substances to health care providers and entities legally authorized to administer, possess, distribute, deliver or dispense controlled substances for the benefit of any person, whether or not the person is under the custody, care or supervision of an agency of the commonwealth, including, but not limited to, applicable controlled substances registration requirements; provided, however, that such controlled substances shall be: (i) related to the provision of reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services, as those terms are defined in section 11I½ of chapter 12; or (ii) distributed to ensure access to controlled substances needed to address a risk to the public health; and provided further, that in exercising the authority granted under this section, the department shall be exempt from obtaining a pharmacy license in accordance with section 39 of chapter 112.
SECTION 41. Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 6, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-
Section 6. (a) There shall be a MassHealth program advisory committee to advise the executive office on matters of concern related to policy development and matters related to effective program administration. The assistant secretary for MassHealth or their designee shall select members for the advisory committee on a rotating and continuous basis in such numbers and for such terms as the executive office deems appropriate.
(b) The MassHealth program advisory committee shall include at a minimum: (i) 1 member of the MassHealth member advisory committee; (ii) 1 member of a state or local consumer group or other community-based organization that represents the interests of, or provides direct service to, MassHealth beneficiaries; (iii) 1 clinical provider or administrator who is familiar with the health and social needs of MassHealth beneficiaries and with the resources available and required for their care, including, but not limited to, providers or administrators of primary care, specialty care and long-term care; (iv) as applicable, 1 member of a Medicaid-participating managed care entity, including, but not limited to, managed care organizations, accountable care partnership plans, primary care accountable care organizations, one care plans, senior care options plans, the behavioral health vendor or the primary care clinician plan; and (v) 1 member of any other state agency that serves MassHealth beneficiaries, who shall serve as an ex officio, non-voting member.
(c) The executive office shall provide the committee with such staff and technical assistance as necessary to enable the committee to make effective recommendations and such financial arrangements as necessary to make possible the participation of recipient members.
(d) Annually, not later than October 1, the office of Medicaid shall report to the joint committee on health care financing and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the activities of the MassHealth program advisory committee in the previous fiscal year. The report shall include, but shall not be limited to, the names and titles of committee members, dates of committee meetings, agendas and minutes or notes from such meetings and any correspondence, memorandum, recommendations or other product of the committee’s work. MassHealth member advisory committee members shall have the option to omit their names from the report.
SECTION 42. Said chapter 118E is hereby further amended by striking out section 9F, added by section 117 of chapter 224 of the acts of 2012, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-
Section 9F. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
“Dual eligible”, or “dually eligible person”, any person age 21 or older and under age 65 at the time of enrollment in a dual eligible managed care organization who is enrolled in both Medicare and MassHealth.
“Dual eligible managed care organization”, a comprehensive network of medical, health care and long-term services and supports providers that integrates all components of care, either directly or through subcontracts, and has been contracted with by the executive office to provide services to dually eligible individuals under this section.
(b) The secretary of health and human services may establish, subject to appropriation, all required federal approvals and agreements and the availability of federal financial participation, a health care program for dual eligible individuals, aged 21 to 64 at the time of enrollment, who are dually eligible for benefits under MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth and Medicare under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act and do not have any additional comprehensive health coverage. Under the program, the executive office may contract to provide integrated, comprehensive Medicaid and Medicare services, including medical, behavioral health and long-term support services for a capitated payment.
(c) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the secretary of health and human services may review a request for financial solvency certification by a care delivery organization based in the commonwealth applying to serve as a Medicare plan caring for residents who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Upon determination that appropriate financial standards, which may be the standards already in place for organizations with contracts pursuant to this section, have been met, the secretary of health and human services shall so certify to the centers for Medicare and Medicaid services. The secretary of health and human services may require the requesting organization to pay a reasonable certification fee.
(d) Members of the MassHealth managed care program integrating care for dually eligible persons shall be provided an independent community care coordinator by the dual eligible managed care organization, who shall be a participant in the member’s care team. The community care coordinator shall assist in the development of a long-term support and services care plan. The community care coordinator shall:
(i) participate in initial and ongoing assessments of the health and functional status of the member, including determining appropriateness for long-term care support and services, either in the form of institutional or community-based care plans and related service packages necessary to improve or maintain enrollee health and functional status;
(ii) arrange and, with the agreement of the member and the care team, coordinate appropriate institutional and community long-term supports and services, including assistance with the activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, housing, home-delivered meals, transportation and, under specific conditions or circumstances established by the dual eligible managed care organization, authorize a range and amount of community-based services; and
(iii) monitor the appropriate provision and functional outcomes of community long-term care services, according to the service plan as deemed appropriate by the member and the care team and track member satisfaction and the appropriate provision and functional outcomes of community long-term care services, according to the service plan as deemed appropriate by the member and the care team. (e) The dual eligible managed care organization shall not have a direct or indirect financial ownership interest in an entity that serves as an independent care coordinator. Providers of institutional or community based long-term services and supports on a compensated basis shall not function as an independent care coordinator; provided, however, that the secretary may grant a waiver of this restriction upon a finding that public necessity and convenience require such a waiver. For the purposes of this section, an organization compensated to provide only evaluation, assessment, coordination, skills training, peer support and fiscal intermediary services shall not be considered a provider of long term services and supports.
SECTION 43. Section 10H1/2 of said chapter 118E, inserted by section 2 of chapter 388 of the acts of 2024, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
The division 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 shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through medically necessary speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and, for individuals under the age of 21, applied behavior analysis services.
SECTION 44. Said chapter 118E is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-
Section 87. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the executive office may directly pay other state agencies, including county correctional facilities and department of correction facilities operated by such state agencies, for any claims related to Medicaid, under the provisions of Title XIX of the Social Security Act, the children’s health insurance program, under the provisions of Title XXI of the Social Security Act, the health safety net, under the provisions of sections 64 through 69, the children’s medical security plan, under the provisions of section 10F, and other similar healthcare programs; provided, that such state agencies meet all applicable conditions of participation in these programs, as determined by the executive office in its sole discretion.
SECTION 45. Section 131M of chapter 140 of the General Laws, as appearing in section 71 of chapter 135 of the acts of 2024, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (e) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
(e) This section shall not apply to transfer or possession by: (i) a qualified law enforcement officer or a qualified retired law enforcement officer, as defined in the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, 18 U.S.C. sections 926B and 926C, respectively, as amended; (ii) a law enforcement officer as defined in section 1 of chapter 6E who is currently certified pursuant to section 4 of said chapter 6E; provided, however, that to qualify for the exemption under this subsection, the certification of a law enforcement officer as defined in section 1 of chapter 6E shall not be suspended, limited, or restricted and the officer shall be permitted to perform police duties and functions involving firearms in accordance with chapter 6E and the regulations promulgated thereunder; (iii) a federal, state or local law enforcement agency; or (iv) a federally licensed manufacturer solely for sale or transfer in another state or for export.
SECTION 46. Section 63 of chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after the word “thereof”, in line 398, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, the following words: - or shares of an exchange-traded fund.
SECTION 47. Said section 63 of said chapter 175 is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “money”, in line 402, as so appearing, the following words:- or shares of an exchange-traded fund.
SECTION 48. Subsection (b) of section 6 of chapter 211D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following paragraph:-
The committee shall require all contractual agreements for the appointment of private counsel to prescribe requirements for the minimum coverage and availability to be required for private counsel. Private counsel contractual agreements shall be required to be renewed biannually.
SECTION 49. Section 11 of said chapter 211D, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (a) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:- (a)(1) The rates of compensation payable to all counsel, who are appointed or assigned to represent indigents within the private counsel division of the committee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of section 6, shall, subject to appropriation, be as follows: for homicide cases the rate of compensation shall be $130 per hour; for superior court non-homicide cases, including sexually dangerous person cases, the rate of compensation shall be $95 per hour; for district court cases and children in need of services cases the rate of compensation shall be $75 per hour; for children and family law cases and care and protection cases the rate of compensation shall be $95 per hour; for sex offender registry cases and mental health cases the rate of compensation shall be $75 per hour. These rates of compensation shall be reviewed periodically at public hearings held by the committee at appropriate locations throughout the commonwealth, and notice shall be given to all state, county and local bar associations and other interested groups, of such hearings by letter and publication in advance of such hearings. This periodic review shall take place not less than once every 3 years.
(2) An agreement between private bar advocates to refuse to compete for or accept new appointments or assignments unless the rates of pay under this section are increased shall be evidence of a violation of section 4 of chapter 93; provided, that evidence of an agreement between private bar advocates to refuse to compete for or accept new appointments or assignments unless the rates of pay under this section are increased shall include, but shall not be limited to, any county where not less than 25 per cent of private bar advocates are refusing to compete for or accept new appointments or assignments.
SECTION 50. Subsection (a) of said section 11 of said chapter 211D, as amended by section 49, is hereby further amended by striking out paragraph (1) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
(a)(1) The rates of compensation payable to all counsel, who are appointed or assigned to represent indigents within the private counsel division of the committee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of section 6, shall, subject to appropriation, be as follows: for homicide cases the rate of compensation shall be $140 per hour; for superior court non-homicide cases, including sexually dangerous person cases, the rate of compensation shall be $105 per hour; for district court cases and children in need of services cases the rate of compensation shall be $85 per hour; for children and family law cases and care and protection cases the rate of compensation shall be $105 per hour; for sex offender registry cases and mental health cases the rate of compensation shall be $85 per hour. These rates of compensation shall be reviewed periodically at public hearings held by the committee at appropriate locations throughout the commonwealth, and notice shall be given to all state, county and local bar associations and other interested groups, of such hearings by letter and publication in advance of such hearings. This periodic review shall take place not less than once every 3 years.
SECTION 51. Subsection (j) of section 10 of chapter 269 of the General Laws, as most recently amended by section 123 of chapter 135 of the acts of 2024, is hereby further amended by striking out the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
Whoever, not being a qualified law enforcement officer, a qualified retired law enforcement officer, as defined in the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, 18 U.S.C. sections 926B and 926C, respectively, as amended, or a law enforcement officer as defined in section 1 of chapter 6E who is currently certified pursuant to section 4 of said chapter 6E and notwithstanding any license obtained by the person pursuant to chapter 140, carries on their person a firearm, loaded or unloaded, or other dangerous weapon in any building or on the grounds of any elementary or secondary school, college or university, including transport used for students of said institution without the written authorization of the board or officer in charge of the elementary or secondary school, college or university shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or both. A qualified law enforcement officer or a qualified retired law enforcement officer, as defined in the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, 18 U.S.C. sections 926B and 926C, respectively, as amended, or a law enforcement officer as defined in section 1 of chapter 6E who is currently certified pursuant to section 4 of said chapter 6E may arrest without a warrant and detain a person found carrying a firearm in violation of this paragraph; provided, however, that to qualify for the exemption under this paragraph, the certification of a law enforcement officer as defined in section 1 of chapter 6E shall not be suspended, limited or restricted and the officer shall be permitted to perform police duties and functions involving firearms in accordance with chapter 6E and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
SECTION 52. Subsection (k) of said section 10 of said chapter 269, inserted by section 124 of chapter 135 of the acts of 2024, is hereby amended by striking out paragraph (5) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
(5) This subsection shall not apply to a law enforcement officer as defined in section 1 of chapter 6E who is currently certified pursuant to section 4 of said chapter 6E, a qualified law enforcement officer or a qualified retired law enforcement officer as defined in the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, 18 U.S.C. sections 926B and 926C, respectively, as amended or to a security guard employed at the prohibited area while at the location of their employment and during the course of their employment; provided, however, that to qualify for the exemption under this subsection, the certification of a law enforcement officer as defined in section 1 of chapter 6E shall not be suspended, limited or restricted and the officer shall be permitted to perform police duties and functions involving firearms in accordance with chapter 6E and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Nothing in this paragraph shall limit the authority of any municipality, county or department, division, commission, board, agency or court of the commonwealth to adopt policies further restricting the possession of firearms in areas under their control.
SECTION 53. Section 67 of chapter 102 of the acts of 2021 is hereby amended by striking out the figure “2025”, as inserted by section 33 of chapter 248 of the acts of 2024, and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 2026.
SECTION 54. Subsection (d) of section 81 of chapter 179 of the acts of 2022 is hereby amended by striking out paragraphs (5) and (6), as appearing in section 103 of chapter 239 of the acts of 2024, and inserting in place thereof the following 2 paragraphs:-
(5) Not later than 12 months after the completion of each assessment, each electric distribution company may submit to the department of public utilities its plan and an application to revise its rates to account for the additional distribution infrastructure included in the plan pursuant to paragraph (4). The application shall include: (i) testimony that explains how the application is consistent with the plan pursuant to said paragraph (4); (ii) an explanation of the need for each distribution infrastructure investment; (iii) supporting documentation demonstrating that the actual or estimated costs for each distribution infrastructure investment are reasonable; and (iv) the actual or estimated in-service date of the distribution infrastructure investment. Such application shall be preliminarily approved by the department of public utilities not later than 6 months after submission; provided, however, that the requested rate revision is consistent with the department's practices and incremental costs are not otherwise accounted for in the electric distribution company's existing rates. The department's review of such application shall not be construed as a prudence review. The electric distribution company's application shall be deemed approved if the department does not act within 6 months after the application is submitted.
(6) The department of public utilities shall review the additional distribution infrastructure investments planned pursuant to paragraph (4) during the next general rate case of the electric distribution company. Each electric distribution company shall be entitled to cost recovery of such infrastructure investments where the electric distribution company demonstrates: (i) how it evaluated advanced transmission technologies, energy storage, other infrastructure investments and alternatives other than infrastructure investments to satisfy projected demand; (ii) that the proposed infrastructure investments were cost effective compared with the alternatives, provide net benefits for customers and meet the criteria enumerated in clauses (i) to (vi), inclusive, of subsection (a) of said section 92B of said chapter 164; and (iii) that the expenses are incremental to the costs already recovered through base distribution rates or recovered through reconciling mechanisms. The department may, as necessary, require customers to be credited for any change in rates made pursuant to paragraph (5) with interest.
SECTION 55. Section 82 of said chapter 179, as appearing in section 105 of chapter 239 of the acts of 2024, is hereby further amended, by striking out the figure “2025” and inserting place thereof the following figure:- 2027.
SECTION 56. Item 2000-0100 of section 2 of chapter 28 of the acts of 2023, as amended by section 61 of chapter 248 of the acts of 2024, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “county” the following words:- and such funds shall be made available until June 30, 2025.
SECTION 57. Item 4000-0300 of said section 2 of said chapter 28 is hereby amended by striking out the figure “2025”, as inserted by section 79 of chapter 248 of the acts of 2024, and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 2026.
SECTION 58. Item 0910-0210 of section 2 of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024 is hereby amended by inserting after the word “system” the following words:- ; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds may be collected in the prior fiscal year for service programs or activities delivered during the next fiscal year; and provided further, that any unspent balance at the close of the current fiscal year up to the ceiling shall remain in the account and may be expended for the item in the following fiscal year.
SECTION 59. Item 2000-0100 of said section 2 of said chapter 140 is hereby amended by adding the following words:- and such funds shall be made available until June 30, 2026.
SECTION 60. Item 2511-0107 of said section 2 of said chapter 140 is hereby amended by inserting after the words “Essex county” the following words:- and for expenses related to opening and operating the Seacoast Regional Food Hub, located in the town of Salisbury, serving the Lower Merrimack Valley Food Coalition and such funds shall be made available until June 30, 2026.
SECTION 61. Item 4405-2000 of said section 2 of said chapter 140 is hereby amended by striking out the words “provided further, that rates for residential care facilities and rest homes effective July 1, 2024, established under section 13D of chapter 118E of the General Laws, shall cumulatively total not less than rates effective January 1, 2024” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- provided further, that rates for residential care facilities and rest homes effective July 1, 2024, established under section 13D of chapter 118E of the General Laws, shall cumulatively total not less than $3,000,000 more than rates effective January 1, 2024.
SECTION 62. Item 4408-1000 of said section 2 of said chapter 140 is hereby amended by striking out the words “provided further, that rates for residential care facilities and rest homes effective July 1, 2024, established under section 13D of chapter 118E of the General Laws, shall cumulatively total not less than rates effective January 1, 2024” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- provided further, that rates for residential care facilities and rest homes effective July 1, 2024, established under section 13D of chapter 118E of the General Laws, shall cumulatively total not less than $1,000,000 more than rates effective January 1, 2024.
SECTION 63. Item 4513-1012 of said section 2 of said chapter 140 is hereby amended by striking out the figure “$27,400,000”, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $27,800,000.
SECTION 64. Item 4590-0912 of said section 2 of said chapter 140 is hereby amended by striking out the figure “$27,995,640”, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $29,195,640.
SECTION 65. Item 7008-1116 of section 2 of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024 is hereby amended by inserting after the words “celebrate the 50th anniversary” the following words:- and such funds shall be made available until June 30, 2026.
SECTION 66. Item 8100-0006 of said section 2 of said chapter 140 is hereby amended by striking out the figure “$37,250,000”, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $45,000,000.
SECTION 67. Item 9110-1630 of said section 2 of said chapter 140 is hereby amended by inserting after the word “placements” the following words:- ; and provided further, that the secretary of the executive office of aging and independence may transfer funds between items 9110-0600, 9110-1630 and 9110-1633.
SECTION 68. Section 217 of said chapter 140 is hereby amended by striking out the figure “2025” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 2026.
SECTION 69. Subsection (d) of section 126 of chapter 150 of the acts of 2024 is hereby amended by striking out the words “June 30” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- December 31.
SECTION 70. Subsection (c) of section 32 of chapter 197 of the acts of 2024 is hereby amended by striking out the words: “August 1, 2025” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- December 31, 2025.
SECTION 71. Item 7002-1523 of section 2 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024 is hereby amended by striking out the words “developed with the assistance of a Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer grant from a federal agency including, but not limited to, the United States Department of Energy, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Food and Drug Administration or the National Science Foundation”.
SECTION 72. The first sentence of section 293 of said chapter 238 is hereby amended by striking out, each time they appear, the words “and officers”.
SECTION 73. Subsection (d) of section 303 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024 is hereby amended by striking out the figure “2025” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 2026.
SECTION 74. Section 304 of said chapter 238 is hereby amended by striking out the word “agriculture” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- public health.
SECTION 75. Said section 304 of said chapter 238 is hereby further amended by striking out the figure “2025” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 2026.
SECTION 76. Chapter 239 of the acts of 2024 is hereby amended by striking out section 65 and inserting in place thereof the following section:- Section 65. Said section 69J of said chapter 164, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the third paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
A petition to construct a facility shall include, in such form and detail as the board shall from time to time prescribe: (i) a description of the facility, site and surrounding areas; (ii) an analysis of the need for the facility, either within or outside, or both within and outside the commonwealth, including a description of the energy benefits of the facility; (iii) a description of the alternatives to the facility, such as other methods of transmitting or storing energy, other site locations, other sources of electrical power or gas or a reduction of requirements through load management; (iv) a description of the environmental impacts of the facility, including both environmental benefits and burdens, that includes a description of efforts to avoid, minimize and mitigate burdens and efforts to enhance benefits, such as shared use, recreational paths or access to nature; (v) evidence that all pre-filing consultation and community engagement requirements established by the board have been satisfied and, if not, the applicant shall demonstrate good cause for a waiver of the requirements that could not be satisfied by the applicant; and (vi) a cumulative impact analysis. The board may issue and revise filing guidelines after public notice and a period for comment. Said filing guidelines shall require the applicant to provide minimum data for review related to climate change impact, land use impact, water resource impact, air quality impact, fire and other public safety risks, solid waste impact, radiation impact, noise impact and other public health impacts as determined by the board.
SECTION 77. Subsection (b) of section 118 of said chapter 239 is hereby amended by striking out clauses (v) and (vi) and inserting in place thereof the following clauses:- (v) the energy storage system cannot be constructed due to any disapprovals, conditions or denials by a state or local agency or body, except with respect to any lands or interests therein, excluding public ways, owned or managed by any state agency or local government; or (vi) the energy storage system cannot be constructed because of delays caused by the appeal of any approval, consent, permit or certificate.
SECTION 78. Section 129 of said chapter 239 is hereby amended by striking out the figure “133” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 132.
SECTION 79. Item 3000-1142 of section 2A of chapter 248 of the acts of 2024 is hereby amended by striking out the word “between” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- from this item to.
SECTION 80. Chapter 390 of the acts of 2024 is hereby amended by striking out the words “public way within 3 miles of the vessel’s waterfront location of origin in the town of Barnstable and which may pass over the roadways of the town of Yarmouth; provided, however, that said vessel shall be trucked by a professional licensed boat hauler” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- locally owned or controlled public way within 3 miles of the vessel’s waterfront location of origin in the town of Barnstable and which may pass over the locally owned or controlled roadways of the town of Yarmouth; provided, however, that said vessel shall be trucked by a professional licensed boat hauler. For the purposes of this section, public ways shall not include roadways owned or within the control of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
SECTION 81. Item 0321-1510 of section 2 of chapter 9 of the acts of 2025 is hereby amended by striking out the figure “$213,827,979” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $241,147,979.
SECTION 82. Item 0910-0200 of said section 2 of said chapter 9 is hereby amended by inserting the following words:- ; provided, that not later than June 30, 2026, the inspector general shall submit a report to the senate and house clerks, the joint committee on the judiciary and the senate and house committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) an examination of existing practices, rules and requirements relative to the determination of indigency and the assignment of counsel by the trial court, including an analysis and examination of reimbursement practices and requirements for defendants receiving public representation but who are found not to be indigent; (ii) a review of billing practices and procedures by bar advocates and the oversight thereof; (iii) an examination of the caseload of counsel involved in representation of indigent defendants and the efficacy thereof; (iv) an analysis of the fiscal impact of increasing the proportion of indigent clients represented by public defenders on the total cost of indigent defense; and (v) best practices from other jurisdictions to provide adequate and cost-effective representation of indigent defendants.
SECTION 83. Said item 0910-0200 of said section 2 of said chapter 9 is hereby further amended by striking out the figure “$6,156,039” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $6,256,039.
SECTION 84. Said item 1595-1068 of said section 2E of said chapter 9 is hereby further amended by striking out the figure “$493,900,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $758,980,000.
SECTION 85. Item 1595-1068 of section 2E of said chapter 9 is hereby amended by striking out the figure “$547,582,400” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $855,655,520.
SECTION 86. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the special commission established in section 149 of chapter 135 of the acts of 2024 is hereby revived and continued to December 31, 2025. The special commission shall submit its report and recommendations pursuant to said section 149 of said chapter 135 with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate not later than December 31, 2025.
SECTION 87. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, sections 88 and 94 of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024 and section 24 shall only apply to land purchased or taken under a tax title on or after November 1, 2024.
SECTION 88. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the special commission established in section 202 of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024 is hereby revived and continued to October 15, 2025. The special commission shall submit its report and recommendations, if any, pursuant to said section 202 of said chapter 140 with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate not later than October 15, 2025.
SECTION 89. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the special commission established in section 127 of chapter 150 of the acts of 2024 is hereby revived and continued to December 31, 2025. The special commission shall submit its report and recommendations, if any, pursuant to said section 127 of said chapter 150 with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the joint committee on housing not later than December 31, 2025.
SECTION 90. The special commission established in section 148 of chapter 135 of the acts of 2024 is hereby revived and continued and shall file its final report not later than September 1, 2025.
SECTION 91. The special commission established in section 150 of chapter 178 of the acts of 2024 is hereby revived and continued and shall file its final report not later than December 31, 2025.
SECTION 92. The special commission established in section 152 of chapter 178 of the acts of 2024 is hereby revived and continued and shall file its final report not later than December 31, 2025.
SECTION 93. The task force established in section 5 of chapter 214 of the acts of 2024 is hereby revived and continued and shall file its final report not later than November 15, 2025.
SECTION 94. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the special commission established in section 128 of chapter 150 of the acts of 2024 is hereby revived and continued to December 31, 2025. The special commission shall submit its recommendations pursuant to said section 128 of said chapter 150 with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the joint committee on housing not later than December 31, 2025.
SECTION 95. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the special commission established in section 36 of chapter 285 of the acts of 2024 is hereby revived and continued to March 30, 2026. The special commission shall submit its report and recommendations pursuant to said section 36 of said chapter 285 with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate not later than March 30, 2026.
SECTION 96. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the special legislative commission established in chapter 74 of the acts of 2021 is hereby revived and continued to September 30, 2025. The special commission shall file its findings and recommendations pursuant to said chapter 74 with the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives, the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities, the joint committee on housing, the joint committee on education, the joint committee on community development and small businesses, the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies, the joint committee on public health, the joint committee on racial equity, civil rights, and inclusion and the senate and house committees on ways and means not later than September 30, 2025.
SECTION 97. Notwithstanding sections 185A to 185E, inclusive, of chapter 140 of the General Laws, as amended by sections 249 and 250 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, no person shall be required to be licensed to engage in the business of selling tickets or the business of reselling or facilitating a mechanism for 2 or more parties to participate in the resale of any ticket of admission under said section 185A of said chapter 140 until January 1, 2026.
SECTION 98. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any unexpended balances, not to exceed a total of $40,000,000, in items 4000-0700 and 4000-1426 of section 2 of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024 shall not revert to the General Fund until September 1, 2025 and may be expended by the executive office of health and human services to pay for services enumerated in said items 4000-0700 and 4000-1426 provided during fiscal year 2025.
SECTION 99. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for fiscal year 2025, the secretary of health and human services, with the written approval of the secretary of administration and finance, may authorize transfers of surplus among items 4000-0320, 4000-0430, 4000-0500, 4000-0601, 4000-0641, 4000-0700, 4000-0875, 4000-0880, 4000-0885, 4000-0940, 4000-0950, 4000-0990, 4000-1400, 4000-1420 and 4000-1426.
SECTION 100. Notwithstanding the terms of any prior appropriation or any other general or special law to the contrary, any unexpended funds appropriated to and held by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation shall be transferred to and expended by the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency to ensure post-merger continuity of the agency’s programs.
SECTION 101. The salary adjustments and other economic benefits authorized by the following collective bargaining agreements shall be effective for the purposes of section 7 of chapter 150E of the General Laws:
(1) the agreement between the Sheriff of Bristol County and the National Correctional Employees’ Union, Local 103, K-9 Unit, Unit SA7, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(2) the agreement between the Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts and Service Employees International Union, Local 888, Unit L95, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(3) the agreement between the Secretary of the Commonwealth and Service Employees International Union, Local 888 AFL/CIO on behalf of certain employees of the Suffolk Registry of Deeds, Unit SC2, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(4) the agreement between the Sheriff of Bristol County and the National Correctional Employees’ Union, Local 103 K-9 Unit, Unit SA7, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(5) the agreement between the Sheriff of Plymouth County and the New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA), Local 580 (BCI), Unit SP3, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(6) the agreement between the Sheriff of Norfolk County and the National Association of Government Employees, RI Local 202, Unit SN1, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(7) the agreement between the Sheriff of Norfolk County and the County Correctional Officers Association, NEPBA Local 570, Unit SN3, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(8) the agreement between the Board of Higher Education and the Association of Professional Administrators, MTA/NEA, Unit APA, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(9) the agreement between the Sheriff of Norfolk County and the County Correctional Officers Association, NEPBA Local 575, Unit SN2, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(10) the agreement between the Sheriff of Hampshire County and the Hampshire Sheriff’s Office Treatment Association (SOTA), Unit SH6, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(11) the agreement between the Sheriff of Hampshire County and the Hampshire Jail and House of Correction Supervisory Correctional Officers, Unit SH8, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(12) the agreement between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the New England Police Benevolent Association, Unit 4A, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(13) the agreement between the Sheriff of Barnstable County and NAGE-IBCO, Local 217, Unit S3B, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(14) the agreement between the University of Massachusetts and The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, Local 1776, AFL-CIO, Unit A01, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(15) the agreement between the University of Massachusetts and the American Federation of State and County and Municipal Employees, Local 507/Council 93, AFL-CIO, Unit D82, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(16) the agreement between the University of Massachusetts and the New England Police Benevolent Local 290, Unit B33, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(17) the agreement between the University of Massachusetts and the New England Police Benevolent Local 285, Unit B3S, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(18) the agreement between the Sheriff of Hampshire County and the Non-Uniform Correctional Association, Unit SH7, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(19) the agreement between the University of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, MTA/NEA, Unit A50, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(20) the agreement between the University of Massachusetts and the Faculty Staff Union, Unit B40, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(21) the agreement between the Sheriff of Barnstable County and the National Correctional Employees Union, Local 122, Unit S9B, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(22) the agreement between the Sheriff of Hampden County and the National Correctional Employees Union, Local 131, Unit SH1, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(23) the agreement between the Sheriff of Barnstable County and NAGE-Administrative Office Workers, Local 220, Unit S5B, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(24) the agreement between the Sheriff of Worcester County and the New England Police Benevolent Association, Local 550, Unit SW6, effective from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028;
(25) the agreement between the Sheriff of Middlesex County and the National Correctional Employees Union, Local 116, Unit SM6, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(26) the agreement between the University of Massachusetts and the Classified Staff Union, Units B31 and B32, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(27) the agreement between the University of Massachusetts and The Professional Staff Union/Massachusetts Teachers Association/NEA Unit B (Non-Exempt Supervisory Unit), Unit A15, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(28) the agreement between the University of Massachusetts and the University Staff Association/MTA/NEA, Unit A08, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
(29) the agreement between the Sheriff of Hampshire County and the National Correctional Employee Union (NCEU), Unit SH5, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027; and
(30) the agreement between the University of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Society of Professors / UMass Lowell, MTA/NEA (“MSP”), Unit L90, effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.
SECTION 102. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the comptroller shall transfer all funds currently in the inspector general expendable trust to the Office of the Inspector General Recovery Fund established in section 2LLLLLL of chapter 29 of the General Laws not later than 90 days from the effective date of this act.
SECTION 103. The department of elementary and secondary education and the board of education shall update regulations, as necessary, consistent with sections 25, and 27 to 31, inclusive.
SECTION 104. Section 49 shall take effect on August 1, 2025.
SECTION 105. Section 50 shall take effect on August 1, 2026.
Approved, August 5, 2025.