{"AmendmentNumber":"271","ParentBillNumber":"H5562","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"DAS1","Name":"Danillo A. Sena","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/DAS1","ResponseDate":"2026-07-06T15:29:19.323"},"Category":null,"Action":"Consolidated","RollCall":[],"Title":"Robotics Workforce Preparation Grant","Branch":"House","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Mr. Sena of Acton moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: \r\n\r\n\"SECTION XXX. Chapter 15 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:\r\n\r\nSection 67. (a) A grant program is hereby established to increase robotics and STEM participation in public and charter schools. The purpose of the program is to provide elementary and secondary students with opportunities to develop technical and professional skills, including public speaking, leadership, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, creativity, hardware, and software skills, that prepare them for the workforce. The program shall be known as the Workforce Preparation Robotics Grant Program and shall be administered and funded by the department.\r\n\r\n(b) The department shall award grants to eligible public and charter elementary and secondary schools as follows:\r\n\r\n(i) Applicants shall be public or charter elementary or secondary schools in the Commonwealth. Preference shall be given to schools without an existing robotics club or established robotics program; provided, however, that schools located in Cape Cod and Western Massachusetts shall receive priority consideration.\r\n\r\n(ii) Applicants shall commit to operating a team registered with one of the following programs: FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, or FIRST LEGO League.\r\n\r\n(iii) Applications shall be submitted to the department by June 1 of each year for grants awarded for the following academic year.\r\n\r\n(c) Grant awards shall be provided in the following amounts:\r\n\r\n(i) Elementary schools:\r\n\r\n(A) Schools without an existing robotics club or established robotics program: $1,250 for a FIRST LEGO League program.\r\n\r\n(B) Schools with an existing robotics club or established robotics program: $750 for a FIRST LEGO League program.\r\n\r\n(ii) Middle schools:\r\n\r\n(A) Schools without an existing robotics club or established robotics program: $5,000 for a FIRST Tech Challenge team.\r\n\r\n(B) Schools with an existing robotics club or established robotics program: $3,000 for a FIRST Tech Challenge team.\r\n\r\n(iii) High schools:\r\n\r\n(A) Schools without an existing robotics club or established robotics program: $20,000 for a FIRST Robotics Competition team.\r\n\r\n(B) Schools with an existing robotics club or established robotics program: $15,000 for a FIRST Robotics Competition team.\r\n\r\n(d) Grant awards shall be made within amounts appropriated for this purpose and subject to the availability of funds.\r\n\r\n(e) The department shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement this program.”\r\n"}