{"AmendmentNumber":"390","ParentBillNumber":"S3178","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"JMC0","Name":"Joanne M. Comerford","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/JMC0","ResponseDate":"2026-07-20T13:37:57.693"},"Category":null,"Action":"Rejected","RollCall":[],"Title":"Training Program for Municipal Planning Board Members","Branch":"Senate","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Ms. Comerford and Messrs. Cyr, Driscoll, Lewis, Keenan and Feeney move that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 9 the following section:-\r\n“SECTION 9A. Said chapter 23B is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-\r\nSection 37. (a) The executive office of housing and livable communities shall establish a training program for members of local planning boards, special permit granting authorities and zoning boards of appeals to provide education and self-evaluation. The training program shall be an annual training that is offered at no cost to municipalities. In developing the training program, the executive office shall consult with the Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors, Inc., the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies, the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Planning Association, Inc. and the Citizen Planner Training Collaborative. The training program shall cover: (i) special permits; (ii) subdivision control; (iii) variances; (iv) fair housing; and (v) any other laws that govern the role and responsibility of the local planning board. To the extent practicable, the training programs shall be offered online and in various locations throughout the commonwealth, at various times of the year.\r\n(b) Each member of a local planning board, special permit granting authority and zoning board of appeals shall, not later than 60 days after becoming a board member, and every 2 years thereafter, complete the training program. Each member shall, upon completion of the training program, provide notice to the town or city clerk and such notice shall be retained for 6 years.”\r\n"}