An Act reducing the cost of attending college

This bill creates a new state fund called the Open Educational Resource Trust Fund to help lower the cost of college textbooks for students in Massachusetts. The fund will be financed through state appropriations, private donations, and interest earnings, with rules ensuring that private money does not come with conditions that could undermine the goal of free educational materials. Money from the fund can be used to develop, adapt, and distribute free learning materials, as well as to train educators and provide technical support for these resources. Additionally, the bill establishes a competitive grant program to encourage the creation of open educational resources for public colleges and early college programs. By replacing expensive textbooks with free alternatives, the legislation aims to reduce financial barriers for students and promote greater academic success.