Massachusetts Bills

This is a procedural report submission, not a substantive bill. HD 5380 requires the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab to submit its second-quarter 2024 report to legislative committees as mandated by Chapter 28 of the 2023 Acts of Massachusetts. The report details quarterly metrics including caseloads, turnaround times, and backlog data across forensic biology, chemistry, and support sections. It does not create new laws or policies but fulfills a statutory reporting requirement for transparency.

This bill is a procedural report submission (not a new law) from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. It details the methodology for distributing $4.49 million in state funds (split as $2.39 million to 15 community colleges and $2.1 million to 8 state universities) for mental health services during fiscal year 2024. The funds support crisis services, therapy, sexual assault response, substance use disorder help, and stress/anxiety assistance specifically targeting underrepresented students (students of color, low-income, first-generation, and other marginalized groups). The report fulfills a requirement under line item 7066-1123 of Chapter 28 of the 2023 Acts of the Massachusetts Legislature.

HD 5378 is a routine administrative communication, not a legislative bill, from the Massachusetts Office of the Comptroller. It submits the Paid Prior Year Deficiency Report for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, detailing $1,606,118.37 in payments made to cover prior-year budget shortfalls across 10 state departments. The report explains that departments with sufficient funds at year-end (reverting money to the General Fund) paid $318,898.85, while those with insufficient funds paid $1,287,219.52 - both amounts reimbursed from each department’s current fiscal year appropriation. This submission complies with Section 2B of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025, requiring regular reporting on deficiency payments.

HD 5381 is a procedural bill requiring the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to submit the Morrissey Boulevard Commission’s final corridor study report to the legislature. The bill does not create new policy but formally transmits the study’s findings on traffic patterns, infrastructure gaps, and climate resilience for Morrissey Boulevard (from Andrew Square to Neponset Circle). It directly affects MassDOT, which must fulfill this reporting obligation under Chapter 176 of the 2022 Acts. The bill’s purpose is to provide transparency on the study’s data, including traffic volumes and proposed solutions, without altering any existing laws or funding.

This procedural bill (HD 5382) requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to submit its Genocide Education Trust Fund and Programming report for fiscal year 2025. It directly involves the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and references Section 2(f) of Chapter 98 (2021 Acts), which established the Genocide Education Trust Fund. The bill itself does not create new policy but mandates the submission of an annual report on fund usage and educational programming. No new funding or requirements are created by this bill.

Report of the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds (pursuant to Section 2KKK(a) of Chapter 29 of the General Laws) submitting its plan for expenditure from the Norfolk County Registers Technological Fund report

The committee on Environment and Natural Resources to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 587) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to protect pollinators and public health by prohibiting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2746).

Report of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (pursuant to Chapter 88 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its monthly report on Temporary Respite Centers

Report of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (pursuant to line item 1599-6081 of Chapter 268 of the Acts of 2022) submitting its Clean Energy Fund report

Report of the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (pursuant to Section 8(g) of Chapter 161B of the General Laws) submitting its audited financial statements and supplementary information for the year ended June 30, 2025

Report of the Department of Public Health (pursuant to 105 CMR 451.403) submitting the inspection report for Bridgewater State Hospital, the Plan of Correction (POC) from the facility and the POC acceptance letter from the Division of Environmental Health Regulations and Standards (EHRS)

Report of the Pension Reserves Investment Management Board (pursuant to Section 23(2A)(e)(xi) of Chapter 32 of the General Laws) submitting its PRIM Quarterly report for period ending September 30, 2025