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H 3602

An Act creating a commission establishing a Massachusetts Caribbean American Cultural Center

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Chris Worrell

A temporary commission will study the feasibility and governance options for a Massachusetts Caribbean American Cultural Center in Boston, with findings due by end of 2026.

Hearing scheduled for 10/21/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2
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Bill Summary · H 3602

Summary: H.3602 – An Act creating a commission establishing a Massachusetts Caribbean American Cultural Center

Overview

H.3602 proposes establishing a temporary, special legislative commission to study the feasibility of creating a statewide Massachusetts Caribbean American Cultural Center in the City of Boston. The bill directs the commission to explore methods for establishing the center, including the possibility of forming a nonprofit organization to oversee construction and management, and to evaluate the costs of each option while recognizing the Caribbean community’s more than 300-year history in Massachusetts.

Purpose and intent

  • Assess the feasibility of a statewide Caribbean American cultural center centered in Boston.
  • Identify organizational models for governance and operation, including nonprofit structures.
  • Consider how best to represent and honor the Caribbean heritage within Massachusetts and determine associated costs.
  • Produce recommendations, potentially including proposed legislation, to support the center’s creation and ongoing management.

Key provisions

Section 1 — Establishment and scope

  • Creates a special legislative commission under section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws.
  • Tasked with investigating feasibility and potential methods for establishing the Massachusetts Caribbean American Cultural Center in Boston.
  • Requires consideration of organizational options (e.g., nonprofit entity) to oversee construction and management.
  • Requires evaluation of costs for each method, with attention to the Caribbean community’s long history in the Commonwealth.

Section 2 — Commission composition and appointments

  • Members:
    • 3 members of the House of Representatives (caribbean-descent or representing districts with significant Caribbean population); 2 appointed by the Speaker; 1 by the House Minority Leader.
    • 3 members of the Senate (caribbean-descent or representing districts with significant Caribbean population); 2 appointed by the Senate President; 1 by the Senate Minority Leader.
    • 1 member appointed by the Mayor of Boston.
    • 1 member appointed by the Governor.
    • Up to 15 additional members from across Massachusetts; appointments require the approval of three House members and three Senate members.
  • The commission shall elect two co-chairs from among its members.
  • All appointments to be made no later than June 30, 2026.

Section 3 — Reporting

  • The commission must submit its findings and any legislative recommendations to the clerks of the House and Senate no later than December 31, 2026.

Timeline and legislative actions

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development (both 2/27/2025 actions shown).
  • Hearing scheduled: October 21, 2025, 1:00–5:00 PM, in Room B-2.
  • Senate concurrence indicated in the bill record; related House Bill HD 374 is listed as replacing this bill (HD 374).

Who is affected

  • Caribbean-descended residents and communities across Massachusetts, particularly those with ties to the Caribbean heritage.
  • The City of Boston, which would host the center if pursued.
  • The Commonwealth’s tourism, arts, and cultural development sectors, which would engage with and potentially fund or oversee the center through future legislation.
  • Potential future nonprofit or public-private entities established to oversee construction and ongoing management, depending on the commission’s recommendations.

Notes on financial implications

  • The bill does not authorize specific appropriations at this time. Instead, it directs the commission to study and report on costs and feasible funding/ governance models. Any implementation would require future funding legislation.

Bottom line

H.3602 creates a time-limited legislative commission to study the feasibility and governance options for a Massachusetts Caribbean American Cultural Center in Boston, with a formal reporting deadline at the end of 2026. The outcome could inform future legislative activity, including potential establishment and funding for a center that would celebrate and preserve Caribbean heritage within the Commonwealth.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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