An Act expanding the community college training incentive program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Carmine Gentile and 1 co-sponsor

Expands the Community College Training Incentive Program to cover both credit-bearing and not-for-credit courses, widening access for students and employers.

Hearing scheduled for 09/11/2025 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM in A-1

Purpose and intent

This bill seeks to expand the Commonwealth’s Community College Training Incentive Program to explicitly encompass both not-for-credit and credit-bearing courses. The aim is to broaden eligibility and participation in the program, supporting training at Massachusetts community colleges that leads to workforce preparation, whether the courses are offered for credit or not for credit.

Key provisions and changes

Section 15F of Chapter 15A of the General Laws (as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition) is amended:

In multiple locations, the phrase “not-for-credit” is followed by the addition of the word “and credit-bearing.” This ensures the program language covers both types of training.
A later change replaces the phrase “not for-credit” with “not-for-credit and credit-bearing,” harmonizing references throughout the section to include both credit-bearing and not-for-credit offerings.

Overall effect: The Community College Training Incentive Program would apply to both credit-bearing and not-for-credit courses, rather than just one category.

Affected parties and impact

Primary beneficiaries: Students enrolled in Massachusetts community colleges, including those pursuing credit-bearing certificates/degrees and those participating in not-for-credit workforce training programs.

Community colleges: Institutions would align program eligibility with a broader set of training offerings, potentially expanding enrollment and participation in the incentive program.

Workforce and employers: May experience broader access to trained workers, with incentives supporting a wider range of training pathways.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: February 27, 2025.

Referred to: Committee on Higher Education (2025-02-27).

Legislative actions: Senate concurrence noted on 2025-02-27.

Hearing: Scheduled for September 11, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, in hearing room A-1.

Related bill: HD 147 (replaces) referenced in materials.

Note: The bill text provided is limited to amendments clarifying the scope of the program; no specific funding levels or implementation timelines are included in the excerpt.

What would change in practice

Expands eligibility language to explicitly cover both credit-bearing and not-for-credit training within the community college program.

Potentially increases participation by students pursuing traditional degree/certificate programs as well as non-credit workforce training, aligning policy with a broader workforce development approach.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to the existing language in Section 15F prior to this change, or outline potential fiscal implications based on typical structures of the incentive program.

Bill