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SD 253

An Act relative to government efficiency

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Julian Cyr

Massachusetts agencies must apply behavioral science to improve program access, information design, and incentives, test impacts, and partner with researchers for evaluation.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 253

Summary: Senate Docket No. 253 — An Act relative to government efficiency (2025-2026)

Overview

This bill would add a new policy directive to promote the use of behavioral science insights across Massachusetts state government. Titled the Behavioral Science Insights Policy Directive, the measure aims to improve public welfare, program outcomes, and cost-effectiveness by encouraging agencies to identify opportunities for behavioral interventions, test and evaluate their impact, and strengthen ties with the research community. It creates a structured framework for integrating behavioral science into administrative practice without altering existing statutory authority.

What the bill would do

  • Create a new section (Chapter 6A, Section 4B): Establishes a Behavioral Science Insights Policy Directive for administrative, independent, and judicial agencies.

  • Agency duties (subsection a):

    • Identify policies, programs, and operations where behavioral insights could yield substantial benefits.
    • Develop strategies to apply those insights and, where possible, rigorously test and evaluate their impact.
    • Strengthen relationships with the research community to use empirical findings from behavioral sciences.

  • Implementation requirements (subsection b):

    • Streamline processes to help eligible individuals, families, communities, and businesses access public programs (reduce hurdles, shorten wait times, simplify forms).
    • Improve presentation of information to consumers and program beneficiaries (consider content, format, timing, and medium to improve comprehension and action).
    • Identify programs with choices and optimize how options are presented, including default options, to promote public welfare.
    • Review incentives and program design aimed at actions like saving for retirement, resolving legal issues, or completing education, with attention to timing, labeling, and the use of nonfinancial incentives.

  • Regulatory alignment (subsection c): For programs with regulatory components, combine behavioral insights with ongoing regulatory reviews to reduce burdens, aligning with Access to Justice Commission recommendations and best practices for administrative justice.

  • Research engagement (subsection d): Agencies must engage outside researchers to provide guidance and rigorous evaluation, prioritizing evidence-based methods (e.g., randomized controlled trials) and behavioral science expertise.

  • Authority protection (subsection e): Nothing in the section is intended to limit the legal authority of government entities.

Who and what would be affected

  • Affected entities: Administrative agencies, independent agencies, and the judiciary within Massachusetts state government. Public programs and benefits, information delivery, and service access processes would be directly affected. Outside researchers and academic partners would play a consultative and evaluative role.

  • Public impact: Potential improvements in program access and comprehension, more effective incentive design, and better evaluation of policy interventions.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight; House concurred (indicating cross-chamber agreement on the bill’s framework).
  • Legal placement: Adds new Section 4B to Chapter 6A of the General Laws.

Key takeaways

  • The bill codifies a government-wide emphasis on behavioral science to enhance efficiency and outcomes.
  • It seeks concrete changes in access, information design, choice architecture, and incentive structures, with an emphasis on rigorous evaluation and external research collaboration.
  • It does not specify funding or appropriations, but directs agencies to pursue improvements within existing authorities and regulatory reviews.

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

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