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H 2080

An Act to promote economic mobility through ESOL

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rob Consalvo and 10 co-sponsors

Establishes a statewide ESOL for Economic Mobility program, led by a coordinator, to expand English-language training for LEP workers, boost job opportunities, and align funding.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 2080

Summary of H.2080: An Act to promote economic mobility through ESOL

Purpose and goals

H.2080 would create a dedicated statewide framework to expand English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) opportunities aimed at improving economic mobility for workers with limited English proficiency (LEP). The bill establishes a central coordinator within the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) to develop and oversee a comprehensive ESOL strategy in partnership with other state agencies, employers, training providers, community colleges, and workforce organizations. The overarching aim is to prepare LEP workers for in-demand jobs across Massachusetts.

Key provisions

Section 1 — ESOL for Economic Mobility Coordinator

  • Creates an ESOL for Economic Mobility Coordinator within EOLWD (as established under Chapter 23, sec. 1) to develop a statewide, actionable strategy.
  • The coordinator must convene a broad set of stakeholders (employers, training providers, worker advocacy organizations, community-based groups, LEP constituents) to gather feedback.
  • Coordination and accountability are to be aligned with the Workforce Skills Cabinet and in collaboration with the Executive Office of Education and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; and with the Executive Office of Economic Development to measure effectiveness.
  • Objectives include:
    • Develop a statewide ESOL expansion strategy focused on new arrivals and LEP populations.
    • Increase investment in ESOL to match the growth of the LEP population.
    • As resources rise, shift ESOL funding toward vocational programs.
    • Leverage community colleges to attract more federal ESOL resources.
    • Promote regional collaboration and reduce barriers among local providers.
    • Build the ESOL educator workforce.
    • Improve data collection, research, and evaluation.

Section 2 — Pilot Program

  • Within 90 days of passage, establishes an ESOL for Economic Mobility pilot program run by the coordinator to quickly expand ESOL access to meet employer demand and provide employment opportunities for newly arrived, unemployed, and underemployed LEP workers.

Section 3 — Reporting

  • Within 1 year of passage, the office must submit a comprehensive strategic plan with measurable outcomes and proposed objectives, KPIs, and outcome measures for the following year.
  • Required data include total students served, investment increases, community college ESOL programs and student counts, vocational ESOL programs and participants, number of new ESOL educators deployed, and jobs gained by graduates.
  • Annually thereafter, reports due by August 30 to the governor, the secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, chairs/rankings of relevant committees, and clerks of the House and Senate.

Section 4 — Funding

  • Provides a funding authorization of $13,000,000 for the purposes described in the act, in addition to other appropriations, subject to applicable public funding laws.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Status: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee; further House actions ongoing.
  • Related actions show continued committee reporting timelines and hearings through mid-2025.

Who would be affected

  • LEP workers and newly arrived immigrants seeking ESOL-based advancement.
  • Employers seeking a workforce with improved English-language skills for higher-skill roles.
  • Community colleges, vocational training providers, and other ESOL delivery partners.
  • ESOL educators and program administrators.
  • State agencies coordinating workforce development and education initiatives.

Potential impact

  • A more coordinated, data-driven ESOL expansion designed to align with labor market needs.
  • Increased ESOL capacity and targeted investments, with a shift toward vocational pathways as resources grow.
  • Improved access to federal resources via colleges and enhanced regional collaboration.
  • Regular accountability and measurable outcomes to track progress and economic benefits for LEP workers.

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

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