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S 2085

Establishes new targets for offshore wind electricity generation

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 28 co-sponsors

Creates grants for leadership training and career ladders, CNA tuition reimbursement, and a refundable caregiver tax credit to boost long-term care staffing.

REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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Bill Summary · S 2085

Summary — S.2085 (filed Jan 9, 2025)

Status: Filed in the Senate; referred to committees (see “Procedural notes” below)

Note: Although an alternate short title in the packet refers to offshore wind, the bill text provided is a Massachusetts state bill titled “An Act to improve long‑term care staffing and dignity for caregivers.” The summary below follows the actual bill text.

Purpose

The bill creates workforce development, training, tuition‑reimbursement and tax‑credit programs to (1) strengthen supervisory and career‑ladder training for long‑term care workers, (2) reimburse select certified nursing assistant (CNA) training costs, and (3) provide a refundable tax credit to eligible family caregivers. The intent is to improve staff recruitment and retention, raise quality of care, and reduce turnover in long‑term care settings while supporting unpaid family caregivers.

Key provisions

  • Chapter 23 — new sections 9V and 9W (Commonwealth Corporation / Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development)

    • Section 9V: Establishes a grant program to fund evidence‑based supervisory and leadership training for nursing facility staff aimed at improving job satisfaction and reducing turnover.
    • Section 9W: Creates an extended care career‑ladder grant program (grants up to 3 years) for entry‑level long‑term care workers (certified nursing assistants, home health aides, homemakers, personal care attendants, etc.). Grants may fund English and other language training and adult basic education. Quarterly reports to House and Senate Ways and Means required. Administrative/program management costs capped at 4% of the program (including technical assistance/evaluation). Subject to appropriation.

  • Chapter 111 — new section 4P (Department of Public Health)

    • Establishes a tuition reimbursement program for certified nursing assistant training, subject to appropriation.
    • Reimbursement conditions: (i) training completed in an approved CNA program; (ii) costs actually paid by the CNA from personal funds; and (iii) the individual begins employment as a CNA in a licensed nursing facility within 12 months of completing training/competency testing.

  • Chapter 62 — tax code amendment (new subsection (u) to §6)

    • Creates a refundable caregiver tax credit equal to 100% of eligible expenditures up to $1,500 per taxable year for qualifying family caregivers (income caps: MA AGI < $75,000 single; <$150,000 joint).
    • Eligible expenditures include home modifications to permit mobility/safety, purchase/lease of equipment to assist with activities of daily living, hiring home care aides/personal care attendants, respite care, adult day health, transportation, legal/financial services, and assistive technology.
    • Limits: total credits claimed for the same care recipient cannot exceed $1,500; rules for allocation among multiple caregivers; excludes general household maintenance unless directly related to caregiving needs.
    • Evaluation: an “evaluation year” every 5 years after the effective date is referenced for program evaluation.

Who is affected

  • Direct care and entry‑level long‑term care workers (CNAs, home health aides, personal care attendants) — access to training, career ladder grants, and supervisory development.
  • Nursing facilities and long‑term care employers — potential improved retention and supervisory capacity; may apply for grants.
  • Family caregivers meeting income and eligibility criteria — refundable tax credit to offset caregiving‑related expenses.
  • State agencies: Commonwealth Corporation, Executive Office of Labor & Workforce Development, Department of Public Health, and the Department of Revenue — responsible for administering programs and reporting.
  • State budget — programs are subject to appropriation; grant programs include administrative cost limits.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Bill filed Jan 9, 2025 (Senate docket No. 212); presented by Senator Bruce E. Tarr.
  • Referred to relevant committees (records show referrals to Finance and Revenue; hearings were scheduled/rescheduled for Sept. 16, 2025).
  • Several entries in the packet appear inconsistent (different titles and sponsor lists); the summary reflects the bill text provided. Portions of the tax‑code section are truncated in the supplied text; final bill language could add implementation details or limits.

Fiscal note

No specific appropriation amounts or estimated fiscal impacts are included in the bill text. Programs are subject to appropriation; administrative costs for the career‑ladder grants are capped at 4% of the program funds.

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

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