Senator Collins Files Amendment to the Bright Act for UMass Boston Nursing School
Funding would also be set aside for a satellite campus at the former Carney Hospital Site
Senator Nick Collins, a member of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, this week voted to advance Senate consideration of the BRIGHT Act, a major higher education infrastructure bill, while filing an amendment aimed at building a new facility for UMass Boston’s nursing program on the Columbia Point campus, as well as a potential satellite campus on the former Carney Hospital site in Dorchester.
The Senate Committee on Ways and Means voted to move forward the BRIGHT Act (S.2962), a $3.28 billion bond bill focused on modernizing facilities across Massachusetts’ public higher education system, including community colleges, state universities, and UMass campuses. The legislation addresses long-deferred maintenance needs, supports laboratory modernization and workforce training facilities, and invests in climate resilience and energy efficiency upgrades across campuses.
The bill also dedicates $125 million annually in Fair Share revenue to support public higher education capital projects and encourages redevelopment of underutilized campus property into housing and mixed-use spaces.
“Putting our students in a position to succeed and ensuring Massachusetts remains a leader in education must be a top priority,” said Senator Collins. “To do that, we need high quality facilities. That’s what the Bright Act will deliver. My amendment seeks to build on what’s already a strong bill.”
In conjunction with the legislation, Senator Collins filed an amendment directing $130 million to the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Manning College of Nursing & Health Sciences to construct new facilities on the Columbia Point campus, with a portion reserved for the potential to acquire or lease a satellite facility at the former Carney Hospital site. The amendment allows for long-term leasing agreements while requiring area standard wages and a project labor agreement.
The proposal would expand nursing education capacity and quality, while creating hands-on clinical training opportunities for those underrepresented in the field of nursing.
“The mission of the Manning Nursing School at UMass Boston is a unique one and one that deserves the state’s support,” said Senator Nick Collins, who pointed out that around 80 percent of UMass Boston graduates stay in Massachusetts after graduation.
The BRIGHT Act and accompanying amendments will be taken up by the full Massachusetts Senate for consideration on Thursday, February 26.
