Bill > H224

This bill establishes the Accessibility in the Creative Economy (ACE) grant program to be administered by the Office on Disability, aimed at supporting arts, humanities, and interpretive science organizations in improving accessibility for people with disabilities. The program will be funded through one-tenth of one percent of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services budget, along with potential donations and investment income. A new ACE Commission will be created, primarily composed of individuals with disabilities and disability advocacy experience, including appointees from the Governor, House of Representatives, Senate, and representatives from various disability and cultural organizations. The grant program will provide funding for initiatives such as accessibility training, consulting services, capital improvements (like ramps, elevators, and signage), and planning for ADA compliance. Grants will be awarded competitively, with preference given to organizations in Massachusetts, and will consider factors like racial, geographic, and programmatic diversity. The commission will be required to submit an annual public report detailing fund expenditures and grant recipients by December 31st each year, with the commission itself to be established by December 1, 2026.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H224