Massachusetts S3239: An Act establishing a special legislative commission to study and examine Family, Friend, and Neighbor-Provided Childcare in the Commonwealth

What the bill says

From the introduced text, August 10, 2026:

There shall be a special legislative Family, Friends, and Neighbor (FFN) Care commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to review how FFN care may be formalized and regulated in the commonwealth and to make recommendations for potential legislative changes in funding and related policies as the commission deems appropriate. In conducting its review, the special commission shall seek to determine the policies and resources necessary to achieve the commonwealth’s goal of expanding access to FFN care, which is necessary for supporting children, working families and the commonwealth’s continued economic prosperity. To assist the special commission in carrying out its review, the commissioner of early education and care each shall provide to the commission any data and information the commission considers relevant to its charge. The special commission shall include the following members: the chairs of the joint committee on education, who shall serve as co-chairs; the secretary of education, or a designee; the commissioner of early education and care, or a designee; the speaker of the house of representatives, or a designee; the president of the senate, or a designee; the minority leader of the house of representatives, or a designee; the minority leader of the senate, or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Early Education and Care, or …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Education, Joint Committee on (I) · primary sponsor
• Salvatore DiDomenico (D, Middlesex and Suffolk)
• Nick Collins (D, First Suffolk)
• Liz Miranda (D)
• John Keenan (D, Norfolk and Plymouth)
• Patricia Jehlen (D, Second Middlesex)
• Joanne Comerford (D, Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester)
• James Eldridge (D, Middlesex and Worcester)
• Pavel Payano (D)
• Michael Brady (D, Second Plymouth and Norfolk)

Latest actions

1. August 13, 2026: Discharged to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
2. August 10, 2026: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently
3. August 10, 2026: New draft of S341
4. August 10, 2026: Reported from the committee on Education

Votes

• Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Education (July 30, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is S3239?

S3239 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act establishing a special legislative commission to study and examine Family, Friend, and Neighbor-Provided Childcare in the Commonwealth.

What is the status of S3239?

In committee as of August 13, 2026. Latest action: Discharged to the committee on Senate Ways and Means (August 13, 2026).

Who sponsored S3239?

Education, Joint Committee on (I), with 9 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for S3239?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S3239