Friedman votes for Life Sciences bill to continue investment in cutting-edge industry critical to state economy Bill extends tax incentives to life sciences industry and authorizes targeted investments in research and training facilities at UMass campuses across the state

BOSTON — On May 31, Senator Friedman joined her Senate colleagues in voting to pass a bill extending the state’s investment in life sciences research and training to capitalize on the state’s national advantage in the sector responsible for thousands of jobs in the state.

The bill, S.2531, An Act providing continued investment in the life sciences industry in the Commonwealth, extends the state’s life sciences tax incentive program for another ten years, proposes millions of dollars in grants to community colleges and vocational schools to increase employment opportunities, and authorizes spending on initiatives to promote regional efforts to advance innovations in bio-manufacturing. The bill is based on the $1 billion, ten-year initiative launched by Governor Deval Patrick in 2007.

“The life sciences and biotech industry is a major source of jobs and plays a important role in boosting our economy,” said Senator Friedman. “This bill will ensure that Massachusetts continues to lead the way by making additional investments in life sciences education, innovation, and workforce training.

The bill also authorizes spending for innovative new programs at the state’s University of Massachusetts (UMass) campuses, including:

  • a biotechnology and precision manufacturing research and training facility at UMass-Amherst;
  • a center for nursing innovation at UMass-Boston;
  • expansion and renovation of the center for advanced bio-manufacturing and digital health at UMass-Dartmouth; and
  • a joint proposal between UMass-Lowell and UMass Medical School to advance neuroscience workforce training, research and commercialization of medical devices.

The final bill, H.4501, was signed into law on June 15, 2018.