Massachusetts Senate to take action on the FutureTech Act, interior design licensure

Thursday debate set to build up state cyber infrastructure, build gender equity and small business growth in interior design

(BOSTON—6/3/2024) This Thursday, the Massachusetts Senate will take up and debate An Act to provide for the future information technology needs of Massachusetts (the FutureTech Act) and An Act relative to advancing the profession of commercial interior design.

Action on the legislation comes following a Monday morning poll of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. Committee votes on both pieces of legislation will be posted publicly on the Senate Ways & Means website following the closing of the poll.

Highlights of the FutureTech Act 

The FutureTech Act will support Massachusetts in building secure, accessible, and user-friendly information technology (IT) infrastructure. The legislation would authorize $1.24 billion in specific and targeted investments to promote government efficiency, support municipalities, invest in state service access and equity, invest in public safety, advance emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, and leverage federal funding.

The statewide investments in the Senate bill closely mirror those included in the original legislation filed by the Governor.

Highlights of An Act relative to advancing the profession of commercial interior design

The legislation establishes a new statewide licensure of Commercial Interior Design, which would empower the majority-women field to participate in certain state and federal projects without having to contract with larger firms with architectural licenses, which often results in lost revenue for interior designers.

Creating a licensed profession statewide would enable registered interior designers to bid individually on certain projects currently off-limit, growing small businesses that are often women-led, and incentivizing graduates in the field to stay in Massachusetts to build their careers and not have to go out-of-state to be able to bid on work.

If passed, Massachusetts would join 29 other states and 31 other jurisdictions that have adopted certain measures to help advance the practice of interior designers.

The Senate plans to take up both pieces of legislation during a formal session at 11:00 am EDT on Thursday, June 6.

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