Bill will prevent individuals with outstanding student loan debt from having their professional licenses revoked

BOSTON – On Monday, November 21st, Senator Sal DiDomenico joined his legislative colleagues to pass legislation to prevent individuals who default on their student loans from having their license or professional certification revoked as a result. As of Fall 2022, approximately one million Massachusetts residents hold a combined total of nearly $31 billion dollars in federal student loan debt, with an average debt of $34,146 per borrower.

“There are countless Massachusetts residents who worked hard for a professional license so they could find a steady career, and I am extremely proud to pass this bill protecting their livelihood,” said Senator DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “Student loan debt burdens around one million Bay Staters, and with payments set to resume next June, there is no better time to take this decisive action which will help people in debt to keep their jobs and will actually enable them to continue paying back what they owe. I want to thank Senate President Spilka, Senator Eldridge, and Representative Higgins for all their efforts to protect borrowers in Massachusetts.”

Under current Massachusetts law, residents can have their licenses or professional certification revoked, denied, or refused for renewal as a result of defaulting on their student loan debt. Massachusetts is one of only 14 states with such a law. The bill does away with the law and blocks any state agency or board of registration from denying or revoking any license or professional or occupational certificate or registration based on an individual’s default on an educational loan.

The bill does not change the state’s ability to use traditional loan collection tools.

Having previously passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives, the bill goes to the Governor for his consideration.

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WASHINGTON DC – Senator DiDomenico recently accepted an invitation from the Washington Area State Relations Group (WASRG) to join a leadership panel during their Inside the Dome event. DiDomenico was joined by Maryland’s Senate President, Virginia’s House Majority Leader, and North Carolina’s House Senior Appropriations Chair. Senator DiDomenico offered his perspective on the next legislative session in Massachusetts and discussed state policy ideas with the other panelists.

“Our state is a nationwide leader on countless important issues, and I am always happy to have opportunities like this to speak about our values and our legislative accomplishments,” said Senator DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “I also appreciate events like this where I can learn about the latest policy and political developments in other states, which can inform what we do here in the Commonwealth. I want to thank WASRG for inviting me and the rest of the panel for their insight and perspective.”

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MassBioEd Honors First Graduates of the Life Sciences Apprenticeship Program

CAMBRIDGE – Last week, Senator DiDomenico delivered the keynote speech for the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd)’s Life Sciences Apprenticeship Program graduation. MassBioEd, a nonprofit focused on education, training, and workforce development within the burgeoning Life Sciences sector, honored the inaugural graduating class of its Life Sciences Apprenticeship program at a ceremony held at the MassBioHub. State Senator Sal DiDomenico joined with Massachusetts employers participating in the program to recognize the 21 graduates, who hail from 14 different Massachusetts cities and towns and worked for 11 different life science companies around Massachusetts.

The Life Sciences Apprenticeship Program supports the growing demand for talent in the life sciences sector by providing a unique opportunity for accelerated education and training to Massachusetts residents who are new to the workforce or interested in transitioning into the life sciences field. The graduation event coincided with the start of National Apprenticeship Week, a federal observance celebrating apprenticeship programs that support racial and gender equity and help advance critical talent pipelines to address larger workforce challenges.

“I was honored to be invited as the keynote speaker at this inspiring graduation ceremony,” said Senator DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “This program provides individuals from underrepresented backgrounds with skills to attain a high-paying career where they can work on cutting-edge medicine and research that will help improve the lives of patients all over the world. This is an incredible program that has and will continue to help countless people in our communities and close the skills gap in Massachusetts.”

Launched in 2021, MassBioEd’s Life Sciences Apprenticeship program aims to create a diverse pipeline of trained individuals for difficult-to-fill positions at local companies and provide a pathway to a career in life sciences and improved future career prospects for individuals in the program. The program includes tracks in biomanufacturing and clinical operations, with a third career pathway to be introduced in 2023. Apprentices complete three to five months of classroom education followed by one year of paid on-the-job training at a partnering life sciences company. To date, 20 employers have participated in the program, and at least 17 apprentices already have been offered full-time positions. In 2022 MassBioEd enrolled 66 apprentices in the program, 65 percent of whom are people of color. These individuals were also recognized at the event for completing the educational portion of the program.

“Biotech has always interested me, and I was adamant about finding a career that I enjoy – this apprenticeship turned out to be a golden opportunity when I needed it the most. I will always look back on this experience with appreciation,” said David Gazelian, a member of the graduating class and current Biomanufacturing Technician at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. “One of the most valuable aspects of the apprenticeship was the people I met. They inspired me to take every day and learn something new. This apprenticeship has opened the door to a new career path for me, and words can’t describe how thankful I am to be part of this.”

Partnering employers include major life sciences companies such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, AbbVie, and Takeda.

To learn more about the Apprenticeship Program, please visit https://www.massbioed.org/apprenticeship-program or contact Apprenticeship@massbioed.org.

About the Program

This unique program is registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and provides candidates an alternative pathway into the life sciences industry. MassBioEd has focused on recruiting candidates from under-represented groups in the industry as well as unemployed and underemployed individuals. Through accelerated training, apprentices gain foundational knowledge, industry-recognized skills, and work experience. MassBioEd chose to target Biomanufacturing Technicians and Clinical Trial Associates for the first year of the apprenticeship program because of high employer demand for these occupations. Learn more here.

About MassBioEd Foundation

The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd) is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization. Its mission is to build a sustainable life sciences workforce in the region through educational programs that engage and excite teachers, inspire and propel students, and illuminate the pathway from the classroom to careers with a focus on expansion, opportunity, and diversity.

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