This bill aims to enhance the employment conditions and benefits for adjunct faculty in public higher education institutions in Massachusetts. It amends Section 2 (e) of chapter 32A of the General Laws to include adjunct faculty who teach the equivalent of at least two three or more-credit courses per semester or four three or more-credit courses per calendar year, thereby expanding eligibility for certain benefits. The bill stipulates that the commonwealth, rather than the public institutions, will bear the costs of implementing coverage for these faculty members, with a gradual increase in the percentage of premium costs covered by the commonwealth over several fiscal years, ultimately reaching 75% in subsequent years.

Additionally, the bill establishes a working group tasked with studying adjunct faculty employment across the University of Massachusetts, state universities, and community colleges. This group will consist of various stakeholders, including representatives from higher education and the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and will focus on issues such as adjunct faculty eligibility for the state retirement system, their rights and compensation, and pathways for advancement to full-time positions. The working group is required to submit a report by December 31, 2026, detailing their findings and recommendations, including an analysis of the financial implications of extending retirement benefits to adjunct faculty.