State Representative Susan Williams Gifford (R-Wareham) supported the expansion of Massachusetts' life science industry by backing House Bill 4501 on May 16. The bill, which passed 149 to 3, authorizes $462 million in capital funding for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Investment Fund. Approximately one-third of this funding is scheduled to be distributed to programs at the state’s public universities, including UMass Dartmouth.

“The life sciences industry is thriving in Massachusetts," Gifford said in a recent press release. "And this bill will position the Commonwealth to continue to be a national leader for many years to come."

House Bill 4501 will require the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to invest funding in minority-owned businesses, provide grants to school districts and community colleges with significant minority populations, and develop strategies to diversify the state’s life sciences and biotechnology workforce.

The bill also promotes the use of internships for minority high school, college and community college students to encourage students to pursue full-time employment in the life sciences industry after graduation.

Under the proposal, the annual cap on the Life Sciences Tax Incentive Program will increase from $25 million to $30 million in January. The tax program, which was due to expire at the end of this year, will also be extended for another 10 years through December of 2028.

The bill now awaits further action from the State Senate.