Sen. Gómez Secures $5 Million Indoor Air Quality Investment in Mass Ready Act

BOSTON — Senator Adam Gómez secured a $5 million amendment to improve indoor air quality in schools, public housing, and other public buildings as part of the Massachusetts Senate’s passage of the Mass Ready Act, a major environmental bond bill focused on climate resilience and public health.

Amendment 249, filed by Gómez, establishes a pilot program to identify and monitor indoor air pollution and mold contamination in high-use public facilities, including schools, childcare centers, correctional facilities, and state-managed buildings. The program will be administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in consultation with the Department of Public Health.

“For communities like mine in Springfield, this is not theoretical — it’s everyday life,” Gómez said. “This amendment is about something fundamental: the right of every person in the Commonwealth to breathe clean, safe air, no matter their ZIP code, income, or the condition of the building they live, learn, or work in.”

The amendment builds on legislation previously filed by Gómez, SD.2074, which established a comprehensive framework to identify, monitor, and remediate indoor air pollution and mold contamination in public-serving facilities. In Springfield, residents have long faced the consequences of poor indoor air quality, particularly in environmental justice communities.

Gómez pointed to ongoing concerns at the Gerena School, where air quality issues have impacted students and staff, as well as conditions at the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse, underscoring the need for greater oversight and accountability in public buildings. “At its core, this is about fairness and dignity,” he added. “This is a practical step forward, but it’s also long overdue.”