An Act clarifying and normalizing non-public school service purchases

This bill allows teachers who previously worked in Massachusetts non-public schools to count that time toward their public school retirement benefits. To do this, educators must pay a specific amount into their retirement fund, calculated as if they had been paid for those years in a public school, with a limit of ten years of credit. The law defines eligible non-public schools as private institutions that award high school diplomas or equivalents, excluding after-school programs or home-based activities. Additionally, the bill includes refund rules to return payments with interest if a teacher later qualifies for a pension from another source. These changes aim to standardize how service in private schools is treated for retirement purposes compared to public school employment.