H 524 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act to end discriminatory outcomes in vocational school admissions

This bill requires vocational-technical schools in Massachusetts to use a blind lottery system to select students when there are more qualified applicants than available spots. The process ensures that no personal information is used to favor one student over another, and it creates a waitlist for those not immediately admitted to fill future vacancies. Additionally, the law mandates that the state department of education collect and publicly report data on student demographics, including race, ethnicity, and economic status, to monitor enrollment patterns. These changes directly affect vocational schools and the students applying to them by standardizing how admission decisions are made.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Feb 20, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Education
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors