H 591 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act concerning education in honor of Byron Rushing

This bill requires all public schools in Massachusetts to include a specific unit of instruction on Black History as part of their curriculum. It mandates that higher education institutions, including community colleges and universities, offer a dedicated course covering the same topics. The required content must address the history of the African slave trade, slavery in America, its lasting effects, and the contributions of African Americans to society, alongside a commitment to respect and non-discrimination. While the state Department of Education may provide instructional guidelines, individual schools and colleges retain the authority to determine the minimum time required to complete these requirements.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Feb 2024
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Apr 8, 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
7
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Feb 29, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Education
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors