S 257 Massachusetts Senate · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act to end discriminatory outcomes in vocational school admissions

This bill mandates that Massachusetts vocational-technical schools use a blind lottery system to select students when there are more qualified applicants than available spots. Under the new rules, schools cannot require applicants to submit additional information beyond their current school enrollment and contact details, ensuring the selection process remains anonymous. If a student is not initially admitted, they are placed on a waitlist that the state Department of Education consolidates to fill any future vacancies. Additionally, the law requires the state to collect and publicly report detailed demographic data regarding race, ethnicity, disability status, and economic disadvantage to monitor admission outcomes.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
House Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Apr 1, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House. 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
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Education
upper
1 primary · 7 co-sponsors

Sponsors