H 5157 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relative to safer schools

This bill limits school resource officers' (SROs) roles in schools by prohibiting them from handling routine discipline or replacing counselors. It requires SROs to only intervene in serious criminal incidents (like physical harm, malicious property damage, or theft of significant value) and mandates de-escalation training. Schools must annually report costs, mental health budgets, and detailed data on student interactions with SROs (including arrests and referrals), with the education department collecting and publishing this data. The bill also creates grants to help schools adopt non-law enforcement safety practices, such as conflict resolution and culturally affirming approaches.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Governor
Introduced Mar 20, 2025 Last action May 5, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Feb 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Committee
Reported, referred to the committee on Joint Rules, reported, rules suspended and referred to the committee on Education
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on House Rules
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors