H 713 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relative to supporting student participation in 4-H programs

This bill ensures Massachusetts public schools treat student participation in 4-H programs as excused absences, counting up to 5 days per year the same as field trips. Schools must provide make-up work and prevent grades from being negatively affected due to 4-H participation. It does not apply during standardized testing periods or if a student is suspended/expelled. The policy takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Sep 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Sep 4, 2025
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
3
Committee
3
Sep 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
lower
Aug 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Education
lower
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors

Sponsors