Education

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 17, 2025

H 656: An Act relative to healthy youth

This bill (HD 947) requires all Massachusetts public schools - including cities, towns, regional districts, vocational schools, and charters - to file biennial reports on sexual health education. The reports must detail curriculum names, hours taught, student enrollment, and withdrawals, and be submitted to the education board. It also mandates that schools adopt written parental notification policies explaining the curriculum, withdrawal rights, and material inspection options, while ensuring students withdrawn face no penalties and have access to alternative activities. The curriculum must be medically accurate, age-appropriate, and inclusive of topics like consent, gender identity, and LGBTQ+ resources, aligning with state health education standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allows public schools to choose to teach human sexual education, supporting curriculum content in education.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 17, 2025

H 523: An Act to achieve universal pre-kindergarten

This bill establishes the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Commission to study how to expand access to quality pre-kindergarten for all 3- and 4-year-old children in Massachusetts. The commission, chaired by the early education commissioner and including education officials and appointed stakeholders (like Head Start representatives and teachers' unions), must submit recommendations by December 31, 2026. These recommendations will cover program models (Head Start, public schools, licensed centers), funding strategies, cost analyses, and integration with existing education funding. The bill also directs unused Convention Center Fund money to the Department of Early Education and Care specifically for expanding pre-K offerings. It does not implement universal pre-K but sets the framework for future policy based on the commission’s findings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDedicates funding for universal pre-kindergarten, expanding early education access and increasing education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 455: An Act relative to special education

This bill establishes a minimum foundation funding level for special education services in Massachusetts public schools. It directly affects school districts that serve students with special needs by requiring them to receive at least this set amount per student. The key provision modifies the existing funding formula to ensure a consistent base level of support for special education programs across all districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes minimum special education funding, ensuring consistent base support per student across districts. Directly strengthens financial commitment to special education services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 17, 2026

H 511: An Act ensuring language readiness in deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing children entering kindergarten

This bill requires Massachusetts to create tools helping deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing children (ages 0-6) develop language skills before kindergarten. It mandates the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, along with health and education departments, to develop: (1) a parent resource guide in multiple languages tracking language milestones, and (2) educator assessments for schools to monitor expressive/receptive language progress. The parent guide emphasizes using existing federal standards (like IDEA) while honoring ASL, English, or "Total Communication" approaches. Schools must use these tools alongside existing IFSP/IEP/504 plans to identify language delays and recommend services, with parents able to opt out of annual assessments in writing.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures language readiness for deaf/hard-of-hearing kindergarten entrants, directly enhancing educational access and support for a specific student group in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 442: Resolve establishing a special commission on special education funding

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 442) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to establish a special commission on special education funding. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to study special education funding, indicating intent to address and improve funding mechanisms for education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 15, 2026

H 743: An Act establishing a grant program to increase the presence of mental health counselors in schools

This bill establishes a state grant program to help Massachusetts school districts hire more mental health professionals for students. School districts can apply for funds to cover either the salary of in-house counselors or costs for outside mental health service providers. The program requires districts to use grant money specifically for mental health support staff or contracted services, with the Department of Education setting certification rules for funded professionals. The goal is to directly increase mental health resources available to students across participating school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes grant program to fund mental health counselors in schools, directly increasing educational support services for students.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates grant program to fund mental health counselors in schools, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 736: An Act to establish de-escalation training in student transportation

This bill requires all school bus operators to complete de-escalation training approved by the commissioner of education. It directly affects school bus operators and their employers, who must cover the training costs. The law mandates that employers pay for this training, which focuses on techniques to reduce conflicts during student transportation. The training is intended to improve safety and communication during bus operations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates de-escalation training for school bus operators (approved by Commissioner of Education) to improve safety during student transportation, supporting educational access and safety.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes de-escalation training for school bus operators, enhancing safety in student transportation - a key transportation safety measure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Public Transit

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 24, 2025

S 435: An Act to establish de-escalation training in student transportation

By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 435) of Pavel M. Payano relative to providing for de-escalation tactics and techniques approved by the Commissioner of Education for school bus operators. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates de-escalation training for school bus operators approved by Commissioner of Education, enhancing student safety during transportation - a critical component of K-12 educational access.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes de-escalation training for school bus operators, directly enhancing transportation safety protocols for student transportation vehicles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Public Transit

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2683: An Act eliminating predatory transportation pricing of school districts

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2683) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to eliminate predatory transportation pricing of school districts. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEliminates predatory transportation costs for school districts, reducing financial burden and freeing resources for educational purposes within K-12 infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEliminates predatory transportation pricing for school districts, protecting fair access to transportation services90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 64: An Act relative to improving pesticide protections for Massachusetts schoolchildren

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 64) of Jason M. Lewis, James K. Hawkins, Sal N. DiDomenico, James B. Eldridge and others for legislation to improve pesticide protections for Massachusetts schoolchildren. Agriculture.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves school safety by restricting pesticide use near schools, directly protecting students in educational settings as part of K-12 environment.95% confidence

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