Education

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 25, 2026

H 516: An Act establishing employee screening requirements in schools to prevent child sexual abuse

By Representative Blais of Deerfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 516) of Natalie M. Blais for legislation to establish employee screening requirements in schools to prevent child sexual abuse. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes mandatory employee screening in schools to prevent child abuse, directly protecting student safety within educational settings.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3112: An Act relative to the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of special education in the Commonwealth

HD 3112 establishes a special commission to study Massachusetts' special education funding system (Chapter 71B) and recommend changes to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. The bill directly affects school districts and students with disabilities by requiring the commission to evaluate funding equity, predictability, and adequacy for meeting student needs. Key mechanisms include mandating 90% circuit breaker reimbursement for special education transportation and adjusting the approved costs threshold from $45,793 to $37,120 per student. The commission must also address equitable funding based on student disability needs and district resources, with recommendations due by June 2027. These changes aim to improve funding stability and support for schools serving students with disabilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates commission to study special education funding for fiscal sustainability, ensuring adequate resource allocation for essential programs under Chapter 71B.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to study special education funding sustainability, mandates 90% transportation reimbursement, and evaluates equity/adequacy to support students with disabilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 7, 2025

H 55: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

H 55 is a funding bill that allocates supplemental appropriations for Massachusetts' fiscal year 2025. It provides specific amounts to support transportation and education programs, including $67 million for MBTA low-income fare relief, $400 million for MBTA workforce/safety, and $32.5 million for high school career pathway initiatives. The bill also funds $75 million for career technical education facility upgrades, $100 million for early education workforce improvements, and $50 million to expand preschool access in high-need districts. All funds are supplemental to existing budgets and must be used for designated purposes with reporting requirements for oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $67M+ for MBTA fare relief, education, and workforce programs, explicitly increasing state spending on public services and fiscal management for FY2025.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $32.5M for high school career pathways, $75M for career technical education facilities, and $100M for early education workforce improvements, directly funding education programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates $400M for MBTA workforce/safety and $100M for early education workforce improvements, directly funding labor-related programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $400M for MBTA workforce/safety and $67M for low-income fare relief, directly funding public transit operations and accessibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Career & Technical Education Early Childhood

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 446: An Act relative to physical and social recess in schools

By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 446) of Michael F. Rush for legislation relative to physical and social recess in schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates physical/social recess in schools, enhancing student well-being and school environment as part of educational programming.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 17, 2026

H 1460: An Act relative to college tuition and admissions

This bill requires Massachusetts public colleges and universities to prioritize two specific groups of students in admissions, scholarships, and grants. It directs institutions to give priority to students whose biological parents are deceased or had parental rights terminated due to abuse/neglect, and to students legally adopted by blood relatives (within third-degree family relations) or assigned a permanent court-appointed guardian. The policy applies to all public higher education institutions in Massachusetts as defined by law. This is a concrete change to admission criteria, not a funding measure or procedural rule.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill modifies financial aid criteria for public higher education, prioritizing residents to enhance access to college funding.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 2, 2025

H 509: An Act relative to the safety of schools, residences, and public assemblies

This bill establishes a dedicated "School Carbon Monoxide Safety Trust Fund" to provide grants for public school districts in Massachusetts to install carbon monoxide detection systems. It requires schools with fossil fuel-burning equipment (like furnaces) or enclosed parking to install these detectors, with specific installation plans needed for grant approval. The fund, initially seeded with $7.5 million from the General Fund by 2020, will cover costs for system installation and maintenance. School districts must submit detailed plans for review, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will report annually on fund usage and grant recipients. The policy applies specifically to public K-12 schools meeting the equipment or parking criteria.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a school carbon monoxide safety trust fund administered by education officials, directly funding school infrastructure safety under education jurisdiction.95% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SD 2876: An Act to reimburse school districts of unforeseen busing costs

By Mr. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to reimburse school districts of unforeseen busing costs. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationReimburses school districts for unforeseen busing costs, providing direct financial support to maintain educational operations and avoid budget strain.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding School Transportation

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 2, 2025

H 610: An Act relative to foundation budget review commission permanence

HD 1428 permanently establishes a Foundation Budget Review Commission to evaluate Massachusetts' school funding formula every five years. The commission, composed of education leaders, legislative leaders, and school district representatives, will review how foundation budgets are calculated, recommend changes to better align with educational goals and student assessment needs (like MCAS), and suggest efficient resource allocation. It must hold at least four public hearings statewide before issuing recommendations, with the first report due by November 1, 2025. This bill directly affects public school funding decisions across Massachusetts by creating a permanent process for reviewing and updating the state's school finance system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPermanently establishing Foundation Budget Review Commission ensures ongoing review of school funding mechanisms, supporting equitable education budgeting and stability.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 1, 2025

H 1424: An Act relative to higher education capital investment in gateway cities

HD 371 restricts state funding for higher education capital projects by requiring them to meet specific geographic or timing criteria. Projects must either have started construction before July 1, 2021; be located in or adjacent to a "gateway municipality" (as defined by state law); or be within a gateway municipality, within 2000 feet of city hall, and within 500 feet of public transportation upon completion. This bill directly affects institutions seeking state capital investment funds for new construction or major renovations. The law ensures funds support projects aligned with state-defined gateway city development goals, not all higher education capital projects.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates capital investments for higher education infrastructure in gateway cities, directly funding institutional development per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 459: An Act to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 459) of John C. Velis for legislation to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands dual enrollment access for high school students in Gateway Cities, directly advancing educational access and opportunity per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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