Education

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 514: An Act to improve augmentative and alternative communication opportunities for children with disabilities

HD 627 requires Massachusetts' Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to update teacher training regulations. Specifically, it mandates that all approved teacher programs include instruction on using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools and assistive technologies. The bill also requires school districts to address the needs of nonverbal students or those with limited speech in teacher professional development plans. This directly affects teachers through new training requirements and students with disabilities who rely on AAC for communication. The policy change focuses on integrating these essential communication supports into standard educator preparation and professional growth.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly improves communication opportunities for school children with disabilities, directly enhancing educational access and support for students with disabilities in K-12 settings.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 370: An Act relative to educator pay

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 370) of Adam Gomez, Vanna Howard, Michael D. Brady, James K. Hawkins and others for legislation to require that all public school educators are paid not less than a living wage as defined by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Calculator. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates living wage for public school educators, directly supporting teacher compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates living wage for public school educators, directly increasing compensation and advancing worker pay standards per MIT calculator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Minimum Wage

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 15, 2026

H 754: An Act relative to teacher certification

By Representatives Zlotnik of Gardner and Ferguson of Holden, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 754) of Jonathan D. Zlotnik relative to teacher certification. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill addresses teacher certification standards, a core element of educator quality and program effectiveness within education policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 15, 2026

H 532: An Act relative to the teacher leadership program

By Representatives Cruz of Salem and Ramos of North Andover, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 532) of Manny Cruz for legislation to establish a teacher leadership program. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a teacher leadership program to strengthen educator roles and support educational quality within K-12 education framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 24, 2025

S 418: An Act to improve augmentative and alternative communication opportunities for children with disabilities

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 418) of Patrick M. O'Connor, John J. Marsi, Hannah Kane, Ryan C. Fattman and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve augmentative and alternative communication opportunities for children with disabilities. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly improves communication access for disabled students in education, aligning with expanding educational access and supporting students with disabilities.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 586: An Act relative to type 1 diabetes informational materials for the parents and guardians of students

H 586 requires Massachusetts public schools to provide informational materials about type 1 diabetes to parents and guardians of students diagnosed with the condition. The materials must cover recognizing symptoms and managing insulin needs during school hours. This bill directly affects families of students with type 1 diabetes and school staff responsible for health protocols.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to provide diabetes management materials, ensuring students with type 1 diabetes can safely attend and participate in education, directly supporting educational access.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires schools to provide diabetes management materials, improving student health access and safety per healthcare topic indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 871: An Act relative to maintaining equal access to public education for all children in the Commonwealth

This bill (HD 871) strengthens equal access to Massachusetts public education for English learner students and their families. It directly affects schools, students, and parents by adding "immigration or citizenship status" to anti-discrimination protections, requiring qualified bilingual interpreters with specialized training, and mandating that student evaluations and assessments be conducted in the student's native language. The bill also prohibits schools from pressuring parents to decline English learner services for scheduling reasons and ensures IEP teams include experts on language acquisition when evaluating students with both language needs and disabilities. Key mechanisms include updated assessment requirements, interpreter standards, and explicit protections against coercive practices by school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStrengthens equal access for English learners by adding anti-discrimination protections, requiring bilingual interpreters, and mandating native-language assessments - directly advancing educational access and equity.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAdds 'immigration status' to anti-discrimination protections, mandates language access for immigrant students, and prohibits school pressure on parents regarding services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Testing & Assessment Citizenship & Naturalization

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1484: An Act implementing an elementary and secondary interdisciplinary climate education curriculum in the Commonwealth

This bill requires Massachusetts public and private K-12 schools to integrate specific climate change topics into existing science, history, and other subjects. It mandates teaching about human impacts on the carbon cycle, climate effects on health/economy/agriculture, and climate-related weather patterns. The state education department must provide schools with resources, curriculum materials, and professional development support for implementing these standards. The law applies to all school districts, charter schools, and approved private schools in the Commonwealth.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates climate curriculum integration in K-12 schools with state-provided resources, enhancing educational content and teacher support per topic description.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate change education in K-12 curriculum, teaching human impacts on carbon cycle and climate effects, promoting environmental awareness and education on climate issues.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Climate Change

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2221: An Act to promote comprehensive and inclusive curriculum in schools

HD 2221 establishes a "Comprehensive and Inclusive Curriculum Trust Fund" managed by the Massachusetts education commissioner to support public schools in developing and implementing inclusive curricula. The fund provides grants for professional development, curriculum materials, and collaboration among schools, prioritizing underserved communities and districts new to inclusive teaching. It also mandates that all public schools teach accurate histories and contributions of underrepresented groups - including racial, ethnic, and cultural minorities - across subjects and history/social studies, emphasizing their experiences with discrimination and societal impacts. The bill requires annual reporting on fund usage and curriculum effectiveness to the legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes trust fund for inclusive curricula grants, mandates accurate history teaching of underrepresented groups, prioritizes underserved schools with funding and professional development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2025

HD 4316: An Act increasing the reimbursement rate for special education expenses

HD 4316 increases the state's reimbursement rate for special education expenses from 75% to 90% for school districts. This change directly affects public school districts that provide special education services, as they will receive more state funding for these costs. The bill amends existing law to adjust the reimbursement percentage, effective July 1, 2025. The policy change is a straightforward financial adjustment without altering eligibility or service requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state reimbursement rate for special education, directly boosting public school funding through higher government spending on essential services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases state reimbursement rate for special education expenses from 75% to 90%, directly boosting school district funding without altering service requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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