Education

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1568: An Act creating the Home Works Program

This bill creates the Home Works Program to provide funding for out-of-school time and summer programs for children aged 5-14 living in households receiving Emergency Assistance (a state aid program for low-income families). The program allocates "slots" covering program costs (at least 75% of local market value) and transportation, distributed based on areas with the highest number of Emergency Assistance children and program capacity. Eligible programs must meet transportation requirements or partner with Emergency Assistance residences for on-site services, and all staff must pass background checks including National Sexual Offender Registry checks. Funding is new and separate from existing Emergency Assistance resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds out-of-school programs for low-income K-12 students, enhancing educational access and support through direct funding and transportation for targeted age groups.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1255: An Act to close the achievement gap by addressing disparities in children's vision

This bill establishes a confidential statewide registry for children's vision screenings and eye health care (Section 38A). It requires licensed healthcare providers to report screening results to the registry, which will track vision data to identify disparities. The bill also creates a 13-member advisory council (including health officials, medical professionals, and parent representatives) to advise the state on improving children's eye health programs and reporting annually to legislative committees (Section 38). The registry protects privacy by limiting data access to authorized healthcare providers, school nurses, and state agencies involved in children's health services, with strict confidentiality rules preventing public disclosure or use in legal proceedings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAddresses vision disparities affecting student learning, aiming to close achievement gaps through data tracking and advisory council to improve educational access and outcomes.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates statewide vision screening registry and advisory council to address health disparities, improving access to children's eye care services and strengthening public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1399: An Act relative to school and public threats

This bill amends Massachusetts criminal law (Chapter 269, Section 14) to expand the definition of criminal threats. It adds two specific provisions: (1) threatening to "behead persons at a place or location," and (2) knowingly communicating a false report of an active shooting at a school. The law now explicitly criminalizes making false reports about school shootings and threats involving severe violence like beheading. This directly affects individuals who make such false threats or reports in public or school settings. The change clarifies and broadens existing criminal threat statutes to address specific safety concerns.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of false school threats and beheading threats, increasing penalties under criminal law per indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCriminalizes false school shooting reports and severe threats, enhancing school safety and protecting educational environments.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2541: An Act relative to the protection of medical exemptions for immunizations for school attendance

By Representative Soter of Bellingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2541) of Michael J. Soter and Joseph D. McKenna relative to the protection of medical exemptions for immunizations for school attendance. Public Health.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects medical exemptions for school immunizations, enabling student attendance and supporting educational access for those with health conditions.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects medical exemptions for school immunizations, safeguarding healthcare access for students with medical conditions and upholding patient rights in public health policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3659: An Act authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey Lampson Brook Farm in Belchertown to the Nipmuc People and the Historic Jepson Farmstead Parcel to the New England Small Farm Institute

HD 3659 authorizes the state to transfer ownership of five parcels at Lampson Brook Farm in Belchertown to two organizations: the New England Small Farm Institute (NESFI) for the historic Jepson farmstead parcel (8.4 acres) and the Nipmuc Indian Development Corporation (NIDC) for the remaining four parcels totaling approximately 430 acres. NESFI will manage the Jepson farmstead for historic preservation and uses like offices and classrooms, while NIDC must honor existing farming leases on the community farm parcel until they expire and offer future leases of at least five years. The transfer occurs without cost to the grantees, with NIDC also receiving funds to convert the enterprise zone parcel into farm worker housing. The state retains control of the former Belchertown State School landfill site.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes land transfer for NESFI to use Jepson farmstead for classrooms, enabling educational infrastructure and historic preservation uses.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 344: An Act relative to the accessibility and affordability of trade school education

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2051) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to the accessibility and affordability of trade school education. Revenue.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly targets improving accessibility and affordability of trade school education, directly advancing educational access and funding for vocational training.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1015: An Act relative to autism education reform

This bill requires Massachusetts law enforcement and correction officers to complete new training on interacting with people on the autism spectrum, focusing on de-escalation and sensory processing. It establishes mandatory autism-specific endorsements for special education teachers and paraprofessionals, requiring two years of coursework and field experience. Schools must place students with autism in specialized programs (when appropriate) and ensure all staff in those classrooms hold the autism endorsement, while also mandating video cameras in those classrooms for educational records. The bill directly affects school staff, students with autism, and law enforcement agencies by creating new credentialing standards and classroom protocols.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates autism training for law enforcement/corrections on de-escalation, improving interactions and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates autism-specific teacher endorsements and specialized programs for students with autism, enhancing specialized educational support and teacher qualifications.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1468: An Act relative to credible service for school nurses

This bill (HD 1468) allows school nurses employed in Department of Education-approved schools to count prior nursing work experience toward their retirement credit if they are already in a teacher's, municipal, or state retirement system. To qualify, nurses must pay 10% of their annual salary for each year of service plus interest (paid in a lump sum or installments), after completing 10 years in the retirement system, with a maximum of three years of creditable service allowed. Nurses must apply within 90 days of being notified of eligibility by the retirement board.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows school nurses to count prior experience for retirement benefits, supporting educator compensation and retention in K-12 schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 687: An Act relative to graduate student loan deductions

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1981) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to graduate student loan deductions. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax deductions for graduate student loans, providing tax relief to students, aligning with fiscal support indicators under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tax deductions for graduate student loans, improving affordability and expanding higher education access for graduate students.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 488: An Act providing for reserve funds for school districts

By Mr. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1451) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to provide for reserve funds for school districts. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides reserve funds for school districts, enhancing financial stability and support for educational operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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