Education

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1210: An Act relative to special education reimbursement programs

HD 1210 increases Massachusetts' reimbursement rate for school districts' special education costs from 75% to 90%. This directly affects public school districts that provide special education services by requiring the state to cover a larger share of eligible expenses. The bill amends Chapter 71B of Massachusetts General Laws to change the reimbursement percentage in the relevant section. This policy change would increase state funding for school districts' special education programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases state funding for special education by raising reimbursement rate from 75% to 90%, directly advancing school district resources for K-12 special education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3008: An Act to modernize the endowment match program for community colleges

This bill modernizes how community colleges receive state matching funds for donations. It allows community colleges to get matching funds for any donations to their foundations - whether the money is used for endowments or capital projects like building repairs. The bill also clarifies that community colleges are excluded from provisions meant for private colleges by removing the word "Private" from a related section. These changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModernizes endowment matching to allow capital project funding (e.g., building repairs) for community colleges, enhancing infrastructure support and access to state funds for higher education institutions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1870: An Act to establish a master of library science assistance program

This bill establishes a tuition grant program for public librarians in Massachusetts. It provides full tuition coverage at Massachusetts colleges or participating New England schools for librarians pursuing a Master of Library Science degree. The Board of Higher Education will set eligibility rules based on academic and professional criteria, then award grants to qualifying librarians from each public library. The program directly affects current public library staff seeking advanced library science education within the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides full tuition grants for public librarians pursuing MLIS degrees, enhancing library services and educational access through professional development funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4277: An Act to build resilient infrastructure to generate higher-ed transformation

This bill allocates $3.05 billion in state funds for capital improvements at Massachusetts public higher education institutions. It directly affects community colleges, the University of Massachusetts system, and other public colleges by funding deferred maintenance, modernization, decarbonization projects, laboratory upgrades, and facility renovations. Key provisions include $1.25 billion for campus infrastructure at community colleges, $1.25 billion for UMass campuses, $80 million for energy efficiency projects, $120 million for student support facilities, and $30 million for campus planning. All projects must align with approved campus master plans and be tracked through the state's capital asset management system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $3.05B for infrastructure upgrades at public higher ed institutions, including community colleges and UMass, enhancing facilities and decarbonization projects.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill allocates $80M for energy projects and explicitly funds decarbonization, lab upgrades, and facility renovations at public colleges, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Energy Efficiency

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1263: An Act to require school attendance up to age 18 or until graduation

HD 1263 requires all students in Massachusetts to attend school until age 18 or until they graduate high school, earn a high school equivalency diploma, or complete the twelfth grade - whichever comes first. It explicitly prohibits criminal penalties for students over 16 who miss school before meeting this requirement. The bill also establishes a High School Graduation Commission to study barriers to graduation and recommend solutions, including identifying at-risk students and improving support services. The commission must report its findings within six months of the law's effective date, focusing on factors like attendance, academic gaps, and emotional needs. This law takes effect for the next school year after passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits criminal penalties for school absences, reducing unnecessary criminalization and aligning with reform goals to avoid youth entering justice system.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates extended school attendance until 18/graduation, prohibits criminal penalties for over-16s missing school, and creates a commission to study graduation barriers and improve support for at-risk students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 789: An Act relative to the mental health of children in schools

This bill (SD 789) requires schools to treat absences due to mental health symptoms the same as absences due to physical health symptoms. It mandates that schools accept documentation from licensed mental health professionals for mental health absences in the same way they accept documentation for physical health absences. Students returning after a mental health-related absence must be offered a meeting with a school counselor, though they cannot be required to attend. The law directly affects students, families, and school staff by standardizing absence policies for mental and physical health.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires equal treatment of mental health absences and mandates counseling access, enhancing student well-being and educational access within school policies.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires equal treatment of mental health absences and mandates counseling access, directly supporting mental health services in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 86: An Act assisting low-income students success through work-study

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Community College Career Pathways Trust Fund to support low-income students, particularly those receiving Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), in earning certificates or associate degrees. It creates education opportunity coordinators at every community college to help students access career planning, financial aid, childcare, and work-study programs. The fund provides state work-study jobs (capped at 15 hours/week) at colleges, career-related off-campus sites, or community service roles, prioritizing TAFDC recipients. Annual reports will track student enrollment, success rates, and post-graduation employment to evaluate the program’s effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state trust fund for low-income student support, directly increasing public education funding and fiscal investment in workforce development programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes trust fund for low-income students' higher education access via work-study, financial aid coordination, and childcare support at community colleges.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates state work-study jobs (capped 15 hrs/week) for low-income students, providing employment access and support services to advance educational and workforce opportunities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Early Childhood Student Financial Aid

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1225: An Act to require disclosure of conflicts of interests in academic institutions

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 938) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to require disclosure of conflicts of interests in academic institutions. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires conflict disclosure in higher education institutions to protect academic integrity, aligning with educational governance support.80% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2477: An Act to modernize financial aid access

By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 411) of Paul W. Mark and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish the MassGrant program to provide financial assistance to eligible residents enrolled in higher education. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes MassGrant program to provide financial aid for higher education, directly funding access to post-secondary education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1664: An Act to establish comprehensive rights and career advancement for contingent faculty in public higher education

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 930) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish compensation and employment standards for contingent faculty in public higher education. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes compensation/employment standards for contingent faculty in public higher education, directly advancing educator rights and career advancement within the education sector.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes compensation and employment standards for contingent faculty, advancing workers' rights in higher education through formalized career advancement pathways.95% confidence

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