Education

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 361: 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 enhances educational access for disabled students via AAC tools, directly supporting inclusive education policies.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1005: An Act An Act to ensure educational rights are upheld for incarcerated youth

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1721) of Liz Miranda for legislation to ensure educational rights are upheld for incarcerated emerging adults. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly ensures educational rights for incarcerated youth, expanding access to education for a marginalized group within the education topic area.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 648: An Act to prevent discrimination in interscholastic athletic and extracurricular activities

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 353) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to prevent discrimination in interscholastic athletic and extracurricular activities. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents discrimination in school sports/extracurriculars, ensuring equal access to educational programs under the Education subject.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2025

H 35: Legislative recommendations of the Office of the State Treasurer

H 35 is not a single bill but a letter from Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg presenting 15 legislative recommendations to the General Court. The recommendations cover diverse policy areas including modernizing alcohol laws, expanding retirement savings access (e.g., 401(k) CORE Plan, Baby Bonds program), updating pension systems (State Employees, Turnpike Authority), requiring financial education in schools, and advocating for public pension fund divestment from firearms. These proposals aim to modernize state financial operations, enhance economic security for residents, and improve retirement and capital access policies. The document serves as a formal request for the Legislature to consider these specific legislative actions, not as a bill itself.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRecommendations include pension system updates and public fund divestment, promoting fiscal responsibility in state financial management and retirement programs.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly recommends requiring financial education in schools, directly enhancing curriculum standards for K-12 students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2813: An Act to establish comprehensive rights and career advancement for contingent faculty in public higher education

This bill establishes minimum standards for contingent faculty (part-time instructors paid per course without tenure) at Massachusetts public colleges and universities. It mandates equal pay to full-time faculty for equivalent work, 2-year contracts after four semesters, 45-day course assignment notices, and late-cancellation pay. The bill also creates a three-tier career advancement system with clear paths to higher pay and security based on teaching experience, plus requirements for departmental inclusion and professional development funding. It specifically eliminates pay disparities between day and continuing education divisions within two years.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates equal pay, job security, and career advancement for contingent faculty, strengthening educator support and working conditions in higher education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates equal pay, 2-year contracts, advance notice, and career advancement for contingent faculty - directly strengthening employment standards and workers' rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 15, 2025

H 30: An Act clarifying creditable service buyback for publicly funded non-public schools

So much of the recommendations of the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (House, No. 26) as relates to clarifying creditable service buyback for publicly funded non-public schools

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies teacher retirement buyback for non-public school educators, supporting teacher benefits and retention within publicly funded schools.85% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House May 27, 2025

HD 4407: An Act to regulate school enrollment

By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Colleen M. Garry for legislation to establish an opt-out admissions lottery process for charter schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes opt-out lottery for charter school admissions, promoting equitable enrollment access within K-12 education policy85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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signed · Massachusetts · Senate May 29, 2025

S 2521: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill (S 2521) allocates specific funding for child care programs under the Executive Office of Education for fiscal year 2025. It provides $95,554,342 for DCF and DTA-related child care and $94,015,214 for income-eligible child care, supplementing existing appropriations. The funds are intended to support low-income families and early education services through established state agencies. The bill was enacted as an emergency measure on May 29, 2025, with no new policy requirements beyond the specified funding amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $189M for child care programs supporting low-income families, supplementing existing appropriations to fund essential public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $189M for income-eligible child care under Education Office, directly supporting early education access for low-income families.95% confidence

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 10, 2025

H 708: An Act requiring a mental health wellness examination for all school children

By Representative Sousa of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 708) of Priscila S. Sousa relative to requiring a mental health wellness examination for all school children. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health wellness exams for school children, enhancing student support services within education policy.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health wellness exams for school children, advancing access to mental health services within healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 29, 2025

S 422: An Act relating to seizure disorders in schools

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 422) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to relate to seizure disorders in schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAddresses student health/safety in schools (seizure disorders), enhancing educational environment and accessibility per Education topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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