Education

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 841: An Act establishing the Massachusetts farm to school program

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 311) of Joanne M. Comerford, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., Adam Gomez, Jacob R. Oliveira and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish farm to school grants to promote healthy eating and strengthen the agricultural economy. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes farm-to-school grants promoting healthy eating in schools, enhancing student nutrition programs aligned with education policy.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1482: An Act to protect children's learning, focus, and emotional health during school hours

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 461) of John C. Velis, Carmine Lawrence Gentile, James C. Arena-DeRosa, Paul R. Feeney and other members of the General Court for legislation to prohibit access to personal electronic devices and social media in public schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits devices/social media to protect learning focus, aligning with educational environment enhancement per bill's purpose90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits personal electronic devices and social media access in public schools, directly restricting technology use during learning hours.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1827: An Act enhancing the educational outcomes of expectant and parenting students

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 344) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to enhance the educational outcomes of expectant and parenting students. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly aims to 'enhance educational outcomes' for expectant and parenting students, directly advancing educational access and support for a vulnerable group.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3806: An Act relative to increasing 529 deductions

This bill increases tax deductions for contributions to 529 college savings plans. It raises the annual deduction limit from $1,000 to $5,000 for single filers and from $2,000 to $10,000 for married couples filing jointly. The change directly affects Massachusetts taxpayers who use 529 plans to save for education expenses, allowing them to reduce their taxable income by larger amounts. The policy change simplifies the tax benefit by adjusting these specific dollar limits in the state tax code.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax deductions for 529 plans, providing direct tax relief to Massachusetts taxpayers by raising deduction limits and reducing taxable income.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tax deductions for 529 college savings plans, enhancing financial access to higher education through expanded tax benefits for families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1431: An Act relative to emergency stock epinephrine in schools

This bill requires all Massachusetts schools to maintain a stock supply of non-patient-specific epinephrine auto-injectors for immediate use during severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). It mandates schools to store the medication in accessible locations, determine appropriate quantities based on student population, train authorized staff, and regularly check expiration dates. The law also provides legal immunity for school staff who administer epinephrine in good faith during emergencies, protecting them and their school districts from civil liability. Additionally, the health and education departments must seek federal funding or free epinephrine from pharmaceutical companies to support implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to maintain emergency epinephrine stock for student safety, directly protecting students from anaphylaxis during school hours, enhancing school safety protocols within educational settings.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates schools to maintain emergency epinephrine stock for anaphylaxis, improving immediate access to life-saving healthcare services and protecting student health during allergic reactions.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1570: An Act relative to bilingual educators and dual language certification incentives

By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2067) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation to establish a separate fund to be known as the bilingual education trust fund in support of bilingual educators and dual language certification incentives. Revenue.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes bilingual education trust fund to incentivize dual language certification for educators, directly funding and supporting teacher development in language programs.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1251: An Act establishing the Massachusetts student relief and retention tax credit

By Mr. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2025) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to establish the Massachusetts student relief and retention tax credit. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes tax credit for student relief, providing direct tax reduction for eligible individuals, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishing a student relief and retention tax credit directly enhances educational access by reducing financial barriers for students, aligning with support indicators for funding and accessibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1427: An Act relative to higher education financial literacy counseling

This bill requires public higher education institutions in Massachusetts to provide financial literacy counseling to all accepted students before they arrive on campus. The counseling must cover student loans and all education expenses, including tuition, housing, books, and transportation, along with available financial aid options like grants and work-study. Institutions must also offer a standardized college financing plan developed by federal agencies (CFPB and U.S. Department of Education), which details estimated costs and funding sources. The plan can be provided electronically in printable format, and the Board of Higher Education is authorized to create rules for implementation. This directly affects public colleges and their incoming students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy counseling on loans/expenses for higher ed students, enhancing informed financial decisions and reducing debt risks per bill requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1452: An Act to remodel public school athletics through social-emotional learning

HD 1452 requires Massachusetts' Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create and publish guidelines for integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into middle and high school athletic programs by June 30, 2024. The guidelines, updated biennially, would cover teaching students and coaches to build safe team cultures, address bias and hate, develop leadership, manage emotions, resolve conflicts, and make ethical decisions. Public school districts would have the option to adopt these guidelines if they choose to incorporate SEL into their athletic programs. The bill defines SEL as teaching skills for managing emotions, building relationships, making responsible choices, and handling social challenges. This directly affects public school athletic programs in Massachusetts middle and high schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates SEL integration into school athletics, enhancing student development and curriculum without restrictions or funding cuts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 4071: An Act to promote the inclusion of American Sign Language in the Commonwealth’s public schools, AKA The American Sign Language Inclusion Act

By Representative Doherty of Taunton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 558) of Carol A. Doherty and others relative to courses in American Sign Language. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly promotes ASL courses in public schools, expanding curriculum options and educational access for deaf/hard-of-hearing students within K-12 education.90% confidence

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