Education

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 542: An Act to ensure the health and safety of the commonwealth’s students and educators

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 542) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to ensure the health and safety of the commonwealth’s students and educators. Emergency Preparedness and Management.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures health and safety of students and educators, directly aligning with protective support indicators for educational environment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 30, 2025

H 4198: An Act to promote fairness between traditional public schools and regional vocational schools

By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Colleen M. Garry for legislation to establish parity in funding for regional vocational school districts and traditional public school districts. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks funding parity between vocational and traditional public schools, directly advancing equitable school funding as a core education policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 30, 2025

H 676: An Act studying the financing of chapter 74 vocational-technical and agricultural school capital improvements

By Representatives Ramos of North Andover and Shand of Newburyport, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 676) of Adrianne Pusateri Ramos and Dawne Shand that the Executive Office of Education study the financing of capital improvements in facilities providing primarily vocational-technical education or agricultural education. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill studies financing for vocational school capital improvements, directly advancing infrastructure funding for educational facilities.92% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1900: An Act relative to non-public school service

By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1900) of Michael F. Rush and John J. Cronin for legislation relative to creditable service for retirement purposes for non-public school service. Public Service.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides retirement credit for non-public school teachers, supporting educator benefits within education policy.85% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 387: An Act relative to safer schools

This bill modifies Massachusetts school safety policies by restricting school resource officers (SROs) to only address serious criminal conduct (like violence or property damage), prohibiting them from handling routine discipline or non-violent disruptions. It requires school districts to annually report detailed data on student interactions with SROs (including arrests and referrals) and budgets for mental health support, with public disclosure of this information. Additionally, the bill creates grants for schools to adopt "holistic school health and safety practices" that avoid law enforcement involvement, such as restorative justice programs and relationship-building initiatives. These changes directly affect all public school districts, charter schools, and regional districts in Massachusetts, aiming to shift safety approaches away from punitive measures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts SROs to serious crimes only, mandates transparency in school interactions, and reduces non-violent arrests, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRestricts SROs to serious crimes and mandates mental health budgets/data reporting, enhancing school safety and student well-being in K-12 education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 15, 2025

H 259: An Act relative to educational support for children in foster care

By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 259) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf and Russell E. Holmes relative to educational support for children in foster care. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides educational support for foster care children, directly advancing access and support for a vulnerable student group.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 4544: An Act relative to Hispanic-serving institutions

By Representative Kushmerek of Fitchburg and Senator Cronin, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael P. Kushmerek relative to Hispanic-serving institutions in higher education. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill focuses on Hispanic-serving institutions in higher education, aligning with enhancing educational access and opportunities for underrepresented student populations.90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 356: An Act ensuring student representation, Aidan's Law

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 356) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to ensure ensuring student representation, Aidan's Law. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures student representation in education, promoting student voice and engagement in school decisions, aligning with supportive educational practices like enhanced access and participation.90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 30, 2025

H 54: 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 state colleges, community colleges, and the University of Massachusetts system by funding specific projects like deferred maintenance, modernization, decarbonization efforts, laboratory upgrades, and campus master planning. Key provisions include $1.25 billion for campus facility repairs and modernization at state/community colleges, $80 million for decarbonization projects, $120 million for labs and student support facilities, and $30 million for planning. The funds must align with approved campus master plans and be tracked through the state's capital asset management system, with no new policies created - only financial support for existing infrastructure needs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $3.05B for higher-ed infrastructure upgrades, including facility repairs and modernization at public colleges/universities, directly funding educational infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 6, 2025

S 938: 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 academic institutions, promoting transparency and integrity in higher education, aligning with protective measures for educational institutions.80% confidence

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