Education (Student Health)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3322: An Act relative to healthy school lunches

This bill requires Massachusetts public school food service providers to ensure at least 50% of weekly lunch entrées are "fiber-rich" (made with whole grains, vegetables, fruits, or legumes) and limits ultra-processed foods to no more than 20% of weekly entrées. It defines "ultra-processed" as foods containing industrial additives like high-fructose corn syrup or artificial preservatives. Food service companies must publicly report monthly nutrition data to verify compliance, with a three-year phase-in period ending by 2033-2034. The law directly affects food service management companies contracted with schools, aiming to improve student nutrition within federally reimbursable meal programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires healthier school meals (50% fiber-rich entrées), promoting student health and well-being in K-12 settings, aligning with educational access and student program enhancement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2121: An Act ensuring access to mental health supports in K-12 schools

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 441) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to ensuring access to mental health supports in K-12 schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly ensures mental health supports in K-12 schools, advancing student access to educational services and support programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly ensures mental health supports in K-12 schools, directly expanding access to mental health services under healthcare topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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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 · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 434: An Act relative to the enforcement of anti-bullying policies in our schools

By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 434) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation to establish an anti-bullying officer pilot program to assist schools experiencing significant bullying incidents. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes anti-bullying officer pilot program to strengthen school safety policies, directly supporting student well-being in K-12 education environment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 10, 2025

H 557: An Act expanding reasons for excused absences from school to include mental or behavioral health

By Representative Doherty of Taunton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 557) of Carol A. Doherty and James K. Hawkins relative to excused absences from school. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands excused absences for mental health, supporting student well-being and educational access within K-12 policies.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands school absences for mental health, enabling student access to care without academic penalty, directly supporting mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 10, 2025

H 716: An Act relative to improving mental health in schools

By Representative Tarsky of Needham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 716) of Joshua Tarsky for legislation to authorize schools to employ school adjustment counselors. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes school counselors for mental health support, directly enhancing student well-being and educational access within K-12 systems95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes school adjustment counselors to improve mental health access, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 10, 2025

H 700: An Act to provide universal school meals to commonwealth virtual schools

By Representative Sena of Acton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 700) of Danillo A. Sena for legislation to provide universal school meals to commonwealth virtual schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides universal meals for virtual school students, enhancing educational access and student well-being. Directly advances support for K-12 virtual education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 2, 2025

H 4060: An Act establishing a commission regarding school disciplinary policies and bullying

By Representative Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4060) of Adam J. Scanlon relative to recess at schools and for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to student discipline and bullying. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to investigate school discipline and bullying, directly addressing education policy to improve school environment and safety.80% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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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

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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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