Education

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 355: An Act reducing costs for teachers and school personnel

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 355) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to require the commonwealth to cover costs associated with fingerprint-based criminal background checks of teachers and school personnel. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires state to cover teacher background check costs, reducing financial burden on educators per bill summary.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 15, 2026

H 570: An Act relative to testing requirements for veterans who wish to become educators

By Representative Finn of West Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 570) of Michael J. Finn relative to testing requirements for veterans who wish to become educators. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill modifies testing requirements to enable veterans to enter teaching careers, directly supporting educator workforce development and access in education.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReduces testing barriers for veterans entering education, directly supporting veteran employment in teaching careers.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Veteran Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 4720: An Act relative to the Athol-Royalston Regional School District Financial Stability Fund

By Representative Whipps of Athol and Senator Comerford, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Susannah M. Whipps relative to the Athol-Royalston Regional School District Financial Stability Fund. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates a financial stability fund for a school district, directly advancing educational funding and operational stability per bill title and summary.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 520: An Act relative to the training, assessment, and assignment of qualified school interpreters in educational settings

By Representative Cabral of New Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 520) of Antonio F. D. Cabral and others relative to the training, assessment, and assignment of qualified school interpreters in educational settings. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates training/assessment of school interpreters to ensure language access for students, enhancing educational equity and access in K-12 settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 61: An Act relative to civic test requirements for graduation

This bill requires all public high schools to administer a civics test identical to the U.S. citizenship civics test before graduation. Students must score at least 60% (60 correct answers out of 100) to graduate or earn a general equivalency diploma, starting in the 2021-2022 school year, with retakes allowed until passing. Special education students are exempt from this requirement. The state education department must establish rules to monitor schools' compliance with this new graduation standard.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires civics test for graduation, strengthening curriculum standards and civic education as part of K-12 policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Testing & Assessment

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 69: An Act relative to alert systems in public schools

HD 69 requires Massachusetts public schools to install silent panic alarms that immediately alert law enforcement during life-threatening emergencies - like active shooters or intruders - without making noise inside the building. The alarms must link directly to local police and activate an emergency light upon use. Schools must have at least one such device per building, subject to funding, and the law shields public employers from liability for injuries related to implementing this requirement. This bill directly affects public schools and law enforcement response protocols.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires silent panic alarms in schools for emergency safety, improving school infrastructure as a support indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 91: An Act concerning equitable state summative assessments of students

HD 91 amends Massachusetts state education law to require annual computer-adaptive assessments for K-12 students in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies, effective July 2021. The bill mandates assessments with flexible scoring (high ceiling/low floor) to identify specific mastered and unmastered learning standards for each student annually. It also requires these assessments to be criterion-referenced and flexible enough to measure which exact academic standards students meet, effective July 2023. The law directly affects all public school students and educators in Massachusetts by changing how student progress is measured and reported.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates criterion-referenced assessments to identify student mastery of standards, enhancing educational accountability and targeted learning support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 323: An Act establishing a grant program for school connectivity

This bill creates a state grant program to improve cellular connectivity in Massachusetts public schools. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will distribute grants to eligible school districts that apply, with funding subject to state budget approval. The program requires the department to conduct a two-year study evaluating grant effectiveness and making recommendations for future funding distribution. The bill directly affects school districts seeking to upgrade their wireless infrastructure, with no changes to existing student or staff responsibilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state grant program requiring budget allocation for school connectivity, increasing public service funding subject to state budget approval.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state grants to improve school connectivity infrastructure, directly funding K-12 technology needs through a dedicated program.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds school wireless connectivity upgrades to expand internet access in public schools, directly advancing digital infrastructure and equity per bill's grant program and study requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 160: An Act relative to school safety issues

This bill creates a new "school safety resource officer" position within Massachusetts' Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The officer will directly assist schools by providing safety information and evaluating their safety plans. The key mechanism is designating a specific department staff member to serve this role, making support more centralized. This applies to all public schools in Massachusetts requiring safety plan reviews. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated school safety role to protect students and evaluate safety plans, enhancing school environment and operational security within education system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 474: An Act to reduce graduate student loan debt

HD 474 amends a tax code provision to include "graduate education debt" within the definition of eligible student debt for debt reduction purposes. It directly affects graduate students who took out state, federal, or commercial loans solely for tuition and related expenses at non-profit institutions offering graduate or professional degrees. The bill adds a specific definition clarifying that "graduate education debt" covers loans secured through approved state, federal, or commercial programs for graduate study. This change allows these loans to qualify under existing tax provisions for debt reduction, expanding eligibility beyond undergraduate loans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAmends tax code to include graduate education debt for debt reduction, providing tax relief for graduate students through expanded eligibility.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReduces graduate student debt for higher education, improving access and financial burden for students pursuing graduate degrees at non-profit institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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