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.
By Representative Day of Stoneham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 540) of Michael S. Day, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and James B. Eldridge relative to charter school caps. Education.
This bill changes Massachusetts' in-state tuition eligibility rules for public colleges. It states that non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents (under federal immigration law) are no longer eligible for in-state tuition rates. The law defines "resident of the commonwealth" as requiring U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status, as specified in federal law. It also includes a specific exception for students attending the Massachusetts Maritime Academy who reside in states designated as part of the regional maritime academy region. The change directly affects undocumented immigrants and non-permanent residents seeking in-state tuition at public higher education institutions.
HD 150 requires charter schools seeking to enroll students from specific Massachusetts towns or school districts to first obtain "local approval" from those communities. This approval can be granted by a local school committee vote, a town meeting vote, or a city council vote (in cities without elected school committees). The bill mandates that only charter school applications with this local approval can receive funding from local tax dollars (Chapter 70 funds); applications lacking it will not be funded through local sources, though they may still access state funding. This requirement applies only to new charter school applications submitted after the law takes effect.
HD 371 restricts state funding for higher education capital projects by requiring them to meet specific geographic or timing criteria. Projects must either have started construction before July 1, 2021; be located in or adjacent to a "gateway municipality" (as defined by state law); or be within a gateway municipality, within 2000 feet of city hall, and within 500 feet of public transportation upon completion. This bill directly affects institutions seeking state capital investment funds for new construction or major renovations. The law ensures funds support projects aligned with state-defined gateway city development goals, not all higher education capital projects.
By Representative DeCoste of Norwell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 552) of David F. DeCoste that local public schools and school committees be authorized to reject any and all guidance and directives from Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Education.
By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 414) of Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to local approval for charter schools. Education.
HD 827 modifies charter school funding rules for school districts that move out of the lowest 10% for per-pupil spending. It sets a 9% spending cap for these districts unless they previously exceeded 9%, in which case the cap remains at their prior spending level. The bill also prohibits new charter seats from districts that left the lowest 10% with spending above 9%, requires the state to calculate and cover tuition owed for affected students, and adds new requirements for charter approvals and renewals based on enrollment and financial impact. These changes primarily affect school districts sending students to charter schools and the state education department managing charter school oversight.
This bill (HD 3660) adds a new rule to Massachusetts law regarding charter school expansions. If the state education department rejects a charter school's request to expand into additional school districts, the school must wait three years before reapplying for that specific type of expansion. The rule directly affects charter schools whose expansion proposals are denied by the department. This provision creates a mandatory waiting period, changing the process for schools seeking to grow their geographic reach within the state's charter school system.
This bill sets a 9% cap on the total amount a Massachusetts public school district can pay in charter school tuition relative to its net school spending. It allows districts exceeding this cap to maintain current funding for existing students but prohibits new charter seats until compliance is achieved. The bill also adds transparency requirements, mandating public notice and comment periods for charter school renewals and expansions, along with criteria for evaluating financial and enrollment impacts. These changes apply directly to school districts sending students to charter schools and the charter schools themselves, revising the state’s funding formula and oversight processes.
