Education (School Transportation)

introduced · Massachusetts · House May 28, 2026

HD 6108: A communication from the Office of the Inspector General (see item 1596-2516 of Section 7 of Chapter 2A of the Acts of 2025) submitting a Special Education Transportation Study

House Document 6108 is a formal submission from the Office of the Inspector General that presents the findings of a study on special education transportation costs in Massachusetts. The document analyzes various factors influencing these expenses, such as driver shortages, contract complexity, and regionalization efforts, while also listing specific recommendations for improvement. This report is intended to inform policymakers and school districts about the current state of transportation logistics and funding challenges without proposing new legislation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill analyzes special education transportation costs and offers recommendations to improve efficiency and access, directly supporting educational services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

HD 5998: An Act concerning school bus safety (Lens' Law)

This bill, known as Lens' Law, creates a state grant program to help school districts install safety sensors on school buses that detect objects in the front and rear of the vehicle. The legislation requires all school buses to be equipped with these sensors and directs the transportation division to provide funding to cover the cost of installing the sensors or offsetting contractor fees for related safety upgrades. The bill also mandates that regulations for the sensor system be developed within 180 days and that the program's effectiveness be reported annually to state officials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates grant program to fund safety sensors on school buses, improving school infrastructure and student safety85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates grant program to fund safety sensors on school buses, enhancing transportation safety and infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Public Transit

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SD 3482: An Act updating Massachusetts student transportation

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to update Massachusetts student transportation. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates student transportation, a critical component for K-12 educational access, directly supporting the topic's focus on access and infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill updates Massachusetts student transportation system, implying improvements to safety or infrastructure within transportation services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 25, 2025

H 564: An Act relative to improved special needs transportation and student safety, "John's Law"

By Representative DuBois of Brockton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 564) of Michelle M. DuBois relative to transportation of special needs students. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves special needs transportation safety, directly enhancing educational access and student safety within K-12 systems per its title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 29, 2025

H 3787: An Act addressing the shortage of school bus drivers

By Representative Sousa of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3787) of Priscila S. Sousa relative to commercial drivers licenses for school bus operators. Transportation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAddresses school bus driver shortage via CDL regulations, enabling student transportation access and supporting educational access.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAddresses school bus driver licensing shortage, enhancing transportation safety and operational capacity for school transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Driver Licensing Public Transit

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 29, 2025

H 4038: An Act relative to school transportation reimbursement

By Representative Barrett of North Adams, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4038) of John Barrett, III relative to school transportation reimbursement. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides reimbursement for school transportation costs, directly supporting educational operations and funding within K-12 school systems.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds school transportation reimbursement, directly supporting transportation services for students and school operations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 18, 2025

H 567: An Act fairly reimbursing local school transportation of foster children

By Representative Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 567) of Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Steven J. Ouellette and Colleen M. Garry relative to reimbursing local school transportation of foster children. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill reimburses schools for foster children transportation, ensuring educational access. Directly supports vulnerable students' access to schools via funding mechanism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 25, 2025

H 4404: An Act relative to improved special needs transportation and student safety, "John's Law"

This bill requires school districts to provide bus drivers, monitors, and attendants with written safety reports for students with disabilities transported on special vans. The reports must detail specific impairments (like sensory, communication, or physical needs) that could affect safety during transport, but only if required by a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or with written parental consent. It directly affects school districts, transportation staff, and students with disabilities by standardizing safety communication while respecting existing IEP requirements and parental rights.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates safety reports for students with disabilities during school transport, protecting educational access and safety. Directly addresses K-12 student safety within education system.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires safety reports for special needs student transport, enhancing safety protocols within school transportation systems per IEPs/parental consent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education Public Transit

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1779: An Act relative to school bus stop safety

By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1779) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others for legislation to prohibit certain sex offenders from loitering within 500 feet of school bus stops. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances student safety at school bus stops, a direct K-12 education protection measure per legislative intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4593: An Act authorizing the city of Lowell to contract for the provision of transportation of homeless students

This bill (HD 4593) allows the City of Lowell to contract for transporting homeless students without following General Law Chapter 30B. It exempts Lowell from those specific transportation contracting rules, requiring the city to handle homeless student transportation contracts in the same way it does for special education students. The City Manager determines the terms and conditions for these contracts, which can cover trips entirely within Lowell, outside Lowell, or between Lowell and other municipalities. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables transportation for homeless students, removing barriers to educational access within K-12 system85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education

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