Rep. Carol Doherty

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to change how public funds are distributed to charter schools based on the specific spending habits of the school districts that send students there. Instead of using a standard funding rate, the state will calculate tuition for each charter school by adjusting the district's base budget to reflect its actual per-pupil spending, including special education and healthcare costs. The legislation also ensures that districts do not lose state aid for students who transfer from private schools or are homeschooled, while requiring the state treasurer to deduct the local share of these funds from the district's state aid before distribution.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal framework for training, assessing, and assigning qualified interpreters to support students and families with limited English proficiency in Massachusetts schools. It creates specific definitions for different types of meetings, such as standard conferences and specialized sessions involving legal or disciplinary matters, and sets criteria for when an interpreter's language skills must be formally evaluated. The legislation also introduces a tiered system for interpreters, distinguishing between those who require formal assessment and those whose proficiency is deemed sufficient without it. Ultimately, the act aims to ensure that all educational interactions involving non-English speakers are conducted by interpreters who possess the necessary language skills, subject matter knowledge, and ethical understanding.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts student transportation laws to give parents and guardians the option to opt out of school bus services for their children. It requires school and regional districts to offer this annual choice at least 30 days before the school year begins, ensuring that if a parent declines, the district is not required to provide transport for that student. Additionally, the bill mandates the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a registry of transportation vendors and conduct a study on how districts could better organize shared transportation services. These changes directly affect school districts, transportation providers, and families who currently rely on or are offered school bus services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education laws to allow students to count their participation in 4-H programs as school attendance, equivalent to an educational field trip. It requires schools to provide opportunities for students to complete missed work and ensures that grades are not negatively impacted by their absence from class for these activities. The legislation also mandates that 4-H agents provide proof of participation upon school request, while explicitly excluding attendance credit during standardized testing periods or times when a student is suspended or expelled.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to create a shared purchasing network for zero-emission vehicles used by state and local governments. By collecting and sharing vehicle specifications among participating members, the network aims to consolidate demand and lower costs through joint procurement. The program is also open to regional, county, and quasi-public entities, as well as states involved in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, upon their request.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to improve transparency and oversight within the Massachusetts State Auditor's office. It primarily affects the Auditor's internal structure by removing specific deputy roles and updating the titles of remaining staff positions. The legislation also expands the Auditor's authority to review new laws and regulations for their financial impact on cities and towns, requiring agencies to share impact statements. Additionally, it clarifies the Auditor's power to request records, including electronic data, and mandates timely responses to such requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Green and Healthy Schools Working Group to develop a plan for making all school buildings in Massachusetts healthier and more energy-efficient by 2050. The group will include representatives from various state agencies and will consult with educators, parents, and community members through public listening sessions to gather input. Based on its findings, the working group will recommend specific standards and a division of responsibilities for renovating existing schools and constructing new ones to ensure safe, sustainable learning environments. State agencies will then be tasked with implementing and enforcing these standards according to a timeline that includes five-year progress benchmarks.