Sen. Adam Gómez

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Higher Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 827) of Adam Gomez and Adam Scanlon for legislation relative to admissions requirements to institutions of higher education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 834) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to increase access to higher education for disadvantaged students; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1287) of Adam Scanlon and Adam Gomez relative to admissions requirements to public institutions of higher education, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2677)

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 239) of Michael D. Brady, James K. Hawkins, Patrick M. O'Connor and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to establish a special commission on creating a more diversified teaching workforce in the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 252) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to promote racially integrated schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 254) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to promote racially and culturally inclusive K-12 curriculum; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 259) of Julian Cyr, Jack Patrick Lewis, Vanna Howard and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation relative to LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 286) of Adam Gomez and Vanna Howard for legislation to ensure diversity in public education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 288) of Adam Gomez, Tram T. Nguyen, Steven Ultrino, Jack Patrick Lewis and others for legislation to promote racially inclusive curriculum in schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 299) of Robyn K. Kennedy, Steven Owens and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to address racial and cultural bias training in educator professional development; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 311) of Jason M. Lewis, Manny Cruz, Joanne M. Comerford, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to educator diversity; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 318) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Lydia Edwards, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a permanent commission on American Indian and Alaska Native education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 340) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation to enable all students to thrive: protecting a high quality, diverse educator workforce; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 344) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Jack Patrick Lewis, Joanne M. Comerford, Vanna Howard and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to celebrate and teach Native American culture and history, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2709).

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the mandatory requirement for standardized college entrance tests for undergraduate admission to public universities in Massachusetts. While these exams will no longer be required, applicants are still allowed to submit test scores voluntarily if they wish to do so. The change directly affects current and prospective students applying to state-funded higher education institutions. By amending existing state law, the legislation shifts the admissions process to focus on other criteria rather than standardized testing results.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary halt on approving new or expanded gas infrastructure projects across Massachusetts until at least 2026. The measure specifically targets facilities that process, store, transmit, or distribute combustible fuels like natural gas, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen. Under the new rules, regulators cannot grant permits for these projects unless they are strictly necessary for public safety. Additionally, the legislation prevents towns without existing gas service from digging up streets to build new fuel systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to prevent students from dropping out of school and help those who have left to return by requiring all children under 18 who have not graduated to attend school. It mandates that public schools use a specific data system to identify students at risk of not graduating, which must include social and emotional factors alongside traditional metrics. The legislation also requires schools to hold annual workshops for parents and teachers on how to support at-risk students and allows for waivers if districts use alternative data tracking methods. Additionally, the bill removes criminal penalties for students who fail to attend school before reaching the mandatory age limit.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school committees in Massachusetts to recognize two student representatives elected by secondary school students each year. These representatives would gain the right to vote on all matters discussed by the committee, while still being subject to existing rules and serving without pay. The legislation also establishes a student advisory committee to support the elected representatives and help students access resources.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill aims to limit how schools can punish students for violations of dress and grooming codes. It requires school dress codes to allow religious headwear, apply rules equally to all genders, and forbid staff from physically enforcing these rules or making students undress in front of others. Additionally, the law prohibits suspending or expelling students solely for breaking dress code standards. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is tasked with creating necessary training and policies to help schools comply with these new requirements.

Senate, March 14, 2024 -- Text of the Senate Bill ensuring affordability, readiness and learning for our youth and driving economic development (Senate, No. 2707) (being the text of Senate, No. 2697, printed as amended)

March 21, 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 266) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to enhance the educational outcomes of expectant and parenting students; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 282) of Anne M. Gobi and Steven S. Howitt for legislation to promote a healthy culture and climate within schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 285) of Adam Gomez and Michael J. Barrett for legislation relative to dropout prevention and recovery; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 290) of Adam Gomez, Lydia Edwards, James B. Eldridge and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to reduce exclusionary discipline for grooming and dress code violations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 294) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Sal N. DiDomenico, James B. Eldridge and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to promote the education success of court involved children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 300) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation relative to safer schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 305) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to promote safe firearm storage education and increase the well-being of students; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 341) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation relative to dropout prevention and student recovery; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 348) of Michael F. Rush and Paul McMurtry for legislation relative to parental notification in public schools, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2663).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to streamline emergency housing assistance for children and families facing homelessness in Massachusetts. It allows families to declare their own immediate need for housing, requiring the department to offer shelter placement on the same business day if that need is confirmed. The legislation also prohibits denying assistance while waiting for further verification and mandates that staff use existing data from other agencies to minimize the paperwork families must provide. Additionally, the bill requires the department to create specific rules to support these faster processing times and ensure timely access to necessary information.