DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY AND REPORT ON WORKFORCE DATA RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS.

The final bill requires the Department of Education to include a recommended hourly, weekly, and bi-weekly rate ensuring all education support professionals earn at least the minimum living wage per the MIT Living Wage Calculator. This requirement had been removed by Senate Amendment No. 1 but was restored in the final text.

The report must include specific data points: number of employed support professionals by LEA and job classification (temporary vs. permanent), number of vacant positions, number earning less than $40/hour, number working casual/seasonal (defined as fewer than 29.75 hours per week), and average hourly rates compared to the $40 benchmark.

The bill defines 'education support professionals' as nonsupervisory job categories: food service, transportation, custodial and maintenance workers, clerical services, security services, IT services, skilled trades, and paraeducators or other individual student aides.

The Department of Education must submit the report to the House Education Chair, Senate Education Chair, Joint Finance Committee Chairs, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Controller General by November 2, 2026.

The bill's scope was clarified to cover all local education agencies (LEAs) statewide, with data broken down by LEA, job classification, and employment status. The $40/hour figure serves as a policy benchmark tied to the MIT Living Wage Calculator figure of $39.89/hour for a household with 1 adult and 1 child.

While not directly appropriating funds, the report's recommendation of pay scales aligned with a living wage creates a clear pathway toward future budgetary action to raise compensation for education support professionals earning below the threshold.