H 628 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relative to celebrating and teaching Native American culture and history

HD 1916 requires Massachusetts public schools to include specific content about Native American culture and history in their curriculum. The bill mandates that educational standards cover five key areas: the history and current issues of Massachusetts tribes (like Wampanoag and Nipmuc), historic tribal connections to the state (such as the Wabanaki Confederacy), national Native American history, tribal sovereignty and treaty rights, and contemporary issues facing Native Americans in Massachusetts. School boards must consult with the Commonwealth's established relationship with Native American tribes - defined by treaties, laws, and executive orders - when developing these standards. This policy change directly affects all public school students and educators in Massachusetts by setting new curriculum requirements for teaching Native American heritage.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Nov 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Nov 17, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Nov 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Education
lower
1 primary · 20 co-sponsors

Sponsors