An Act relative to supporting student participation in 4-H programs
This bill ensures Massachusetts public schools treat student participation in 4-H programs as excused absences, counting up to 5 days per year the same as field trips. Schools must provide make-up work and prevent grades from being negatively affected due to 4-H participation. It does not apply during standardized testing periods or if a student is suspended/expelled. The policy takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
Bill status
passed
3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Sep 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025
Last action Sep 4, 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
7
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Sep 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
lower
Aug 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Education
lower
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Ken Sweezey
RRepublican
Co
Adrianne Ramos
DDemocratic
Co
Bruce Tarr
RRepublican
Co
Carmine Gentile
DDemocratic
Co
Jamie Eldridge
DDemocratic
Co
John Marsi
RRepublican
Co
Richard Wells
DDemocratic
Co
Ryan Fattman
RRepublican
Co
Sally Kerans
DDemocratic
Co
Steven Ouellette
DDemocratic
Co
Todd Smola
RRepublican
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