An Act relative to autism education reform

This bill requires Massachusetts law enforcement and correction officers to complete new training on interacting with people on the autism spectrum, focusing on de-escalation and sensory processing. It establishes mandatory autism-specific endorsements for special education teachers and paraprofessionals, requiring two years of coursework and field experience. Schools must place students with autism in specialized programs (when appropriate) and ensure all staff in those classrooms hold the autism endorsement, while also mandating video cameras in those classrooms for educational records. The bill directly affects school staff, students with autism, and law enforcement agencies by creating new credentialing standards and classroom protocols.