S 1241 Massachusetts Senate · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act related to educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults

This bill (SD 821) requires state prisons and county correctional facilities to provide diverse educational programming for incarcerated individuals aged 18-25 who lack a high school diploma or equivalent. It mandates at least one high school equivalency program (like HiSET) with credit toward graduation, plus specialized classes such as college readiness, vocational training, or workforce development. Facilities must ensure all eligible individuals have access to at least four hours of daily programming, with at least four hours spent in group settings (not in cells), and maximize in-cell tablet learning as additional time. The bill also prioritizes partnerships with nonprofits and educational institutions specializing in serving this age group, and staff with relevant lived experience.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Oct 20, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Jun 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Pavel Payano
Pavel Payano
DDemocratic
MA
First Essex