Education

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 7, 2026

H 1457: An Act expanding the community college training incentive program

This bill amends a section of state law governing community college training programs. It updates the legal description to explicitly include "credit-bearing" courses alongside existing "not-for-credit" options within the Community College Training Incentive Program. The change clarifies that the program can now support courses that count toward academic credits, not just non-credit training. This is a technical language update to the program's definition, not a change to program funding or eligibility. The bill affects community colleges offering training programs under this specific incentive.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands community college training incentives, increasing access to higher education programs and aligning with educational access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 1469: An Act relative to special education reserve funds

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1469) of Jacob R. Oliveira relative to school district special education reserve funds. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes reserve funds for special education, directly increasing dedicated funding for K-12 support programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 2561: An Act to promote student learning and mental health

The committee on Senate Ways and Means to whom was referred the Senate Bill to promote student learning and mental health (Senate, No. 2549), - reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2561).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly promotes student learning and mental health, directly advancing educational outcomes. Committee recommends passage with amendment, indicating clear supportive intent for student well-being and learning programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly promotes mental health services for students, directly aligning with healthcare's mental health focus through advancement of services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1779: An Act relative to school bus stop safety

HD 1315 (An Act relative to school bus stop safety) actually prohibits level 2 or 3 sex offenders from remaining within 500 feet of designated school bus stops for more than 15 minutes. This applies to sex offenders required to register, with an exception allowing parents or legal guardians to stay longer while waiting for their child to board or alight. Violations carry escalating penalties: $500 for a first offense, up to $1,500 and 2.5 years in jail for third offenses. The bill directly affects registered sex offenders and requires law enforcement to notify the sex offender registry board of violations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances student safety at school bus stops, a direct K-12 education protection measure per legislative intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 27, 2025

H 1431: An Act expanding access to higher education tuition and fee waivers for adopted foster children

This bill removes a restriction that previously limited tuition and fee waivers for adopted foster children to only "state-supported" colleges. It directly affects youth who were in foster care and adopted, expanding their access to higher education cost assistance. The key change modifies existing law by striking "state-supported" and inserting "full" after "provide," meaning waivers can now apply at any eligible institution, not just state-funded ones. This is a concrete policy adjustment to broaden educational opportunities for this specific group.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands tuition/fee waivers for adopted foster children in higher education, increasing access and support for a vulnerable student group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 27, 2025

H 1427: An Act reducing the cost of attending college

HD 2192 establishes the Open Educational Resource (OER) Trust Fund to reduce college costs for students at Massachusetts public institutions of higher education. The bill creates a dedicated fund to develop, distribute, and promote free or low-cost course materials (like textbooks and digital resources) instead of expensive commercial textbooks. Public colleges must use these materials in eligible courses, and the fund supports faculty training, technical assistance, and competitive grants for institutions to implement OER. The law requires annual public reporting on fund usage, savings for students, and grant outcomes. This directly affects students facing textbook cost burdens and public colleges implementing OER programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes open educational resource trust fund to reduce college costs, directly increasing affordability and access in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 25, 2026

H 1336: An Act relative to access to Paid Family and Medical Leave and unemployment insurance for graduate student workers

The bill amends Chapter 151A, Section 6 of Massachusetts General Laws by removing subsection (k), but the provided text does not describe what subsection (k) contained or the specific policy change being enacted. Without context on the original subsection or the bill's full provisions, the exact impact on graduate student workers' access to paid family/medical leave or unemployment insurance cannot be determined from this excerpt. The summary provided in the bill text is empty, and the amendment alone does not clarify whether this removes a barrier, eliminates a provision, or modifies eligibility rules. A complete summary would require the full bill text or explanation of subsection (k)'s prior content.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides paid family/medical leave and unemployment insurance for graduate student workers, directly supporting higher education staff and enhancing educational access through improved worker benefits.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends paid family medical leave and unemployment insurance access to graduate student workers, expanding worker benefits and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Unemployment

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 8, 2025

S 949: An Act to provide green and healthy public colleges and universities and address their deferred maintenance needs

This bill creates a commission to assess and improve the health and energy efficiency of Massachusetts public college and university buildings, directly affecting all 15 public institutions (including UMass, community colleges, and state universities). The commission will evaluate factors like air quality, water safety, energy use, and accessibility, then develop standards and publish findings online. It establishes two funds: one to cover debt service on campus construction (freeing up money for faculty hiring and student support programs) and another to finance renovations and new construction meeting the commission's green and healthy standards. The bill mandates that by 2027, all new academic/administrative buildings must be fully funded by the state, eliminating reliance on institutional debt.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates commission to improve energy efficiency, safety, and accessibility in public higher education buildings, supporting institutional infrastructure and environmental health for students and staff.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates commission to recommend energy efficiency upgrades for public college buildings, directly advancing energy efficiency standards as a core mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 8, 2025

S 2592: An Act relative to tuition waivers for children raised by a grandparent

Senate, September 2, 2025 -- The committee on Higher Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 924) of Julian Cyr and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to tuition waivers for children raised by a grandparent or other relative, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No.2592).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tuition waivers for children raised by grandparents, expanding higher education access. Directly supports educational access for a specific group under higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 13, 2025

S 2703: An Act relative to the rights of faculty members at the University of Massachusetts

Senate, November , 2025 -- The committee on Higher Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 933) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation relative to the rights of faculty members at the University of Massachusetts, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2703).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects faculty rights at UMass, aligning with supporting educators in higher education as per topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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