Education

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 11, 2025

S 1384: An Act relative to student mental health

This bill requires public schools (grades 6-12) and colleges/universities to include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline contact information on all new or replacement student ID cards. It directly affects schools and institutions issuing student IDs by mandating the inclusion of the 988 phone and text number. The requirement applies to IDs issued on or after July 1, 2025, with existing non-compliant cards allowed to be used until depleted. The bill does not change funding or create new programs, solely adding crisis resource information to existing student identification.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAddresses student mental health, a critical component of educational access and student well-being, enhancing school support services within K-12 context.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly addresses student mental health services under healthcare topics, aligning with support indicators for strengthening mental health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

H 383: An Act expanding licensure opportunity for school counselors

This bill expands licensure opportunities for school counselors to become mental health counselors. It allows school counselors to count their relevant graduate coursework (even if under 60 credits) and school-based supervised experience toward mental health counselor licensure requirements. Specifically, it permits their existing school counseling training and 2 years of supervised clinical experience (including as school counselors) to satisfy education and experience standards for mental health counselor exams. The bill directly affects current school counselors seeking to transition into mental health counseling roles.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands licensure opportunities for school counselors, increasing access to mental health support in schools and aligning with educational access and support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 556: An Act providing CPR and AED Education for All, AKA The CPR and AED Education for All Act

By Representative Doherty of Taunton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 556) of Carol A. Doherty and James K. Hawkins relative to requiring instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of defibrillators for high school graduation. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates CPR/AED training as a high school graduation requirement, enhancing student health curriculum and safety education within K-12 framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 27, 2025

H 1444: An Act relative to higher education financial literacy counseling

This bill requires public higher education institutions in Massachusetts to provide financial literacy counseling to all accepted students before they arrive on campus. The counseling must cover student loans and all education expenses, including tuition, housing, books, and transportation, along with available financial aid options like grants and work-study. Institutions must also offer a standardized college financing plan developed by federal agencies (CFPB and U.S. Department of Education), which details estimated costs and funding sources. The plan can be provided electronically in printable format, and the Board of Higher Education is authorized to create rules for implementation. This directly affects public colleges and their incoming students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy counseling for higher education students, enhancing student financial support services and educational access.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 5, 2026

H 1422: Resolve providing for the study and investigation relative to expanding the in-state higher education tuition and fee waiver program

HD 3402 establishes a special commission to study expanding eligibility for a state tuition and fee waiver program. The commission, composed of heads of relevant state agencies (including Health, Human Services, and Disability Services), will identify which clients of state programs (such as developmental services or mental health programs) should qualify for the waiver, estimate costs, and propose funding sources. They must submit findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 1, 2027. This resolution is a study mechanism only; it does not change current eligibility or funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks to study expanding in-state tuition waiver program, directly increasing higher education access and affordability for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 10, 2025

S 461: An Act to protect children's learning, focus, and emotional health during school hours

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 461) of John C. Velis, Carmine Lawrence Gentile, James C. Arena-DeRosa, Paul R. Feeney and other members of the General Court for legislation to prohibit access to personal electronic devices and social media in public schools. Education.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits personal devices/social media in schools, restricting student access during learning hours95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits personal electronic devices and social media in schools, directly restricting technology access for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 23, 2025

S 939: An Act establishing the hunger-free campus initiative

This bill establishes a state grant program to address student food insecurity at public colleges and universities. It creates a Hunger-Free Campus Trust Fund to provide funding for institutions meeting specific requirements, such as having campus staff for food assistance access, accepting federal nutrition benefits at on-campus vendors, and implementing meal credit sharing programs. Institutions must meet income-based criteria for grant levels and report on program activities annually. The program director will develop guidelines, and participating institutions must report on student engagement and outcomes to state officials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants to public higher education institutions to address student food insecurity, directly enhancing educational access and student welfare in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 23, 2025

S 2535: An Act establishing the hunger-free campus initiative

Senate, June 23, 2025 -- The committee on Higher Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 939) of Joan B. Lovely, Joanne M. Comerford, Michael D. Brady, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish the hunger-free campus initiative that would provide grants to institutions of public higher education to address student food insecurity and hunger, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2535).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides grants to public higher education institutions to address student food insecurity, directly enhancing educational access and student well-being through targeted funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 23, 2025

S 921: An Act to facilitate student financial assistance

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 921) of Joanne M. Comerford and Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to facilitate student financial assistance and establish the FAFSA Trust Fund. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes FAFSA Trust Fund to facilitate student financial assistance, directly increasing funding access for higher education students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2025

H 26: Legislative recommendations of the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System

This bill (H 26) is not a single legislative proposal but a submission of eight separate recommended bills from the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement Board for the 2025-2026 legislative session. The recommendations address specific retirement system adjustments, including redefining pension forfeiture for certain offenses (like child pornography possession), clarifying service credit purchases for educators in non-public schools, correcting interest rates on refund buybacks, and expanding teaching service purchase opportunities to all U.S. territories. Key provisions also aim to improve retirement benefit calculations by including workers' compensation supplemental pay and extending leave equity for public retirees on extended unpaid leave. These proposals directly affect Massachusetts public school teachers, retirement system members, and their employers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill recommends retirement system adjustments for teachers (e.g., clarifying service credit, pension forfeiture), directly supporting teacher welfare and benefits within the education topic.90% confidence

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