Education

in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 3, 2025

HD 5272: An Act relative to the Athol-Royalston Regional School District Financial Stability Fund

By Representative Whipps of Athol and Senator Comerford, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Susannah M. Whipps relative to the Athol-Royalston Regional School District Financial Stability Fund. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates a financial stability fund for a school district, ensuring sustained educational funding and operational stability.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 27, 2025

H 1438: An Act increasing awareness of public student loan forgiveness

By Representative Higgins of Leominster, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1438) of Natalie M. Higgins, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and James B. Eldridge that the student loan ombudsman establish a live annual training program for all state employees regarding eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program through the U.S. Department of Education. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases awareness of Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for state employees, aiding educators and public service workers with student debt. Supports educational access and workforce retention in education roles.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jul 30, 2026

H 4361: An Act relative to benefits for teachers

This bill ensures teachers who move from classroom roles to positions at the Executive Office of Education or the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education retain their status in the teacher retirement system (or Boston retirement system), avoiding a switch to the state employees' retirement system. It requires such employees to pay makeup contributions for the difference in retirement payments between systems during their time in state education roles. Additionally, it creates a one-time 180-day opportunity for eligible teachers (who began contributing before July 2001 and didn’t choose an alternative retirement program) to join a specific retirement benefit program. The bill directly affects current and future educators transitioning to state education agency jobs, focusing on maintaining retirement benefits and contribution continuity.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill preserves teacher retirement benefits during role transitions in education, directly supporting educators' financial security and retention in public education roles.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures teachers retain preferred retirement benefits when moving to education admin roles, protecting employment benefits and avoiding less favorable retirement systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Retirement Benefits

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 13, 2025

S 933: An Act relative to the rights of faculty members at the University of Massachusetts

By Ms. Jehlen, a 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. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects faculty rights at UMass, advancing higher education support for educators and aligning with teacher/protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 27, 2025

H 4652: An Act relative to higher education financial literacy counseling

This bill requires Massachusetts public and private institutions of higher education to provide financial literacy counseling to accepted students about student loans and related expenses upon campus arrival. It mandates that institutions offer a standardized College Financing Plan developed by federal agencies, detailing all costs (tuition, housing, books, etc.) and available aid (grants, scholarships, loans). The plan must be provided electronically in a printable format, and the Board of Higher Education may create implementing regulations. The bill directly affects all institutions receiving state higher education funding and their incoming students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy counseling and standardized cost planning for higher education students, enhancing informed decision-making about loans and expenses to improve educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 3035: An Act to reduce graduate student loan debt

By Representative Cabral of New Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3035) of Antonio F. D. Cabral relative to the taxation of graduate student loan debt. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill addresses taxation of graduate student loan debt, implying tax relief for borrowers, aligning with 'provides tax relief for middle/lower income' indicator.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill reduces graduate student loan debt, improving access to higher education and easing financial burden on students, aligning with educational access support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 683: An Act relative to special education health care costs

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 683) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to special education health care costs. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill addresses special education health care costs, indicating financial support for educational services within K-12 systems.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses special education health care costs, implying funding or support for related services within the healthcare topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1593: An Act supporting school-based substance use prevention through evidenced-based positive social norms marketing

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1593) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to support school-based substance use prevention through evidenced-based positive social norms marketing. Public Health.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill supports school-based substance prevention programs, enhancing student health initiatives within educational settings per its title and summary.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 1421: An Act establishing the John F. Kennedy service scholarship program for student debt relief for peace corps, americorps, and commonwealth corps alumni

By Representative Arena-DeRosa of Holliston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1421) of James C. Arena-DeRosa, Kristin E. Kassner and Carmine Lawrence Gentile for legislation to establish a student debt relief grant program. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes student debt relief for higher education service alumni, expanding access to higher education through financial support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 8, 2025

S 918: An Act expanding access to higher education tuition and fee waivers for adopted foster children

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 918) of Joanne M. Comerford and Jason M. Lewis for legislation to expand access to higher education tuition and fee waivers for adopted foster children. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition/fee waivers for adopted foster children in higher education, directly increasing access to post-secondary education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track