Education

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

H 383: An Act expanding licensure opportunity for school counselors

By Representatives Hamilton of Methuen and Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 383) of Ryan M. Hamilton and Andres X. Vargas relative to expanding licensure opportunities for school counselors. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

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

By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1444) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others relative to financial literacy counseling for students accepted at public institutions of higher education. Higher Education.

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

By Representative Arena-DeRosa of Holliston, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 1422) of James C. Arena-DeRosa for an investigation by a special commission relative to expanding the in-state higher education tuition and fee waiver program. Higher Education.

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 Feb 27, 2025

SD 743: An Act to remodel public school athletics through social-emotional learning

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 315) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to remodel public school athletics through social-emotional learning. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill integrates social-emotional learning into public school athletics, enhancing student programs and educational approach within K-12 schools.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2172: An Act to support college students in recovery

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 951) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to support college students in recovery. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly supports college students in recovery through higher education initiatives, enhancing student access and support programs within the education topic area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2222: An Act relative to recess for elementary and middle school students

This bill requires Massachusetts public and charter schools to provide all K-8 students with at least 30 minutes of daily supervised outdoor recess when weather permits, or indoor physical activity if needed. Schools cannot reduce recess time due to curriculum changes or withhold it for academic work, individualized education plans, or completing classroom tasks. Exceptions apply to shortened school days (e.g., delayed openings) and field trip days.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates daily supervised recess for K-8 students to protect student well-being and physical activity, preventing curriculum or academic work from reducing recess time.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1387: An Act to establish a reduced fare pilot program for students aboard South Coast Rail

This bill establishes a 50% reduced fare pilot program for student commuter rail passes on the South Coast Rail corridor. It directly affects students enrolled at Bridgewater State University who live in specific municipalities along the route (including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, and several towns). The program prioritizes distribution based on student financial need, with the MBTA implementing it for the 2025-2026 academic year. The bill requires a report by September 2026 detailing the number of passes distributed by location, total cost, and other program metrics.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides reduced commuter fares for university students to improve access to higher education, prioritizing financial need at Bridgewater State University.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes 50% reduced fares for student commuter rail passes on South Coast Rail, directly promoting public transit accessibility and usage for students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 488: An Act relative to transparency and accountability in charter school finance

HD 488 changes how Massachusetts charter schools are funded by requiring districts to pay charter schools based on each district's actual per-pupil spending, adjusted for how much above their foundation budget they spend. Instead of a flat rate, districts calculate payments using their foundation budget (excluding special education tuition-outs) and an adjusted percentage reflecting their actual spending above that budget. This directly affects sending districts (which pay the funding) and charter schools (which receive it), ensuring payments better reflect the cost of educating students in each district. The bill also excludes certain costs like special education tuition-outs from the calculation and specifies how the state treasurer handles payments and deductions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdjusts charter school funding to reflect district spending, promoting equitable resource allocation and transparency in school finance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Special Education

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