Education

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1567: 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 EducationBill creates state grants to address student food insecurity at public colleges, enhancing educational access and student support through funding and program requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1424: An Act to improve and enhance the Advisory Board to the Massachusetts School Building Authority

This bill amends the composition of the Advisory Board to the Massachusetts School Building Authority by increasing its size from 17 to 19 members. It specifically adds two new organizations to the board: the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators, Inc. and the Alliance for Vocational Technical Education Coalition. The change directly affects vocational education stakeholders who will now have representation on the board. This adjustment aims to enhance the board's advisory role in school building decisions by including additional vocational education perspectives. The bill focuses on structural changes to the board's membership, not substantive policy.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds vocational education stakeholders to school building board, enhancing advisory role for vocational programs within K-12 education85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3684: An Act relative to creating a commercial driver’s license pilot program at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School

By Representative Honan of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 601) of Kevin G. Honan relative to creating a commercial driver’s license pilot program to be administered by Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in the city of Boston. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates vocational training program at technical high school, expanding student career education opportunities within K-12 framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 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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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2026: An Act establishing the John F. Kennedy service scholarship program for student debt relief for peace corps, americorps, and commonwealth corps alumni

This bill creates the John F. Kennedy Service Scholarship program to provide student debt relief for Massachusetts residents who completed volunteer service with the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Massachusetts' Commonwealth Corps. Eligible applicants must be Massachusetts residents, have completed one approved volunteer program, work for Massachusetts state/municipal government, a federal office in Massachusetts, or a Massachusetts nonprofit, and earn below the state median income. Qualified individuals would receive grants covering 100% of their outstanding student debt, up to a maximum of $5,000 per person. The program's implementation would be managed by a state agency, subject to annual funding appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides student debt relief for Peace Corps/AmeriCorps alumni, expanding higher education access by reducing financial barriers for graduates entering public service roles.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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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 · Senate

SD 1411: An Act relative to enhancing hiring practices to prevent sexual abuse

This bill requires school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and contracted service providers to screen job applicants for positions involving regular student contact by verifying past employment for history of child abuse or sexual misconduct investigations. Applicants must disclose any such investigations (unless resolved as false) and schools must contact former employers and check the Central Registry for substantiated abuse findings. Substantiated abuse findings disqualify applicants, and false disclosures can lead to employment denial or termination. The law directly affects all schools and service providers hiring staff with student-facing roles.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates abuse screening for school staff to protect students, directly enhancing educational safety protocols within K-12 settings.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2149: An Act relative to the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of special education in the Commonwealth

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 430) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Joanne M. Comerford, Vanna Howard, Michael D. Brady and other members of the General Court for legislation for a special commission to review and valuate the commonwealth’s current special education financing structure. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to review special education financing structure for fiscal sustainability, directly addressing education funding and long-term system health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3836: An Act relative to charter school caps

By Representative Day of Stoneham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 540) of Michael S. Day, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and James B. Eldridge relative to charter school caps. Education.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill imposes caps on charter school expansion, restricting their growth, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of limiting school programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3952: An Act relative to special education reimbursement

By Representative Muradian of Grafton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 654) of David K. Muradian, Jr. relative to special education reimbursement. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides state reimbursement for special education costs, strengthening school funding for students with disabilities within K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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