Education (Student Health)

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 2, 2025

H 539: An Act relative to healthy school lunches

By Representative Day of Stoneham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 539) of Michael S. Day and Natalie M. Blais relative to nutrition in public schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes nutritious school meals in public schools, enhancing student health and well-being - a direct support for educational access and student program quality within K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

H 4456: An Act expanding licensure opportunity for school counselors

This bill (H 4456) modifies Massachusetts licensure requirements for mental health counselors to directly benefit school counselors. It allows school counselors (already licensed as specialized instructional support personnel) to apply their existing graduate coursework and supervised clinical experience toward mental health counselor licensure, including credits from programs under 60 credits. Applicants must still complete two additional years of supervised clinical experience (with specific supervision requirements) and evidence-based suicide prevention training. The bill explicitly permits school counselors to take the mental health counselor licensure exam, streamlining their path to expanded practice.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands licensure pathways for school counselors, enabling them to provide mental health services in K-12 schools without redundant requirements, directly supporting student access to counseling services and educator professional development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health counselor licensure pathways, increasing access to school-based mental health services by reducing barriers for existing school counselors.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Medical Licensing

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 14, 2025

H 4429: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

H 4429 is a supplemental appropriations bill for Massachusetts' fiscal year 2025, adding funding to existing state budgets rather than creating new programs. It allocates specific sums to current operations, including $700,000 for the Suffolk District Attorney's Office, $12 million for school meals, $2.05 billion for MassHealth payments, and $18.5 million for public health hospitals. The bill provides these supplemental funds from the General Fund or Transitional Escrow Fund, with most amounts available through June 2026, to support ongoing state services and address unanticipated needs. It directly affects state agencies and programs already funded in the annual budget, not new policy initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.05B for MassHealth, $12M for school meals, and other essential services from existing funds, strengthening public program funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $12 million for school meals under K-12 education funding, directly advancing educational access and operations through supplemental appropriations.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2.05 billion for MassHealth payments, directly strengthening public health coverage and funding existing healthcare programs without defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 2, 2025

H 4563: An Act relative to suicide prevention in schools

H 4563 requires Massachusetts school health providers and educators to complete at least 2 hours of evidence-based suicide prevention training every other year as part of existing professional development. New staff hired during years without required training must receive suicide prevention materials within 30 days of employment. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must develop approved training materials with evidence of effectiveness, in consultation with public health and mental health agencies. The bill directly affects all school staff holding or applying for educator licenses in the Commonwealth.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates suicide prevention training for educators, strengthening student mental health support within K-12 schools and enhancing educator preparedness.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates evidence-based suicide prevention training for school staff, advancing mental health services in educational settings95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 6, 2025

H 681: An Act relative to combating violence in schools

By Representative Reyes of Lawrence, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 681) of Estela A. Reyes that school councils provide packets and trainings for managing children's wellbeing at home. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates school councils to provide wellbeing resources for students, directly addressing school safety to support educational environment and student welfare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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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 Jan 8, 2026

H 2887: An Act relative to credible service for school nurses

By Representative LaNatra of Kingston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2887) of Kathleen R. LaNatra, Michael D. Brady and Bud L. Williams relative to credible service for school nurses. Public Service.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes credible service for school nurses, supporting school staff benefits within education context70% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 11, 2025

S 1384: An Act relative to student mental health

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1384) of Joanne M. Comerford, James B. Eldridge, Patricia D. Jehlen and Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to student mental health. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

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

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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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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