Education

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 2946: 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, expanding health education curriculum in K-12 schools per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2607: An Act relative to suicide prevention in schools

This bill requires all Massachusetts public school staff - including educators, health providers, and new hires - to complete biennial suicide prevention training using evidence-based methods. It mandates schools to have at least one mental health professional for every 400 students by January 2027. The training must be integrated into existing professional development, and schools must provide suicide prevention materials to new staff within 30 days of hiring. These provisions directly affect school districts, educators, and students by standardizing suicide prevention resources and staffing ratios.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates suicide prevention training for staff and requires mental health professionals per 400 students, directly enhancing student support services in schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates suicide prevention training and mental health professional ratios (1:400), directly advancing school-based mental health services per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 346: An Act relative to recess for elementary and middle school students

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 417) of Patrick M. O'Connor, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., Joanne M. Comerford, Vanna Howard and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to mandatory recess for elementary and middle school students. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates mandatory recess for K-12 students, enhancing student well-being and structured school programs within education policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1705: An Act relative to increasing 529 deductions

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2066) of Jacob R. Oliveira relative to increasing college savings plan deductions. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax deductions for 529 college savings plans, providing tax relief for education savings. Directly advances tax policy supporting families.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases tax deductions for 529 college savings plans, enhancing higher education affordability and access through tax incentives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4041: An Act to provide fair wages to employees of public institutions of higher education

HD 4041 requires the state of Massachusetts to cover the full cost of fringe benefits (including pensions and health insurance) and incremental salary increases from collective bargaining agreements for employees at public universities and colleges. It applies to faculty and staff covered by agreements with the University of Massachusetts or the Board of Higher Education, excluding grant-funded or auxiliary positions. The bill mandates that these institutions must certify each agreement will ensure average salaries for each job category reach at least the national average (adjusted for cost of living) by the contract’s end. This shifts funding responsibility from institutions to the state budget for these specific costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funding for public university employee benefits and salary increases, increasing government spending on public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates state funding for higher education employee benefits/salary increases, directly supporting faculty/staff compensation and institutional stability in public universities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates state coverage of health insurance as a fringe benefit for public higher education employees, directly expanding healthcare coverage for workers.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires state funding for full fringe benefits and salary increases from collective bargaining, directly advancing worker compensation and rights for public higher education employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2455: An Act relative to video cameras required in certain special education classrooms

By Mr. Finegold (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 365) of Jennifer Baptista, for legislation relative the placement of video and audio equipped cameras in self-contained and sub-separate classrooms and audio recording devices in the restrooms of self-contained classrooms. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates cameras in special education classrooms for safety monitoring, aligning with protective measures under education support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2681: An Act relative to geography education

This bill establishes a commission to study geography education in Massachusetts public schools (K-12). The commission, composed of 8 members including educators, industry representatives, and state officials, will assess current curriculum frameworks, professional development opportunities, and best practices in geography education. It must report findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 31, 2025, including draft legislation if needed. The bill also creates "Massachusetts Geography Education Week" in early April and updates the council on global education to include geographic alliance representatives. This is a procedural measure focused on study and reporting, not immediate policy changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes commission to study and improve geography curriculum in K-12 schools, indicating proactive enhancement of educational content and practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1459: An Act relative to special education reserve funds

This bill increases the required reserve fund for special education in Massachusetts from 2% to 5% of annual net school spending. It directly affects public school districts by mandating a higher percentage of their operating funds be set aside specifically for special education services. The key provision is the amendment to Section 13E of Chapter 40, changing the funding percentage without altering other program requirements. This adjustment provides schools with greater financial resources to support students with special needs. The change applies to all public school districts receiving state education funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases mandatory special education reserve funds from 2% to 5% of school spending, directly boosting financial resources for special education services in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1552: An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products

HD 1552 requires shelters, schools, and correctional facilities to provide free disposable menstrual products (like pads, tampons, and liners) to menstruating individuals without stigma. It applies to temporary housing providers (e.g., domestic violence shelters, emergency hotels), all public primary/secondary schools, and correctional facilities (jails, prisons). The bill mandates these products be available in convenient, non-stigmatizing ways, such as in restrooms. This directly affects menstruating people experiencing homelessness, attending school, or in detention. The law creates a new requirement for these specific institutions to cover the cost of products.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free menstrual products in public schools, directly improving access for menstruating students and reducing barriers to attendance/learning.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates free menstrual products in public facilities to ensure access to essential health resources without stigma, directly improving access to health services for menstruating individuals.90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2297: An Act relative to access to paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance for graduate student workers

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 747) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to allow for graduate student workers to have access to paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides paid leave and unemployment insurance to graduate student workers in higher education, strengthening workforce stability and well-being within the higher education sector.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides paid medical leave access for workers, improving healthcare access by reducing financial barriers to medical care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly extends paid family/medical leave and unemployment insurance to graduate student workers, expanding their employment benefits and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Unemployment

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