Education (Special Education)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4593: An Act authorizing the city of Lowell to contract for the provision of transportation of homeless students

This bill (HD 4593) allows the City of Lowell to contract for transporting homeless students without following General Law Chapter 30B. It exempts Lowell from those specific transportation contracting rules, requiring the city to handle homeless student transportation contracts in the same way it does for special education students. The City Manager determines the terms and conditions for these contracts, which can cover trips entirely within Lowell, outside Lowell, or between Lowell and other municipalities. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables transportation for homeless students, removing barriers to educational access within K-12 system85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education

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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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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1544: An Act establishing a special commission on special education funding

This bill establishes a special commission to study and improve Massachusetts' state funding for special education services. The commission, composed of education officials, legislative leaders, and advocates from disability and school organizations, will examine the current Chapter 70 funding formula and the special education circuit breaker program. It must recommend specific changes by March 2026, including adjustments for inflation, modifications to local funding requirements, and improvements to the circuit breaker program. The commission's work directly affects how special education funding is calculated and distributed across school districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates commission to study and improve state funding for special education, including inflation adjustments and funding formula modifications, directly strengthening fiscal management of essential education programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates commission to study and improve special education funding, aiming to enhance state support for students with disabilities through inflation adjustments and formula modifications.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3759: An Act relative to the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of special education in the Commonwealth

By Representatives Scanlon of North Attleborough and Kushmerek of Fitchburg, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 691) of Adam J. Scanlon, Michael P. Kushmerek and others relative to the special education reimbursement program and for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of special education funding. Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill investigates special education funding sustainability, promoting fiscal responsibility for essential public programs within budget management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill investigates special education funding sustainability and proposes reimbursement program reforms to ensure long-term fiscal health, directly strengthening education funding systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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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 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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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 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 1015: An Act relative to autism education reform

This bill requires Massachusetts law enforcement and correction officers to complete new training on interacting with people on the autism spectrum, focusing on de-escalation and sensory processing. It establishes mandatory autism-specific endorsements for special education teachers and paraprofessionals, requiring two years of coursework and field experience. Schools must place students with autism in specialized programs (when appropriate) and ensure all staff in those classrooms hold the autism endorsement, while also mandating video cameras in those classrooms for educational records. The bill directly affects school staff, students with autism, and law enforcement agencies by creating new credentialing standards and classroom protocols.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates autism training for law enforcement/corrections on de-escalation, improving interactions and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates autism-specific teacher endorsements and specialized programs for students with autism, enhancing specialized educational support and teacher qualifications.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3864: An Act relative to special education finance

By Representative Peisch of Wellesley, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 670) of Alice Hanlon Peisch relative to special education finance. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill specifically addresses special education finance, indicating intent to fund and support specialized educational services within K-12 system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

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