Education

passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 15, 2025

H 30: An Act clarifying creditable service buyback for publicly funded non-public schools

So much of the recommendations of the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (House, No. 26) as relates to clarifying creditable service buyback for publicly funded non-public schools

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies teacher retirement buyback for non-public school educators, supporting teacher benefits and retention within publicly funded schools.85% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House May 27, 2025

HD 4407: An Act to regulate school enrollment

By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Colleen M. Garry for legislation to establish an opt-out admissions lottery process for charter schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes opt-out lottery for charter school admissions, promoting equitable enrollment access within K-12 education policy85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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signed · Massachusetts · Senate May 29, 2025

S 2521: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill (S 2521) allocates specific funding for child care programs under the Executive Office of Education for fiscal year 2025. It provides $95,554,342 for DCF and DTA-related child care and $94,015,214 for income-eligible child care, supplementing existing appropriations. The funds are intended to support low-income families and early education services through established state agencies. The bill was enacted as an emergency measure on May 29, 2025, with no new policy requirements beyond the specified funding amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $189M for child care programs supporting low-income families, supplementing existing appropriations to fund essential public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $189M for income-eligible child care under Education Office, directly supporting early education access for low-income families.95% confidence

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 10, 2025

H 708: An Act requiring a mental health wellness examination for all school children

By Representative Sousa of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 708) of Priscila S. Sousa relative to requiring a mental health wellness examination for all school children. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health wellness exams for school children, enhancing student support services within education policy.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health wellness exams for school children, advancing access to mental health services within healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 29, 2025

S 422: An Act relating to seizure disorders in schools

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 422) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to relate to seizure disorders in schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAddresses student health/safety in schools (seizure disorders), enhancing educational environment and accessibility per Education topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 4407: An Act relative to college in high school

H 4407 requires Massachusetts public colleges and universities to establish clear, written policies for granting college credit to high school students who earn qualifying scores on Advanced Placement exams, complete International Baccalaureate programs, or take dual enrollment courses. These policies must specify minimum score requirements, how credit applies toward degree requirements (e.g., general education or major courses), and how credits transfer between institutions, with all policies posted online for transparency. The state Department of Higher Education will review these policies every three years and report findings to the legislature. The bill also creates an Office of Early College to oversee statewide early college programs, which are partnerships between high schools and colleges allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires colleges to establish clear policies for granting college credit via AP/IB/dual enrollment, expanding student access to higher education pathways.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 17, 2026

H 1448: An Act creating higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and other developmental disabilities

By Representative Kushmerek of Fitchburg, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1448) of Michael P. Kushmerek for legislation to create higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly creates higher education opportunities for students with disabilities, expanding educational access per topic description.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 8, 2025

S 923: An Act relative to college in high school

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 923) of Brendan P. Crighton and Manny Cruz for legislation relative to college credits while attending high school. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables high school students to earn college credits, expanding access to higher education opportunities through concurrent enrollment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 7, 2026

H 1456: An Act relative to community colleges and the career technical initiative

By Representative Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1456) of Adam J. Scanlon relative to community colleges and the career technical initiative. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill addresses community colleges and career technical initiatives under Higher Education, directly advancing educational access and workforce programs without restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 2, 2025

H 4463: An Act to provide green and healthy public colleges and universities

This bill creates a Green and Healthy Public College and University Building Planning Commission to assess and improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, accessibility, and safety in all public higher education buildings across Massachusetts. The commission, including representatives from universities, labor groups, health and environmental organizations, must develop standards by 2028 and create a plan to ensure all public college/university buildings meet these standards by 2037. It requires public reporting through an online dashboard tracking building assessments and prioritizes renovations for facilities serving underserved communities or with the greatest health/safety needs. The bill also establishes a dedicated fund to finance these upgrades using state appropriations, grants, and other sources, with cost-benefit analyses comparing long-term savings to upfront investments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationImproves physical infrastructure for higher education buildings, enhancing safety, accessibility, and environmental quality - directly advancing educational environment standards.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates energy efficiency standards for public college buildings, directly advancing energy conservation goals through commission-led planning and implementation timelines.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates energy efficiency standards and indoor air quality improvements in public buildings, directly advancing environmental protection through reduced emissions and healthier facilities by 2037.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncludes labor groups in commission to improve building safety standards, directly addressing workplace safety under Labor & Employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Energy Efficiency Air Quality

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