Education (School Safety)

passed · Massachusetts · House May 2, 2025

H 3942: An Act relative to increasing the safety and security in schools

By Representative Tarsky of Needham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3942) of Joshua Tarsky relative to safety and security in schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly addresses school safety as part of educational infrastructure, directly advancing student and staff protection within schools, a core educational support measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 69: An Act relative to alert systems in public schools

HD 69 requires Massachusetts public schools to install silent panic alarms that immediately alert law enforcement during life-threatening emergencies - like active shooters or intruders - without making noise inside the building. The alarms must link directly to local police and activate an emergency light upon use. Schools must have at least one such device per building, subject to funding, and the law shields public employers from liability for injuries related to implementing this requirement. This bill directly affects public schools and law enforcement response protocols.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires silent panic alarms in schools for emergency safety, improving school infrastructure as a support indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 160: An Act relative to school safety issues

This bill creates a new "school safety resource officer" position within Massachusetts' Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The officer will directly assist schools by providing safety information and evaluating their safety plans. The key mechanism is designating a specific department staff member to serve this role, making support more centralized. This applies to all public schools in Massachusetts requiring safety plan reviews. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated school safety role to protect students and evaluate safety plans, enhancing school environment and operational security within education system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 460: An Act relative to fees for student organizations

This bill prohibits schools from requiring students to pay fees to participate in specific types of student organizations. It directly affects students in school groups focused on political activities, faith-based initiatives, charitable work, health promotion, student leadership (like student council), or efforts to address discrimination, racism, sexism, bullying, or other forms of bigotry. The key provision states that no participant may be charged a fee for organizations whose primary purpose falls within these explicitly listed categories. The law applies to all school organizations meeting these criteria, ensuring no financial barrier for students engaging in these activities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves fees for inclusive student organizations (anti-bullying, leadership), enhancing educational access and program participation per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 652: An Act relating to seizure disorders in schools

The Seizure-Safe Schools Act requires all public and private schools to ensure at least one trained staff member per school can administer FDA-approved seizure rescue medications and manual vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) magnets. Schools must provide seizure recognition and first-aid training to all staff with student contact, obtain written parental and medical authorization for medications, and develop individualized seizure action plans for students diagnosed with seizure disorders. The law applies only to schools with enrolled students using such medications or diagnosed with seizure disorders, and mandates age-appropriate seizure education for all students. It also provides liability protection for school staff acting in good faith under the approved health plans.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to implement medical safety protocols for students with seizure disorders, enhancing student safety and access to education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates seizure management protocols in schools, ensuring student access to medical care and safety under healthcare standards90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 442: An Act relative to phone-free schools

This bill requires all Massachusetts public school districts to implement a "pouch system" that restricts student use of personal electronic devices (like phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day. Schools must store devices in lockable pouches upon student arrival, with staff unlocking pouches only at day's end or when authorized for specific educational purposes. Each district must create and annually submit a written policy for department review, including minimum requirements for device storage and authorized use. The policy directly affects all K-12 students and school staff across Massachusetts public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRestricts student device use to minimize distractions, promoting focused learning environments per bill's purpose of enhancing educational focus during school day.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student access to personal devices (phones, tablets) during school hours, directly limiting technology use in educational settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 24, 2025

HD 4297: An Act relative to safer schools

This bill (HD 4297) requires Massachusetts public schools to establish clearer limits on school resource officers (SROs), prohibiting them from handling routine discipline like minor disruptions. It mandates that SROs only intervene when conduct involves criminal behavior (e.g., violence, property damage, theft) and requires schools to report annually on SRO costs, student interactions with police, and data on arrests/citations - broken down by race and gender. The bill also creates state grants to help schools adopt "holistic safety practices" (like counseling and conflict resolution) instead of relying on law enforcement presence. These changes apply to all public schools, districts, and regional schools, with penalties for failing to submit required reports.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts SROs from routine discipline, mandates racial/gender data on arrests/citations - enhancing accountability and reducing school-based criminalization per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRestricts SROs from routine discipline, mandates equity reporting, and promotes safer school environments aligning with educational safety and equity goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing School Safety Student Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Sep 25, 2025

H 4538: An Act relative to preventing educator sexual misconduct and abuse of children and youth

This bill requires all Massachusetts schools (public, private, charter, and religious) to adopt formal abuse prevention policies and implement specific safety measures. It mandates biennial training for school staff on recognizing, preventing, and reporting abuse or sexual misconduct, and requires age-appropriate student education on boundaries, healthy relationships, and reporting concerns. Schools must also conduct thorough background checks on applicants for positions involving direct student contact, including verifying employment history and any past investigations into misconduct allegations. The bill directly affects educators, school staff, and students by establishing standardized safety protocols and reporting procedures across all school settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school safety policies, staff training, and student education on abuse prevention, strengthening student protection in educational settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Teachers

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 17, 2025

H 4745: An Act promoting safe technology use and distraction-free education for youth

This bill requires public schools and districts to adopt policies restricting personal electronic device use during school hours and school activities to reduce distractions and support learning. The state education department must provide a model policy including secure device storage options, methods for parents to contact students during the day (including emergencies), and enforcement rules that prevent unfair discipline. Schools must file their adopted policies annually by September 1, with exceptions for students with disabilities, health accommodations, or emergencies. The policy must not lead to student expulsion or suspension solely for device use violations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates device restrictions to reduce distractions and support learning, directly enhancing educational environment per its title and summary.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts personal electronic device use in schools to reduce distractions, directly limiting technology access in educational settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 843: An Act establishing mandatory school emergency response drills in the Commonwealth

This bill requires all public and private elementary and secondary schools (excluding colleges/universities) in the Commonwealth to implement mandatory emergency response protocols and drills. School administrators must collaborate with local police to create protocols for incidents like active shooters, during specific times such as lunch or class changes. Schools must conduct at least two emergency response drills and one safety lesson per school year during regular hours, with one drill and the safety lesson required within the first month of the school year. Summer school sessions also require at least one additional drill and safety lesson beyond the regular school year requirements. The bill directly affects all K-12 schools and their staff/students by mandating specific, timed safety procedures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school safety drills and protocols, enhancing student protection in educational environments per topic description.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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