This bill establishes a special education financing commission to study Massachusetts' special education funding system and recommend improvements for long-term fiscal health. The commission must evaluate current funding structures and propose changes to achieve specific goals, including ensuring sufficient funds for high-quality education, equitable distribution based on student needs and district resources, and predictable funding with 90% reimbursement for transportation and circuit breaker costs. Key policy changes include raising transportation reimbursement to 90% and lowering the approved costs threshold for funding from $45,793 to $37,120 per student. The bill directly affects school districts, students with disabilities, and their families by aiming to make special education funding more stable, equitable, and sufficient. The commission must submit recommendations by June 2025.
HD 1210 increases Massachusetts' reimbursement rate for school districts' special education costs from 75% to 90%. This directly affects public school districts that provide special education services by requiring the state to cover a larger share of eligible expenses. The bill amends Chapter 71B of Massachusetts General Laws to change the reimbursement percentage in the relevant section. This policy change would increase state funding for school districts' special education programs.
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.
By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 442) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to establish a special commission on special education funding. Education.
This bill establishes a minimum foundation funding level for special education services in Massachusetts public schools. It directly affects school districts that serve students with special needs by requiring them to receive at least this set amount per student. The key provision modifies the existing funding formula to ensure a consistent base level of support for special education programs across all districts.
By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 442) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to establish a special commission on special education funding. Education.
This bill establishes Chapter 71C in Massachusetts education law to ensure equitable educational opportunities for gifted and beyond-grade-level students. It requires schools to provide a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) tailored to their unique needs, including specialized programs and services, and prohibits denying these services based on standardized test results. The law defines key terms like "beyond grade-level" (students performing above grade-level curriculum), "twice-exceptional" (gifted students with disabilities), and mandates the Board of Education to create regulations for implementing these services. It directly affects public schools, districts, and students identified as gifted or beyond grade-level, aiming to support their academic, social, and emotional development.
This bill requires health insurance policies (both group and individual) to cover medically necessary special education services, including those outlined in a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). School districts must obtain annual written parental consent before billing insurance for these services, while informing families about potential premium increases or costs like deductibles. Crucially, districts cannot deny, delay, or withhold required special education services if families refuse to authorize insurance billing or if insurers deny coverage. The bill also mandates strict privacy protections, limiting disclosure of student health information to only what's necessary for insurance coverage decisions.
HD 3112 establishes a special commission to study Massachusetts' special education funding system (Chapter 71B) and recommend changes to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. The bill directly affects school districts and students with disabilities by requiring the commission to evaluate funding equity, predictability, and adequacy for meeting student needs. Key mechanisms include mandating 90% circuit breaker reimbursement for special education transportation and adjusting the approved costs threshold from $45,793 to $37,120 per student. The commission must also address equitable funding based on student disability needs and district resources, with recommendations due by June 2027. These changes aim to improve funding stability and support for schools serving students with disabilities.
This bill (SD 40) requires the state treasurer to reimburse school districts and vocational schools for transportation costs of students in special education programs. It directly affects school districts that provide transportation for these students, as it covers costs not normally provided to regular students and not eligible for other state reimbursements. The reimbursement includes the base cost per pupil in regular programs plus any excess costs for special education transportation, capped at 110% of the average excess cost across all districts. Funding will be phased in over four years, starting at 25% in 2026 and reaching 100% by 2029.
