Education (Special Education)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 682: An Act creating documentation requirement standards to demonstrate a disability for a public institution of higher education in the commonwealth

This bill establishes clear documentation standards for students with disabilities to access accommodations at public colleges and universities in the commonwealth. It specifies that acceptable proof includes past special education plans, Section 504 plans, evaluations from licensed professionals, or records from other schools or institutions. Public institutions must create and publicly post a simple process for determining eligibility for accommodations on their websites. The Board of Higher Education will develop detailed rules to implement these standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStandardizes documentation for disability accommodations in higher education, improving access and eligibility processes for students with disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 328: An Act eliminating predatory transportation pricing of school districts

This bill establishes a daily price cap on transportation contracts for school districts serving students with special education needs, out-of-district students, and students experiencing homelessness (covered under the federal McKinney-Vento Act). It creates a 15-member school transportation commission to set pricing rules based on student numbers, miles traveled, and current labor rates, with members representing school committees, transportation providers, and advocacy groups. The commission will review contracts annually, require direct approval for large contracts, and assess how transportation costs impact student outcomes. School districts and transportation companies must comply with these rules to prevent excessive pricing and ensure transparency in funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill caps transportation costs for vulnerable students (special ed, homeless), preventing financial strain on school districts and supporting educational access under McKinney-Vento.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 546: An Act to ensure equitable access to education, including special education services, for all students in Massachusetts

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 546) of Marjorie C. Decker for legislation to ensure equitable access to education. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly aims to ensure equitable access to education and special services, directly advancing educational access as defined in the topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 61: An Act relative to civic test requirements for graduation

This bill requires all public high schools to administer a civics test identical to the U.S. citizenship civics test before graduation. Students must score at least 60% (60 correct answers out of 100) to graduate or earn a general equivalency diploma, starting in the 2021-2022 school year, with retakes allowed until passing. Special education students are exempt from this requirement. The state education department must establish rules to monitor schools' compliance with this new graduation standard.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires civics test for graduation, strengthening curriculum standards and civic education as part of K-12 policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Testing & Assessment

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2025

HD 4315: An Act relative to the appropriation of special education expense reimbursements and the Education and Transportation Fund

HD 4315 requires that before any funds can be appropriated from the Education and Transportation Fund for other purposes, the state must first fully fund the special education reimbursement program under Chapter 71B, Section 5A(c) for the same fiscal year. This bill directly affects school districts receiving special education reimbursements and the state budget process by prioritizing education funding. The key mechanism establishes a sequence: special education reimbursements must be fully funded first, before other allocations from the fund can occur. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to all future fiscal years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates full funding of special education reimbursements before other appropriations, prioritizing essential education program funding within state budget process.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates full funding of special education reimbursements before other appropriations, prioritizing education budget allocation per Chapter 71B, Section 5A(c).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1439: An Act to ensure educational rights are upheld for incarcerated youth

This bill ensures incarcerated youth under 22 in Massachusetts correctional facilities (including county houses of corrections and state facilities) have access to educational opportunities equivalent to those in public schools. It requires schools to credit coursework completed in custody toward graduation, mandates special education services for eligible students, and sets a minimum standard of 6 hours of classroom instruction daily, 12 months a year. The bill also guarantees access to vocational training, high school equivalency programs (like GED), and college-level courses while in custody. These provisions apply regardless of a youth’s disciplinary status or facility classification.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates educational access and rehabilitation programs for incarcerated youth, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing recidivism risk through rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures incarcerated youth access to equivalent educational opportunities, mandates coursework credit, and special education services, expanding educational access for a vulnerable population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Special Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1734: An Act ensuring full reimbursement for in-district school transportation costs

This bill requires the state to fully reimburse school districts for special education transportation costs that exceed regular program costs. It directly affects cities, towns, regional school districts, and vocational schools serving students with special education needs. Reimbursement covers the regular program's average per-pupil cost plus excess costs (capped at 110% of the statewide average), calculated using specific department-defined methods. Funding increases gradually, reaching 100% reimbursement by fiscal year 2029. The bill ensures districts aren't burdened by costs not covered under existing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state reimbursement for special education transportation costs, increasing government spending on public education services per the topic's budget/funding focus.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates state reimbursement for special education transportation costs, increasing school district funding for accessibility and support of students with disabilities.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates state reimbursement for special education school transportation costs, directly funding a transportation service under the topic's scope of infrastructure and services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 2933: An Act to ensure equitable access to education, including special education services, for all students in Massachusetts

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 546) of Marjorie C. Decker for legislation to ensure equitable access to education. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly ensures equitable access to education and special education services, directly advancing educational access for all students as defined in the topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 18, 2025

H 505: An Act providing state support for municipal private special education costs

By Representative Arena-DeRosa of Holliston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 505) of James C. Arena-DeRosa relative to private special education costs. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides state funding for private special education costs, directly strengthening K-12 special education support and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1818: An Act relative to parental choice for medically fragile students

This bill requires health insurance policies (including group plans, hospital services, and health maintenance contracts) to cover medically necessary treatments for students with disabilities, as specified in their individual education plans or similar federal special education documents. It directly affects students with disabilities whose care is outlined in these plans and their families, ensuring insurers cannot deny coverage based on disability. The law mandates that all qualifying insurance policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2024, provide equal coverage for these treatments without discrimination. It applies broadly to all relevant insurance products under Massachusetts law, aligning with existing federal special education requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates insurance coverage for medically necessary treatments per IEPs, directly enabling educational access for students with disabilities by removing coverage barriers.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for medically necessary treatments for students with disabilities, preventing denial based on disability - directly expands health coverage access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health Hospitals Insurance

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