Education

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 654: An Act promoting safe technology use and distraction-free education for youth

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 335) of Julian Cyr, Andrea Joy Campbell, Attorney General , Nick Collins and Barry R. Finegold for legislation to promote safe technology use and distraction-free education for youth. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes distraction-free education and safe technology use, directly enhancing student learning environments per its title and summary.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1719: An Act to fix the chapter 70 inflation adjustment

By Ms. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 388) of Robyn K. Kennedy, Vanna Howard, Jacob R. Oliveira, Mike Connolly and other members of the General Court for legislation to fix the chapter 70 inflation adjustment. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFixes Chapter 70 inflation adjustment to maintain school funding levels against inflation, directly supporting K-12 school financial stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2225: An Act expanding access to computer science coursework

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 362) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation to expand access to computer science coursework. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands access to computer science coursework, advancing educational access in K-12 schools per its title and summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly expands computer science coursework access, promoting technology education and digital skills development, directly supporting technology advancement.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1067: An Act addressing school exclusion policies to remedy disparities in students' educational achievement

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 376) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to promote the education success of court involved children. Education.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets court-involved children's education to reduce disparities, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing root causes of system involvement.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAddresses school exclusion policies to remedy disparities in student achievement, directly advancing educational equity for court-involved children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 948: An Act to support educational opportunity for all

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2013) of Adam Gomez, James B. Eldridge and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to support educational opportunity for all. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly references 'Revenue' in summary to fund educational opportunity, aligning with funding public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill title and summary explicitly state 'support educational opportunity for all' with revenue focus, directly aligning with support indicators like funding and access expansion.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 394: An Act establishing a tax credit for teachers purchasing supplies

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2054) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to establish a tax credit for teachers purchasing supplies. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes tax credit for teachers purchasing supplies, providing direct tax relief for middle-income educators, aligning with fiscal support indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationTax credit for teacher supplies directly supports educators' classroom needs, alignating with 'supports teachers and educators' indicator without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Teachers

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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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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1123: An Act fairly reimbursing local school transportation of foster children

This bill requires Massachusetts school districts to be reimbursed for transportation costs when moving foster children to their school of origin (determined to be in the child's best interest). The state's education and children's departments must apply to the federal government for reimbursement under the Every Student Succeeds Act, using a state-certified cost form. If federal funds don't cover all costs, the state department must reimburse the remaining amount directly to the school district. It directly affects school districts providing transportation for foster youth and ensures they aren't left bearing these costs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationReimburses school districts for foster child transportation costs, directly supporting school funding under education policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2368: An Act relative to healthy and sustainable schools

This bill creates a Healthy and Sustainable Schools Office within Massachusetts' Department of Energy Resources. It mandates regular energy audits for all public schools and colleges, prioritizing those in environmental justice communities (defined as areas with low income or high minority populations). The audits must include ventilation verification assessments by certified technicians and cover energy efficiency improvements like HVAC upgrades and building envelope repairs. Schools must conduct these audits at least every five years, with results used to identify cost-saving and emissions-reducing upgrades. The bill directly affects all public elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates energy audits and efficiency upgrades for schools, improving physical infrastructure and health conditions - directly advancing educational environment quality.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy audits and efficiency upgrades (HVAC, building envelopes) for schools, directly advancing energy efficiency standards in public infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates energy audits and efficiency upgrades (HVAC, building envelope) in schools, reducing energy use and emissions. Prioritizes environmental justice communities for environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Environmental Justice

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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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