Bill > S442

This bill establishes a special legislative commission to comprehensively investigate and study state funding for special education services in Massachusetts. The commission will be composed of 16 members, including government officials like the Secretary of Education (who will chair the commission), legislative leaders, representatives from education associations, and advocates for students with disabilities. The commission is tasked with examining the Chapter 70 education funding formula and the special education circuit breaker program, with the goal of recommending improvements to how special education is funded. Specifically, the commission will explore potential changes such as adjusting foundation aid calculations to account for inflation, modifying local contribution requirements, potentially raising or removing contribution caps, reforming penalties for localities not meeting funding efforts, and improving the circuit breaker program that supplements local special education funding. The commission is required to submit a detailed report with legislative recommendations by March 6, 2026, which will be published on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's website, ensuring transparency and potential future policy improvements for special education funding.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S442