Bill > H691

This bill establishes a special commission to study and improve the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of special education funding in Massachusetts. The commission will evaluate the current special education financing structure with several key goals, including ensuring sufficient funding for high-quality education, recognizing variations in resources needed for different disabilities, providing more assistance to districts with more special education students and fewer local resources, and creating a more predictable and stable funding system. The bill proposes increasing the Circuit Breaker reimbursement (a program that helps districts with high-cost special education students) from 75% to 90%, expanding reimbursement to include Pre-K and kindergarten out-of-district placements, and mandating 90% reimbursement for special education transportation costs. The commission will consist of 17 members representing various educational and governmental organizations, including representatives from school administrators, teachers' unions, parent associations, and government committees. The commission is required to conduct at least four public hearings across the state and submit a comprehensive report by June 30, 2027, with recommendations for improving special education funding. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for providing funding to educational collaboratives for per-pupil facilities needs, starting at $4,320 per pupil in fiscal year 2025 and adjusting annually for inflation.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H691