Bill > H617

This bill establishes an educational mandate task force comprised of 11 members, including legislative leaders, education officials, and representatives from various education-related associations, to comprehensively review existing state mandates imposed on public schools and districts in Massachusetts. The task force will have three primary objectives: (1) identify and review state laws, regulations, and administrative directives that create requirements for school districts, including reporting and data submission requirements, (2) identify laws requiring the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to submit legislative reports based on district-provided information, and (3) develop recommendations to streamline, consolidate, or eliminate mandates that are outdated, duplicative, or inconsistent with current practices. As part of their work, the task force will explore creating a unified master reporting form to reduce redundant reporting and develop a process to prevent future duplicative reporting requirements. The task force must hold at least one public hearing, convene within 60 days of the act's effective date, and file a comprehensive report with legislative recommendations within 12 months of their first meeting, offering a systematic approach to reducing administrative burdens on school districts.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H617