Bill > H504

This bill requires each school district in Massachusetts to provide an ex-officio, nonvoting seat on the school committee to representatives from two specific parent advisory councils: the English Language Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELLPAC) and the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). These representatives will be elected annually by their respective councils in accordance with their bylaws and must notify the school committee of their selection within 30 days of the election. The representatives will not have the right to attend executive sessions unless explicitly granted permission by the school committee, will be subject to all school committee rules and regulations, and will serve without compensation. The bill aims to ensure equitable representation for parents of English Language Learners and students with special needs by giving these advisory councils a formal, though non-voting, presence in school district decision-making processes, in line with existing Massachusetts laws and regulations that support these parent advisory councils.