Bill > H717

This bill establishes a special legislative commission to comprehensively investigate and study state funding of special education services in Massachusetts. The commission will be composed of 15 members, including government officials like the Secretary of Education and Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, legislative committee chairs, representatives from both political parties, and key education stakeholders such as leaders from teachers' unions and school associations. The commission is tasked with examining the Chapter 70 funding formula (which determines state education aid to local districts) and the special education circuit breaker program, with a specific mandate to recommend improvements in several key areas: adjusting foundation aid calculations to account for inflation and rising costs, modifying local contribution requirements, potentially raising or removing contribution caps, reforming penalties for localities not meeting funding efforts, and enhancing the special education circuit breaker program. The commission is required to submit a comprehensive report with legislative recommendations by March 6, 2026, which will be made publicly available through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's website, with the goal of ultimately improving financial support for special education services across the state.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H717