Bill > H4297

This bill proposes the Lowell Mason Arts Education Equity Act, which mandates that beginning in fiscal year 2026, each public and charter school district in Massachusetts must allocate an additional 1% of their total Chapter 70 Funding (state education aid) exclusively to arts education programs. The funds are to be used for specific purposes, including hiring new certified visual and performing arts educators in disciplines like dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts, with 80% dedicated to educator salaries and 20% available for professional development, instructional materials, equipment, extracurricular arts programs, and administrative expenses. The bill requires school districts to submit annual reports to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) detailing how these funds are used, and emphasizes that the money must supplement, not replace, existing arts education funding. To support implementation, DESE will provide technical assistance, create a grant program for arts education partnerships, and hire additional staff to oversee the initiative. The funding for this program will come from sources like Fair Share Funding, Massachusetts Lottery-Gaming receipts, or Student Opportunity Act Funding. If districts fail to comply with the requirements, DESE can withhold a portion of their Chapter 70 Funds, with the act taking effect on July 1st following its passage.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4297