Bill > H4406

This bill prohibits public and private higher education institutions in Massachusetts from considering legacy preferences (family connections to the institution) or donor relationships when making admissions decisions. Specifically, colleges and universities are banned from using an applicant's familial relationship to current or former students or donors as a factor in admission, and they cannot include information in application documents that reveals a relative's previous attendance or donations to any college. The bill also requires the Department of Higher Education to conduct a comprehensive review of binding early decision admission policies, examining their impact on student diversity across economic, racial, ethnic, immigrant, and first-generation student populations. The review will involve consulting numerous stakeholders, including educational organizations, state departments, and committees, and must produce recommendations and a public report within one year of the act's effective date. The legacy and donor preference restrictions will take effect for admission decisions leading to initial enrollment in the 2026-2027 school year and beyond, giving institutions time to adjust their admissions practices.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Higher Education (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4406