Bill > H425

This bill establishes an educational mandate task force, comprised of 11 members including legislative leaders from the joint committee on education, the secretary of education, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, a representative from the division of local mandates, and leaders from various Massachusetts associations representing school superintendents, school committees, school business officials, secondary school principals, elementary school principals, and special education administrators. The task force's primary responsibility is to review all existing state mandates, which are requirements imposed by the state on public schools and districts, including reporting obligations. The task force will identify these mandates, determine their associated costs to school districts, and pinpoint opportunities to simplify, combine, or remove any mandates or reporting requirements that are redundant or conflict with current laws, regulations, or practices. Finally, the task force is required to submit a report detailing its findings and recommendations, along with any proposed legislation, to the state legislature within six months of its initial meeting.