An Act decriminalizing non-violent and verbal student misconduct
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 3/26/2026 | House | Accompanied a study order, see H5281↗ (under House Rule 27) |
| — | House | Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order |
| 10/20/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 06/10/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2 |
| 6/5/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 06/10/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2 |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on The Judiciary |
No additional cosponsors.
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J19 | Accompanied | — |
Chapter 272 of the General Laws is amended by striking out section 40, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:
Disturbance of assemblies. Whoever wilfully interrupts or disturbs an assembly of people met for a lawful purpose shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one month or by a fine of not more than fifty dollars; provided, however, that K-12 students shall not be charged, adjudicated, or convicted for alleged violation of this provision due to conduct within school buildings or grounds or in the course of school-related events. Whoever, within one year after being twice convicted of a violation of this section, again violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by imprisonment for one month, and the sentence imposing such imprisonment shall not be suspended.
Chapter 272 is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (b) of section 53, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following subsection: (b) Disorderly persons and disturbers of the peace, for the first offense, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $150. On a second or subsequent offense, such person shall be punished by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than 6 months, or by a fine of not more than $200, or by both such fine and imprisonment, provided, however, that an elementary or secondary school student shall not be charged, adjudicated, or convicted for alleged violation of this provision due to conduct within school buildings or grounds or in the course of school-related events.
SECTION 1. Chapter 272 of the General Laws is amended by striking out section 40, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section: Section 40. Disturbance of assemblies. Whoever wilfully interrupts or disturbs an assembly of people met for a lawful purpose shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one month or by a fine of not more than fifty dollars; provided, however, that K-12 students shall not be charged, adjudicated, or convicted for alleged violation of this provision due to conduct within school buildings or grounds or in the course of school-related events. Whoever, within one year after being twice convicted of a violation of this section, again violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by imprisonment for one month, and the sentence imposing such imprisonment shall not be suspended. SECTION 2. Chapter 272 is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (b) of section 53, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following subsection: (b) Disorderly persons and disturbers of the peace, for the first offense, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $150. On a second or subsequent offense, such person shall be punished by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than 6 months, or by a fine of not more than $200, or by both such fine and imprisonment, provided, however, that an elementary or secondary school student shall not be charged, adjudicated, or convicted for alleged violation of this provision due to conduct within school buildings or grounds or in the course of school-related events.