An Act to reduce out-of-school suspensions
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 9/15/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
| 6/25/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 07/08/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2 |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Education |
No additional cosponsors.
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J14 | Favorable | 1 entries |
¾ of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:- (g)(1) For the purposes of this subsection, the term “in-school suspension” shall mean the removal of a student from regular classroom activities, but not from the school premises, for no more than 10 consecutive school days, or no more than 10 school days cumulatively for multiple infractions during the school year. (2) Schools shall offer, where appropriate, an option for in-school suspension. A student serving an in-school suspension shall have the opportunity to earn credits, as applicable, and make up assignments, tests, papers and other school work as needed to make academic progress during the period of their removal from the classroom or school. In-school suspensions shall be monitored by: (i) at least 1 person who holds a standard educator certificate or a provisional educator certificate, pursuant to section 38G, and has experience teaching subject matter involving science or mathematics; and (ii) at least 1 person who holds a standard educator certificate or a provisional educator certificate, pursuant to said section 38G, and has experience teaching subject matter involving the humanities or social sciences; provided, that 1 person may satisfy the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii). (3) The department shall provide funding or staff to any school that demonstrates an insufficient funding or staffing level for the maintenance of an in-school suspension program, as determined by the department.
Section 37H¾ of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:- (g)(1) For the purposes of this subsection, the term “in-school suspension” shall mean the removal of a student from regular classroom activities, but not from the school premises, for no more than 10 consecutive school days, or no more than 10 school days cumulatively for multiple infractions during the school year. (2) Schools shall offer, where appropriate, an option for in-school suspension. A student serving an in-school suspension shall have the opportunity to earn credits, as applicable, and make up assignments, tests, papers and other school work as needed to make academic progress during the period of their removal from the classroom or school. In-school suspensions shall be monitored by: (i) at least 1 person who holds a standard educator certificate or a provisional educator certificate, pursuant to section 38G, and has experience teaching subject matter involving science or mathematics; and (ii) at least 1 person who holds a standard educator certificate or a provisional educator certificate, pursuant to said section 38G, and has experience teaching subject matter involving the humanities or social sciences; provided, that 1 person may satisfy the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii). (3) The department shall provide funding or staff to any school that demonstrates an insufficient funding or staffing level for the maintenance of an in-school suspension program, as determined by the department.