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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2794         FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 452

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Keiko M. Orrall and Colleen M. Garry

_______________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
              Court assembled:

              The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the passage of the accompanying:

An Act regarding surveys in public schools.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Keiko M. Orrall

12th Bristol

Colleen M. Garry

36th Middlesex

Thomas J. Calter

12th Plymouth

Peter J. Durant

6th Worcester

Ryan C. Fattman

18th Worcester

Randy Hunt

5th Barnstable

Kevin J. Kuros

8th Worcester


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2794        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 452

By Representatives Orrall of Lakeville and Garry of Dracut, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 452) of Keiko M. Orrall and others for legislation to require parental notification prior to the taking of student surveys in the public schools regarding personal or private issues.  Education. 


The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
 

 

An Act regarding surveys in public schools.
 

              Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

              Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby revised as follows, with the addition of Section 32B:

              Section 32B. Student surveys regarding personal or private issues; Requirements for parental notification and consent.

              No student in any public elementary or secondary school, without the prior written consent of the parent or guardian, shall be requested or required to submit to a survey, analysis, or evaluation concerning personal issues including, but not limited to: (1)emotional and psychological concerns or issues, whether concerning the student or his family (including mental health screenings); (2) sexual behavior and attitudes; (3)illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behaviors; (4) feelings of victimization; (5) suicide attempts or ideation, or self-abuse; (6) birth control or abortion; (7) critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondent has family relationships; (8) legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those with lawyers, physicians, therapists, and ministers; (9) political affiliations; or (10)income. This will apply to all such surveys whether from a state or federal agency, whether administered in a classroom setting, by a school counselor, a school nurse, or school based health center staff member. All such screenings, surveys, analyses, and evaluations shall be shall be made reasonably available with adequate advance notice to parents, guardians, educators, school administrators, and others for inspection and review prior to being administered.
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