FILED ON: 3/8/2012

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4031

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Twelve

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An Act relative to school attendance.

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

Section 1B of chapter 69 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 official edition, is hereby amended by striking lines 110 to 113, inclusive, and inserting in its place thereof the following paragraph:-

The board shall promulgate regulations establishing the permissible and mandatory ages for school attendance provided that each child shall be required to attend an approved kindergarten program in a public or private setting or in a community-based program licensed by the department of early education and care.  Said regulations shall include mandatory attendance guidelines necessary for kindergarten completion.  Said regulations shall include a process for school districts or Commonwealth charter schools to provide exemptions for advanced students to attend school beginning in first grade.