HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3366        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2883

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

David T. Vieira

_________________

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 adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act regarding parental consent.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

David T. Vieira

3rd Barnstable

1/20/2017

Susan Williams Gifford

2nd Plymouth

 

James J. Lyons, Jr.

18th Essex

 

William L. Crocker, Jr.

2nd Barnstable

 

Shawn Dooley

9th Norfolk

 

Kevin J. Kuros

8th Worcester

 

Keiko M. Orrall

12th Bristol

 

Geoff Diehl

7th Plymouth

 

David F. DeCoste

5th Plymouth

 

Elizabeth A. Poirier

14th Bristol

 

Peter J. Durant

6th Worcester

 

Marc T. Lombardo

22nd Middlesex

 

Colleen M. Garry

36th Middlesex

 


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3366        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2883

By Mr. Vieira of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2883) of David T. Vieira and others relative to parental consent for out-of-school-district referrals, information, and materials.  Education.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

_______________

 

An Act regarding parental consent.

 

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 the following sections:

Section 32B. Parental consent for out-of-school-district referrals, information, and materials

No student in any public elementary or secondary school, without the prior written consent of the parent or guardian, shall be referred to, or provided the contact information, business card, brochure, or other informational materials of, an individual, organization, or entity not employed by or under the direct control of the school district to which that student belongs , if such individual, organization, entity, or material involves information or counseling about health, psychological problems, reproduction, abortion, sexual education, sexual orientation, gender identity, bullying, or similar issues.

Section 32C. Parental consent for student surveys regarding personal or private issues

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 made reasonably available with adequate advance notice to parents, guardians, educators, school administrators, and others for inspection and review prior to being administered.