SECTION 1. Chapter 76 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 22. (a) A student who participates in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H shall be credited as present by the school in which the student is enrolled in the same manner as an educational field trip. A school committee shall not count a student absent for participating in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H.

(b) Upon request from a school committee, a Massachusetts 4-H agent shall provide documentation as proof of a student's participation in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H.

(c) A school committee shall ensure that a student has the opportunity to make up any school work missed while the student was participating in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H. A school committee shall ensure that a student's class grades are not adversely affected for lack of attendance or participation due to the student's participation in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H.

(d) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a school committee shall not credit a student who participates in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H as present if the student's participation occurs during:

(1) The schedule established by the commissioner of education for the administration of the Massachusetts comprehensive assessment system tests; or

(2) Any period of time for which the student has been suspended or expelled, if the student's suspension or expulsion would otherwise preclude the student from participating in an educational field trip.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.