HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2323        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 535

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Paul McMurtry

_________________

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 relative to neurodiversity education.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Paul McMurtry

11th Norfolk

1/19/2023

Kathleen R. LaNatra

12th Plymouth

1/26/2023

Priscila S. Sousa

6th Middlesex

2/14/2023

Kay Khan

11th Middlesex

3/28/2023


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2323        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 535

By Representative McMurtry of Dedham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 535) of Paul McMurtry, Kathleen R. LaNatra and Priscila S. Sousa relative to neurodiversity education.  Education.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act relative to neurodiversity education.

 

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 71 of the Acts of 2021 are hereby amended by adding the following section after section 98. 

Section 99. (a) the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with the Department of Early Education and Care, shall, subject to appropriation, issue guidelines to assist districts in developing k-12 education on neurodiversity. 

(b) There is hereby established a commission to study and make recommendations on neurodiversity education in early childhood, elementary, and secondary public school education. The commission shall consist of 9 members; the secretary of health and human services, or a designee, who shall serve as chair; 1 member of the house of representatives, to be appointed by the speaker of the house; 1 member of the Senate, to be appointed by the president of the senate; 3 members to be appointed by the governor, 2 of whom shall be neurodiverse adults, 1 of whom shall be a representative from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 1 of whom shall be a representative from the Department of Early Education and Care, and a representative of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. 

The commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, including any recommendations for legislation or regulations, within 4 months of the effective date of this act.