SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1690        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 273

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Paul R. Feeney

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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 ensuring student representation, Aidan's Law.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1690        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 273

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act ensuring student representation, Aidan's Law.

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 amended by striking out section 38M and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 38M. School committees of cities, towns and regional school districts shall meet at least once every other month, during the months school is in session, with a student advisory committee to consist of five members to be composed of students elected by the student body of the high school or high schools in each city, town or regional school district.

The board of the trustees of a charter school, as defined in section 89, shall meet at least once every other month, during the months school is in session, with a student advisory committee to consist of five members to be composed of students elected by the student body of the charter school.

The members of such student advisory committees shall, by majority vote prior to the first day of June in each year elect from their number a chairperson who shall serve for a term of one year. Said chairperson shall be an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the school committee of the city, town or regional school district or as an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the board of the trustees of the charter school. Said ex-officio members shall have no right to attend executive sessions unless such right is expressly granted by the individual school committee or board of trustees. Said chairperson shall be subject to all school committee or board of trustee rules and regulations and shall serve without compensation.

A school committee of a city, town or regional school district or the board of trustees of a charter school may designate a student outreach coordinator for the purpose of ensuring the establishment of a student advisory committee and regularly informing the advisory committee of the school committee's or board of trustee’s agenda.