SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a Vocational Admissions Task Force to examine and make recommendations on (1) Chapter 74 admissions policies, (2) the collection, dissemination, and analysis of district-level and statewide data on Chapter 74 admissions and waitlists, and (3) the standard for review and enforcement of said policies and data.

SECTION 2. The task force shall consist of 15 members: the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on education, or their designees, who shall serve as the co-chairs of the task force; the task force shall also consist of the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on labor and workforce development, a member of the general court appointed by the senate minority leader; a member of the general court appointed by the house minority leader; the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, or a designee, 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA), 1 member appointed by the Alliance for Vocational Technical Education (AVTE), 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Career & Technical Educators Organization (MassCTE), 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC), 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS), 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS), 1 member of the Gateway Cities Legislative Caucus, and 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA). 

SECTION 3. The first meeting of the task force shall take place within 60 days of the effective date of this act. The task force shall conduct at least one public hearing to receive testimony from members of the public. The task force shall file a report containing its findings and recommendations, including legislative recommendations, if any, with the clerks of the house and senate not later than 12 months following the first meeting of the task force. The Department of Elementary Education shall not promulgate or otherwise amend its regulations relative to Chapter 74 admissions prior to the completion of the task force’s report, nor shall the Department take any other action prior to the completion of the task force’s report that would otherwise alter, amend, or affect the admissions policies of Chapter 74 schools and programs for the 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 admission cycles or school years. Any regulatory, policy, or enforcement action taken by the Department relative to Chapter 74 admissions policies between March 12, 2025 and the release of the task force report shall be deemed to be in violation of this Section.

SECTION 4. This act shall be effective upon passage.