HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5285

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, March 23, 2026.

 The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 646) of Paul McMurtry relative to neurodiversity education, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No. 5285) ought to pass.

For the committee,

KENNETH I. GORDON.

        FILED ON: 3/18/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5285

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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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:
 

 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 American Federation of Teachers.

 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.