HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1905        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 681

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Estela A. Reyes

_________________

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 combating violence in schools.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Estela A. Reyes

4th Essex

1/15/2025


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1905        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 681

By Representative Reyes of Lawrence, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 681) of Estela A. Reyes that school councils provide packets and trainings for managing children's wellbeing at home.  Education.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act relative to combating violence in schools.

 

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, as most recently amended by section 219 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-

Section 102. (a) School councils established in section 59C shall hold meetings for parents and guardians of students in grades K through 12 to discuss their child’s well-being. The timeframe of the meetings shall include, but not be limited to: (i) 1 meeting within the first 12 weeks of the school year and (ii) 1 meeting within the first 8 weeks after the new year break of the school year.

(b) School councils shall provide a packet with information for parents and guardians at the meetings on how to manage their child’s wellbeing at home including, but not limited to, information on: (i) spotting depression or aggressive thoughts by a student; and (ii) ways to combat future violence by students. Students shall be provided with a packet to be brought home for parents and guardians during both meeting timeframes in subsection (a).

(c) School councils shall hold in-person trainings for parents and guardians at the meetings on how to manage their child's wellbeing at home.

(d) The department of elementary and secondary education shall assist school councils with preparing and making available the packet and in-person training for parents or guardians on how to manage their child's wellbeing at home.