HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2054        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 718

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Joshua Tarsky

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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 to reduce out-of-school suspensions.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2054        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 718

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 to reduce out-of-school suspensions.

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

Section 37H¾ of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(g)(1) For the purposes of this subsection, the term “in-school suspension” shall mean the removal of a student from regular classroom activities, but not from the school premises, for no more than 10 consecutive school days, or no more than 10 school days cumulatively for multiple infractions during the school year.

(2) Schools shall offer, where appropriate, an option for in-school suspension. A student serving an in-school suspension shall have the opportunity to earn credits, as applicable, and make up assignments, tests, papers and other school work as needed to make academic progress during the period of their removal from the classroom or school. In-school suspensions shall be monitored by: (i) at least 1 person who holds a standard educator certificate or a provisional educator certificate, pursuant to section 38G, and has experience teaching subject matter involving science or mathematics; and (ii) at least 1 person who holds a standard educator certificate or a provisional educator certificate, pursuant to said section 38G, and has experience teaching subject matter involving the humanities or social sciences; provided, that 1 person may satisfy the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii).

(3) The department shall provide funding or staff to any school that demonstrates an insufficient funding or staffing level for the maintenance of an in-school suspension program, as determined by the department.