HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1747        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Paul McMurtry

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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 relative to neurodiversity education.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1747        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 535 OF 2023-2024.]

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:
 

SECTION 1. 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 Teachers Association. 

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.