HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3474        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Alice Hanlon Peisch

_________________

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 school absences.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3474        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

_______________

An Act relative to school absences.

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. Section 1 of chapter 76 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word "week." in line 30, the following words:-

Absences may also be permitted for students participating in national or international competition sanctioned by a U.S. national governing body as defined in 36 Unities States Code 2205, referred to as the Ted Stevens Act; provided, however, that students seeking approval shall maintain a B grade point average or equivalent in academic courses. The school principal shall have discretion over absences excused exceeding seven-day sessions or fourteen half day session in a period of six months.