HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3723        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

James Arciero

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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 ensure equitable representation of required parent advisory councils to school committees.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3723        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

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

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 425 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 to ensure equitable representation of required parent advisory councils to school committees.

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         Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, each school district in Massachusetts, being required by Massachusetts Law, following the criteria specifically outlined in and Chapter 71A and regulation 603  CMR 14.09 (1-5), and Chapter 71B, and regulations 603 CMR 28.07(4) and 603 CMR 28.03 (1)(a)(4), respectively, to support English Language Learner Parent Advisory Councils and Special Education Parent Advisory Councils, shall provide an ex-officio, nonvoting seat on the school committee to representatives from the school district’s ELLPAC and SEPAC, without the right to attend executive sessions unless such right is expressly granted by the district's school committee.

The ELLPAC and SEPAC shall elect one representative each from their membership annually, and in accordance with their bylaws, and shall notify the school committee of their selection within 30 days of election. Said ELLPAC and SEPAC representatives shall be subject to all school committee rules and regulations and shall serve without compensation.