SENATE DOCKET, NO. 510        FILED ON: 1/13/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Patrick M. O'Connor

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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 supporting student participation in 4-H programs.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 510        FILED ON: 1/13/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 4427 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 supporting student participation in 4-H programs.

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 76 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-  

Section 22. (a) A student who participates in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H shall be credited as present, for a maximum of 5 school days, by the school in which the student is enrolled in the same manner as an educational field trip. A school committee shall not count a student absent, for a maximum of 5 school days, for participating in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H.  

(b) Upon request from a school committee, a Massachusetts 4-H agent shall provide documentation as proof of a student's participation in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H.  

(c) A school committee shall ensure that a student has the opportunity to make up any school work missed while the student was participating in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H. A school committee shall ensure that a student's class grades are not adversely affected for lack of attendance or participation due to the student's participation in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H.  

(d) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a school committee shall not credit a student who participates in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H as present if the student's participation occurs during:  

(1) The schedule established by the commissioner of education for the administration of the Massachusetts comprehensive assessment system tests; or  

(2) Any period of time for which the student has been suspended or expelled, if the student's suspension or expulsion would otherwise preclude the student from participating in an educational field trip.  

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect as of the 2025-2026 academic year.