Amendment #1222 to H5500

School Advocacy Legal Clinic Pilot for Educational Equity in the Merrimack Valley

Mr. Paulino of Methuen moves to amend the bill in section 2, in item 7010-0005, by adding the following words: - "provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to establish a pilot School Advocacy Legal Clinic serving the Merrimack Valley, including the cities of Lawrence and Methuen, to provide no-cost legal advocacy and representation to low-income families of students with disabilities, autism, and behavioral health needs; provided further, that such clinic shall be administered by a qualified law school, nonprofit organization, or similar entity with demonstrated experience in legal advocacy and clinical training, in collaboration with community-based organizations and stakeholders; provided further, that the clinic shall support the enforcement of individualized education programs, assist families in navigating special education processes, and provide representation in meetings, mediations, administrative proceedings, and school discipline matters; provided further, that funds shall be used for clinical supervision, student training, bilingual intake and outreach, translation and interpretation services, case management, and the development of community education resources; and provided further, that a report detailing the number of families served, types of services provided, and measurable outcomes, including improvements in access to services and compliance with individualized education programs, shall be submitted not later than March 1, 2027."

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #1222 to H5500

School Advocacy Legal Clinic Pilot for Educational Equity in the Merrimack Valley