Massachusetts HD 5821: A communication from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (see Section 1P of Chapter 69 of the General Laws) submitting the eleventh annual report of the Safe and Supportive Schools Commission [copies of said report were forwarded to the committee on Ways and Means, committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, committee on Education; and the committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, as required by said law]

Summary

This bill does not appear to be a bill—it is the eleventh annual report from Massachusetts' Safe and Supportive Schools Commission submitted to the Governor and Legislature as required by a 2014 law on gun violence reduction. The report provides recommendations for the state to continue funding safe and supportive schools initiatives and to strengthen schools' ability to deliver appropriate mental health, behavioral, and wellness services to students, staff, and families. The recommendations affect school districts, educational leaders, students, and their families across Massachusetts.

Bill Text

135 Santilli Hwy, Everett MA 02149   Voice: (781) 388-3000   TTY: 1-800-439-2370    www.doe.mass.edu  
 
Safe and Supportive Schools Commission –  
Eleventh Annual Report 
 
This report provides updates and recommendations related to safe and supportive 
schools. The report is submitted pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws (G.L.) 
Chapter 284 of the Acts of 2014, An Act Relative to the Reduction of Gun Violence. This 
Act was signed into law by the Governor on August 13, 2014 (House Bill 4376). 
Provisions within this Act relating to safe and supportive schools are codified through 
Chapter 69, Section 1P (G.L. c. 69, § 1P).  
May 2026 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE: This report was prepared with assistance from the Department of Elementary 
and Secondary Education (Department) staff. Please note that this report does not 
reflect the policy recommendations of the Department or the Executive Office of 
Education, though staff serve on the Commission and provide technical support to the 
Commission as well. 
 
  

 
 
 
 
 
This document was prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary 
Education 
Pedro Martinez, Commissioner 
 
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Members 
Ms. Katherine Craven, Chair, Brookline 
Mr. Matt Hills, Vice-Chair, Newton 
Ms. Isabella Chamberlain, Student Member, Hudson 
Dr. Ericka Fisher, Worcester 
Dr. Christina Grant, Cambridge 
Ms. Farzana Mohamed, Newton 
Ms. Dálida Rocha, Worcester 
Ms. Mary Ann Stewart, Lexington 
Dr. Stephen Zrike, Jr, Secretary of Education, Andover 
Dr. Martin West, Newton 
 
Pedro Martinez, Commissioner 
Secretary to the Board 
 
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, an affirmative action 
employer, is committed to ensuring that all of its programs and facilities are accessible to all 
members of the public. 
We do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, 
gender identity, or sexual orientation. 
 
Inquiries regarding the Department’s compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws may be 
directed to the Human Resources Director, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149. Phone: 
781-338-6105. 
 
© 2026 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 
Permission is hereby granted to copy any or all parts of this document for non-commercial 
educational purposes. Please credit the “Massachusetts Department of Elementary and 
Secondary Education.” 
 
This document printed on recycled paper 
 
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 
135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149 
Phone 781-338-3000  TTY: N.E.T. Relay 800-439-2370 
www.doe.mass.edu 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Table of Contents 
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 
Recommendations  ....................................................................................................... 3 
Commission Activities Undertaken in 2025 ..................................................................... 8 
Department Activities Related to G.L. c. 69, § 1P(f) ........................................................ 11 
APPENDIX A: Commission Members ............................................................................ 13 
APPENDIX B: Legislative Charge for the Commission ..................................................... 15 
APPENDIX C: Commission 2025 Meeting Topics ............................................................ 17 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
1 
 
Introduction 
 
The Safe and Supportive Schools Commission (Commission) respectfully submits this 
Report to the Governor and Legislature: Safe and Supportive Schools Commission 
Eleventh Annual Report. This report is part of the Commission’s responsibilities, 
pursuant to Chapter 284 of the Acts of 2014, An Act Relative to the Reduction of Gun 
Violence, which was signed into law by the Governor on August 13, 2014. Provisions 
within this Act relating to safe and supportive schools are codified as Massachusetts 
General Laws, Chapter 69, section 1P (G.L. c. 69, § 1P), the Safe and Supportive 
Schools Framework law.  
 
“...The commission shall prepare and submit an annual progress report 
concerning the commission’s activities with appropriate recommendations, 
together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry out such recommendations, 
if any, not later than December 31. The commission shall submit such annual 
report to the governor and the clerks of the senate and the house of 
representatives, who shall forward the same to the chairs of the joint committee 
on education, the chairs of the joint committee on mental health and substance 
abuse, the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities, and 
the house and senate committees on ways and means...”
1
  
 
This report presents recommendations to the Legislature informed by Commission 
discussions durin