Massachusetts HD 131: An Act decriminalizing non-violent and verbal student misconduct

Bill Text

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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 131 FILED ON: 1/6/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2048

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Bud L. Williams
_________________
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 decriminalizing non-violent and verbal student misconduct.
_______________
PETITION OF:

NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS: DATE ADDED:
Bud L. Williams 11th Hampden 1/6/2025

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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 131 FILED ON: 1/6/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2048
By Representative Williams of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2048) of
Bud L. Williams relative to decriminalizing non-violent and verbal student misconduct. The
Judiciary.

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1817 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

An Act decriminalizing non-violent and verbal student misconduct.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:

1 SECTION 1. Chapter 272 of the General Laws is amended by striking out section 40, as
2 appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:
3 Section 40. Disturbance of assemblies.
4 Whoever wilfully interrupts or disturbs an assembly of people met for a lawful purpose
5 shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one month or by a fine of not more than
6 fifty dollars; provided, however, that K-12 students shall not be charged, adjudicated, or
7 convicted for alleged violation of this provision due to conduct within school buildings or
8 grounds or in the course of school-related events. Whoever, within one year after being twice
9 convicted of a violation of this section, again violates the provisions of this section shall be

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10 punished by imprisonment for one month, and the sentence imposing such imprisonment shall
11 not be suspended.
12 SECTION 2. Chapter 272 is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (b) of
13 section 53, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following
14 subsection:
15 (b) Disorderly persons and disturbers of the peace, for the first offense, shall be punished
16 by a fine of not more than $150. On a second or subsequent offense, such person shall be
17 punished by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than 6 months, or by a
18 fine of not more than $200, or by both such fine and imprisonment, provided, however, that an
19 elementary or secondary school student shall not be charged, adjudicated, or convicted for
20 alleged violation of this provision due to conduct within school buildings or grounds or in the
21 course of school-related events.