Massachusetts S 442: Resolve establishing a special commission on special education funding

Bill Text

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2173        FILED ON: 1/17/2025 
SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 442 
 
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
_________________ 
PRESENTED BY: 
Rebecca L. Rausch 
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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 
resolve: 
Resolve establishing a special commission on special education funding. 
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PETITION OF: 
 
NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS: 
Rebecca L. Rausch Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex 

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2173        FILED ON: 1/17/2025 
SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 442 
By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 442) of Rebecca L. Rausch for 
legislation to establish a special commission on special education funding.  Education. 
 
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
 
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court 
(2025-2026) 
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Resolve establishing a special commission on special education funding. 
 
1 Resolved, (a) There shall be a special legislative commission to investigate and study 
2state funding of special education services in the commonwealth. The commission shall examine 
3the chapter 70 funding formula and the special education circuit breaker program and investigate 
4how to improve state funding of special education services. 
5 (b) The commission shall consist of the following members: the secretary of education or 
6his designee, who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of the department of elementary and 
7secondary education, or his designee; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on 
8education, or their respective designees; 1 member appointed by the president of the senate, who 
9shall be an advocate for individuals with disabilities; 1 member appointed by the speaker of the 
10house, who shall have expertise in transportation of students with disabilities; 1 member  
11appointed by the senate minority leader; 1 member appointed by the house minority leader; the 
12president of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Federation of Teachers; the executive 
13director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents; the executive director of 
14the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; the executive director of the 

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15Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education schools; and up to 3 additional 
16individuals appointed by the chair.  
17 (c) All appointments shall be made not later than 90 days after the effective date of this 
18act.  
19 (d) The commission shall make recommendations for: (i) changes to the chapter 70 
20calculation of foundation aid to accommodate increases in inflation and costs; (ii) changes to the 
21chapter 70 required local contribution calculation; (iii) raising the threshold for or removing the 
22cap on local contributions under chapter 70; (iv) reforming the penalty for localities deemed 
23below effort in their contributions; (v) improving the special education circuit breaker program 
24to better supplement local funding; and (vi) other matters related to special education funding 
25subject to the discretion of the commission.   
26 (e) Not later than March 6, 2026, the commission shall submit its report and 
27recommendations for proposed legislation to the senate and house committees on ways and 
28means, the chairs of the joint committee on education, and the clerks of the house and senate. 
29The department of elementary and secondary education shall publish the report on its website.