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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1544 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 717
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Joshua Tarsky
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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 establishing a special commission on special education funding.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Joshua Tarsky13th Norfolk1/15/2025Rebecca L. RauschNorfolk, Worcester and Middlesex2/11/2025Colleen M. Garry36th Middlesex2/27/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1544 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 717
By Representative Tarsky of Needham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 717) of
Joshua Tarsky, Rebecca L. Rausch and Colleen M. Garry for an investigation by a special
commission (including members of the General Court) relative to state funding of special
education service. Education.
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 establishing a special commission on special education funding.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 (a) There shall be a special legislative commission to investigate and study state funding
2of special education services in the commonwealth. The commission shall examine the chapter
370 funding formula and the special education circuit breaker program and investigate how to
4improve 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 2 of 2
13director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents; the executive director of
14the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; the executive director of the
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.