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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 361 FILED ON: 1/12/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 418
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Patrick M. O'Connor
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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 to improve augmentative and alternative communication opportunities for children with
disabilities.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and NorfolkJohn J. Marsi6th Worcester2/13/2025Hannah Kane11th Worcester2/14/2025Ryan C. FattmanWorcester and Hampden2/18/2025Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester2/18/2025Kimberly N. Ferguson1st Worcester2/20/2025Thomas M. Stanley9th Middlesex2/20/2025Jason M. LewisFifth Middlesex2/20/2025John F. KeenanNorfolk and Plymouth2/28/2025 1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 361 FILED ON: 1/12/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 418
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 418) of Patrick M. O'Connor,
John J. Marsi, Hannah Kane, Ryan C. Fattman and other members of the General Court for
legislation to improve augmentative and alternative communication opportunities for children
with disabilities. Education.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 326 OF 2023-2024.]
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 to improve augmentative and alternative communication opportunities for children with
disabilities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the board
2of elementary and secondary education shall repromulgate 603 CMR 7.03(3) as necessary to
3establish the requirement that all approved programs for teachers include instruction on the
4appropriate use of augmentative and alternative communication and other assistive technologies;
5provided further the board may require that individual professional development plans required
6by section 38G of chapter 71 address the learning needs of students who are nonverbal or have
7limited speech requiring augmentative and alternative communication.