1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 510 FILED ON: 1/13/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 420
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Patrick M. O'Connor
_________________
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 relative to supporting student participation in 4-H programs.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and Norfolk 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 510 FILED ON: 1/13/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 420
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 420) of Patrick M. O'Connor for
legislation relative to supporting student participation in 4-H programs. Education.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 4427 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act relative to supporting student participation in 4-H programs.
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 76 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
3 Section 22. (a) A student who participates in an activity or program sponsored by
4Massachusetts 4-H shall be credited as present, for a maximum of 5 school days, by the school in
5which the student is enrolled in the same manner as an educational field trip. A school committee
6shall not count a student absent, for a maximum of 5 school days, for participating in an activity
7or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H.
8 (b) Upon request from a school committee, a Massachusetts 4-H agent shall provide
9documentation as proof of a student's participation in an activity or program sponsored by
10Massachusetts 4-H. 2 of 2
11 (c) A school committee shall ensure that a student has the opportunity to make up any
12school work missed while the student was participating in an activity or program sponsored by
13Massachusetts 4-H. A school committee shall ensure that a student's class grades are not
14adversely affected for lack of attendance or participation due to the student's participation in an
15activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H.
16 (d) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a school committee shall not credit a student who
17participates in an activity or program sponsored by Massachusetts 4-H as present if the student's
18participation occurs during:
19 (1) The schedule established by the commissioner of education for the administration of
20the Massachusetts comprehensive assessment system tests; or
21 (2) Any period of time for which the student has been suspended or expelled, if the
22student's suspension or expulsion would otherwise preclude the student from participating in an
23educational field trip.
24 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect as of the 2025-2026 academic year.