H647
An Act relative to school start times for middle and high school students
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill seeks to establish later start times for middle and high school students in Massachusetts. It proposes a gradual shift in the school day, aiming to align start times with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding adolescent sleep patterns. The bill would require school districts to develop and implement plans for adjusting school schedules to prioritize student health and academic performance. It intends to improve student well-being and potentially enhance educational outcomes.
Key provisions
- Requires school districts to develop plans for later school start times.
- Recommends start times no earlier than 8:30 a.m. for high schools and 9:00 a.m. for middle schools.
- Directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide guidance and support to districts.
- Allows for local flexibility in implementing the changes, considering unique district needs.
- Requires districts to assess the impact of later start times on student schedules and transportation.
- Establishes a timeline for districts to implement the changes.
- Encourages collaboration between schools, parents, and community stakeholders.
Who is affected
- Middle school students
- High school students
- School districts in Massachusetts
- Parents of students
- Educators
Notable changes
- Shifts school start times later to align with adolescent sleep needs.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Marcus S. Vaughn
Arguments in favor
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Bill H.647 194th (Current)
An Act relative to school start times for middle and high school students
By Representative McMurtry of Dedham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 647) of Paul McMurtry relative to school start times for middle and high school students. Education.
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Presenter: Paul McMurtry Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Education
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Bill History Petitioners
Bill History
Displaying 3 actions for Bill H.647
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Education |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 6/6/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2 |
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An Act relative to school start times for middle and high school students
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