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H 602

An Act concerning athletic activities of students with disabilities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kevin Honan

Requires districts to ensure equal access to mainstream physical education and athletics for students with disabilities, plus adapted/unified programs and needed supports.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 602

Summary: H.602 — An Act concerning athletic activities of students with disabilities

Overview

H.602, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Kevin G. Honan, would amend Chapter 71 of the General Laws to strengthen and formalize access for students with disabilities to mainstream physical education and athletics, while also creating and supporting adapted and unified/inclusive programming. The bill is currently reported favorably by a committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. A hearing was scheduled for May 6, 2025, with subsequent actions noted in the legislative record.

Purpose and intent

  • Ensure students with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in mainstream physical education and to try out for and participate in mainstream athletic programs.
  • Mandate reasonable modifications, aids, or services to facilitate full participation.
  • Require districts to offer adapted programs or unified/inclusive athletic programs in addition to mainstream offerings.
  • Promote inclusive sport development through district-level programming and interscholastic programs overseen by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) in collaboration with disability-focused organizations.

Key provisions and changes

Section 95 (inserted into Chapter 71)

  • Definitions:
    • Adapted program: a program developed for a student with a disability.
    • Mainstream athletic program: intramural or interscholastic activities offered by the district.
    • Mainstream physical education program: the district's PE program.
    • Student with a disability: defined via the federal standard (handicapped person as per 45 C.F.R. §84.3 (j)).
    • Unified sports / inclusive program: a program designed to combine students with and without disabilities.
  • District obligations (subsection b):
    • Ensure equal opportunity to participate in mainstream PE and try out for/participate in mainstream athletic programs.
    • Provide reasonable modifications, aids, or services necessary for equal participation to the fullest extent possible.
    • Ensure availability of adapted programs or unified/inclusive programs.
  • Exceptions (subsection c):
    • An inclusion may be limited if it creates an objective safety risk based on an individualized assessment, or if inclusion would fundamentally alter the nature of the program.
  • Program design and scheduling (subsection d):
    • Districts must offer unified/inclusive programs in various formats, including during or after school hours, through:
    • Existing PE class activities
    • Existing classroom physical activity
    • School intramural opportunities
    • District-sponsored club or interscholastic programs
  • Inter-scholastic oversight (subsection e):
    • MIAA, with input from Special Olympics Massachusetts, Adapted Sports New England, and other adapted-sports groups, may establish interscholastic programs for student-athletes with disabilities participating in unified/inclusive district programs.
    • MIAA may require coaches of unified/inclusive programs to receive program-specific training.

Effective date

  • The act would take effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Students with disabilities in Massachusetts public schools.
  • School districts and their physical education and athletic departments.
  • Coaches and staff involved in PE and athletics.
  • Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and disability-focused advocacy and sports organizations (e.g., Special Olympics Massachusetts, Adapted Sports New England).
  • Families and advocates supporting inclusive education and athletics.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to the committee on Education (02/27/2025).
  • Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Ways and Means (August 7, 2025).
  • Hearing scheduled: April 22, 2025 (for the May 6, 2025, session).
  • Related action: Similar matter previously filed as House No. 499 in the 2023-2024 session.

Related bills

  • Similar matter filed previously as House Bill 499 (2023-2024).
  • House Docket No. 3709 corresponds to HB 602 for the current session.

Potential impact

  • Strengthened statutory framework for inclusive participation in PE and mainstream athletics.
  • Increased availability of adapted and unified/inclusive programs across districts.
  • Potential safety considerations and need for individualized assessments when excluding participation.
  • Administrative work for districts to implement modifications, training, and unified program offerings.
  • Coordination with MIAA and disability organizations to establish eligible interscholastic programs and coaching training.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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