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H 4011

An Act eliminating predatory transportation pricing of school districts

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 3 co-sponsors

The bill creates a pricing cap and a School Transportation Commission to ensure fair, transparent, and accountable private transportation contracts for special education, out-of-di

Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
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Bill Summary · H 4011

Summary: H 4011, An Act eliminating predatory transportation pricing of school districts

Purpose and intent

  • Establish fair, transparent pricing and oversight for contracts with private transportation providers servicing students with special education needs, out-of-district placements, and students in districts receiving McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act funds.
  • Create a School Transportation Commission to promote fairness, equity, and cost transparency in public school transportation for these student groups.
  • Address concerns about “predatory” pricing by standardizing how contracts are priced and reviewed.

Key provisions

  • Pricing structure and price cap

    • The department must establish a pricing structure, including a daily price cap, for contracts between private transportation companies and school committees.
    • Applicable to: (a) students receiving special education, (b) out-of-district students, and (c) students in districts funded under McKinney-Vento.
    • Pricing to be based on factors such as (i) number of students transported daily, (ii) miles traveled, and (iii) a schedule of rates and wages provided by the Department of Labor and Industries (if a schedule is furnished to a school committee).

  • School Transportation Commission

    • A 15-member commission within the department to promote fairness, equity, and cost transparency.
    • Composition: 4 members from the department; 5 members appointed by the commissioner from school committees; 3 members representing transportation providers appointed by the governor; 3 members from advocacy groups focused on foster care and homelessness.
    • Responsibilities include promulgating regulations (per Chapter 30A) on:
    • Guidance for foster care, homelessness, and migrant students.
    • A system to ensure compliance with the pricing structure and cap.

  • Compliance, review, and oversight

    • Annually, by September 30, the commission must review contract compliance.
    • Contracts exceeding a financial threshold (set by the commission) require direct review and approval; other contracts undergo compliance audits and reporting as determined by the commission.
    • The commission will assess the pricing structure’s impact on educational experience and outcomes for affected students (special education, homeless, foster care) and the department must use findings to adjust pricing structure, policies, and guidelines.

Affected parties

  • Students: All pupils in special education, out-of-district placements, and those in districts receiving McKinney-Vento funds.
  • School districts and committees: Subject to the new pricing structure and potential direct review for larger contracts.
  • Private transportation providers: Subject to the price cap and compliance oversight.
  • Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Family and Community Engagement (via the commission’s roles).

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Referred to: Education (April 10, 2025).
  • Senate concurrence: April 14, 2025.
  • Hearing: Scheduled for June 3, 2025 (01:00 PM–05:00 PM in B-2).
  • Status update: Reporting date extended to December 17, 2025.
  • Related/replace: HD 328 is noted as related/replaced by this bill.

Additional context

  • The bill amends Section 7A of Chapter 71 of the General Laws (as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition) to include these provisions.
  • Overall goal: reduce financial inefficiencies and ensure equitable access to transportation services for vulnerable student populations while improving accountability and transparency in school transportation contracts.

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

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