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H 552

An Act parental rights legislation

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David DeCoste

Gives local school committees and parents power to reject DESE guidance, shifting policy control from the state to local districts with retaliation protections.

Hearing scheduled for 11/12/2025 from 11:00 AM-05:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
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Bill Summary · H 552

Summary: An Act parental rights legislation (House Bill No. 552)

Overview

House Bill 552, titled “An Act parental rights legislation,” seeks to alter the balance of authority over school policy by empowering local public school jurisdictions and school committees to reject guidance and directives from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) either entirely or at the line-item level. The bill asserts that decisions about policy should be directed by local school committees and the citizens/parents who elect them, rather than state guidance.

Purpose and intent

  • Expand local control: The bill would shift or consolidate policy-making power from the state level (DESE) to local school committees.
  • Protect local decision-making: It emphasizes that school committees and local constituents should hold the primary authority to dictate policy and procedures in local districts.

Key provisions (as introduced)

  • Local rejection of DESE guidance: Local public school jurisdictions and school committees would have the right to reject any and all guidance and directives from DESE, either entirely or at the line-item level.
  • No reprisals: Rejection of DESE guidance would occur without fear of reprisals such as:
    • Licensure actions against faculty or administration
    • Criminal referrals of faculty, administration, or school committee members
    • Withholding of state funds
  • Authority to set policy: The bill states that the power to dictate all policy and procedure in local school jurisdictions lies with the school committee members and the citizens/parents who elect them.

Note: The text frames this as a defense of local parental rights and local control over educational policy.

Affected parties and potential impact

  • Local school committees and district leadership: Primary beneficiaries of enhanced authority to reject DESE guidance.
  • Teachers, administrators, and staff: Could face changes in guidance adoption and potential changes in policy implementation standards.
  • DESE and the Commonwealth: Potential reduction in uniform state guidance across districts; implications for enforcement and oversight.
  • Students and families: Educational policy and program decisions could vary more across districts, depending on local responses to DESE guidance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: Introduced February 27, 2025; referred to the Committee on Education.
  • Legislative actions: Senate concurred on February 27, 2025.
  • Related measures: Similar matter previously filed as House 457 (2023-24).
  • Hearing: Scheduled for November 12, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium.
  • Session context: The bill is part of the 194th General Court (2025-2026).

Related information

  • Version content reflects the core provision that allows local control over DESE guidance with explicit protections against retaliation.
  • The bill is labeled as “Parental rights legislation” but its primary operative provision concerns local authority over state guidance and policy direction.

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

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