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HD 1791

An Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 13 co-sponsors

Massachusetts public schools must phase out Native American mascots, logos, and names, with DESE/Commission oversight and loss of discretionary state grants for noncompliance.

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Bill Summary · HD 1791

Summary: HD 1791 — An Act Prohibiting the Use of Native American Mascots by Public Schools in the Commonwealth

Overview

HD 1791, titled “An Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth,” proposes a statewide process to identify and phase out Native American-themed team names, logos, and mascots used by public schools in Massachusetts. The bill would create a formal pathway through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Commission on Indian Affairs to catalog current names, require phased implementation, and prohibit the adoption of new Native American mascots. It includes enforcement through the potential loss of discretionary state education grants for noncompliant schools.

Key Provisions

Section 1 — Process, identification, and phase-out

  • Definitions: The “commission” refers to the Commission on Indian Affairs.
  • Listing requirement: DESE must create and submit to the commission a list of all public schools and their athletic team names, logos, and mascots. Within 3 months of receiving the list, the commission must identify schools whose names/logos/mascots refer to, represent, or are associated with Native Americans, including aspects of Native cultures or specific tribes.
  • Publication: The commission must provide the identified list to DESE and publish it on its website.
  • Restrictions on identified schools: Schools on the identified list may not purchase or refurbish uniforms or materials bearing the name/logo/mascot until they reach agreement with DESE under subsection (e).
  • Review and recommendations: Within 1 year after publication, the commission must review issues related to Native American team names and provide recommendations to DESE on: 1) policies to phase out or ban such mascots, 2) any specific schools/names/logos/mascots, and 3) ways to increase awareness and respect for Native heritage in schools. The department must also receive comments from tribal nation representatives designated by the commission or recognized by the U.S.
  • Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs): After receiving recommendations, DESE must develop MOUs with each identified school. The commission’s recommendations inform negotiations, and tribal representatives may provide comments. Within 6 months after negotiations begin, each identified school must sign an MOU with DESE concerning use of its name/logo/mascot, including an implementation timeline not to exceed 3 years for full implementation.
  • Enforceable consequence: Schools that fail to sign or comply with the MOU lose eligibility for discretionary state education grants.
  • Voluntary cessation: A school may inform the department at any time of a plan to stop or phase out Native American mascots.
  • Prohibition on new mascots: No public school may adopt a new Native American name/logo/mascot.
  • Regulation: DESE may promulgate regulations to implement the section.

Section 2 — Timeline for the list

  • The list required under subsection (a) of section 1 must be completed no later than 3 months after the act’s effective date.

Section 3 — Effective date

  • Subsection (h) (the prohibition on new Native American mascots) becomes effective upon passage of the act.

Who Is Affected

  • Public elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth (and their districts).
  • Departments: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Commission on Indian Affairs.
  • Tribal nation representatives (designated by the commission or recognized by the United States).
  • Students, staff, and communities associated with schools that currently use Native American mascots.
  • Schools’ access to discretionary state education grants (subject to compliance).

Implementation and Timeline

  • List creation and identification: within 3 months after list submission.
  • Public posting of the list: immediate after identification.
  • Review and recommendations by the commission: within 1 year.
  • MOUs with identified schools: begin after recommendations; bargained within 3–6 months of beginning negotiations; implementation deadline: up to 3 years.
  • Prohibition on new mascots: effective upon passage.
  • Compliance enforcement: loss of discretionary state education grants for noncompliant schools.

Notes

  • The bill frames a collaborative process among DESE, the Commission on Indian Affairs, tribal representatives, and individual schools.
  • The approach combines identification, negotiation, and phased phasing-out, with a clear financial consequence for noncompliance.

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

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