An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Barre

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gina Galfetti and 1 co-sponsor

Caps annual private special education tuition increases to 2.5% for municipalities, with March 1 notice and state funding sought for that cap amount.

House message: Governor approved bill on June 2, 2025

Summary — H 505: "An Act providing state support for municipal private special education costs"

Status: Enacted (signed by the Governor on June 2, 2025; delivered to Governor May 27, 2025)

Note on source records: The bill text and petition identify Rep. James C. Arena‑DeRosa as the filer and the measure’s subject as state support for private special education costs. Some legislative records also list other sponsors (Gina Galfetti, Francis McFaun). The version enacted amends two statutory sections described below.

Purpose / Intent

The bill aims to limit sudden year‑to‑year increases in the amounts that the state bureau charges municipalities for tuition at approved private special education programs and to require timely advance notice of proposed cost increases. Where costs rise beyond the legislative cap, the bill directs the state to seek supplemental funding to cover the excess.

Key provisions

Amends Section 22N of Chapter 7 (adds paragraph):

The Bureau of Purchased Services and the Unit for Special Education Pricing shall not pass on to a local city, town, municipality, or school district more than a 2.5% increase in the current tuition rate for an approved private special education program in a single year.
If costs increase by up to 2.5%, the bureau shall request supplemental funding for that 2.5% increase under Article CXXI of the Massachusetts Constitution.

Amends Section 5 of Chapter 71B (adds paragraph):

The Bureau/Unit must submit proposed increases in costs for approved private special education programs to each affected city, town, municipality, or school district by March 1 each year to aid budget preparation.
Any proposed increases submitted after March 1 shall not take effect until July 1 of the following fiscal year.

Who is affected

Municipalities and school districts that pay tuition for students placed in approved private special education programs (Chapter 71B placements).

The Executive Branch entities responsible for pricing and billing (Bureau of Purchased Services; Unit for Special Education Pricing).

State budget/treasury (may need to provide supplemental funding).

Private special education program providers (timing and magnitude of rate increases may be constrained/delayed).

Practical impact

Increases local budget predictability by capping annual pass‑through tuition increases at 2.5% and requiring March 1 notice.

Shifts potential additional cost responsibility to the state budget process (bureau must request supplemental funding for the capped amount).

May delay implementation of late cost increases until the next fiscal year (effective July 1).

Could create fiscal pressure on state finances if private tuition growth routinely exceeds the 2.5% cap.

Timeline / Procedure

Filed/introduced in early 2025 (docketed Jan 15, 2025; referred Feb 27, 2025).

Passed both chambers; delivered to Governor May 27, 2025.

Signed into law June 2, 2025. (No separate effective date is specified in the text; typically such statutes take effect upon signature unless otherwise provided.)