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HD 5402

An Act relative to a student safety education course in schools

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rich Haggerty

Requires all K–12 schools in MA to provide a mandated student safety education course taught with public safety partners, starting September each year.

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Bill Summary · HD 5402

Summary: HD 5402 — An Act relative to a student safety education course in schools

Overview

  • Bill number: HD 5402
  • Title: An Act relative to a student safety education course in schools
  • Sponsor: Richard M. Haggerty (40th Middlesex)
  • Introduced: December 6, 2025; Filed: December 5, 2025
  • Status: Not specified in the provided text
  • Jurisdiction: Commonwealth of Massachusetts; applies to all K–12 schools in the Commonwealth (private, public, vocational, charter)

Purpose and intent

The bill would establish a mandatory student safety education course for kindergarten through 12th grade and integrate it into the state’s standards framework. It directs private schools and school districts to provide instruction on student safety, with professional support from trained local public safety professionals. The aim is to prepare students to recognize and respond to common dangers and emergencies, and to promote school safety practices.

Key provisions

Section 1 — Legislative amendments to chapter 69, section 1I

  • Reorganizes the items listed in section 1I to explicitly include:
    • Nutrition and wellness programs
    • Genocide education programs
    • Student safety education course
  • This places the student safety education course alongside other state-supported education programs.

Section 2 — Annual reporting requirement

  • Beginning annually, by December 31, the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with school districts, must report on the progress of the student safety education course across private, public, vocational, and charter schools (K–12).
  • The report must include:
    • How the course is offered (hours of instruction)
    • Grade levels at which instruction occurs
    • The course title and description into which the instruction is integrated
  • The report must be submitted to the chairs of the Joint Committee on Education and the clerks of the House and Senate.

Section 3 — New Section 40: Requirements for instruction

  • Private schools and school districts must provide instruction on student safety education consistent with the content standards framework adopted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
  • Implementation can involve partnerships with trained local public safety professionals (e.g., police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, or other first responders) to deliver the course.
  • Scheduling: The course shall be taught in September of each school year.
  • Content requirements: The course must include at least a 1-hour safety demonstration video presented by appropriate public safety professionals. Video topics include:
    • Pedestrian and cycling safety
    • How to report emergencies
    • Preventing child abductions by strangers
    • Saying no to drugs
    • Handling bullying
    • What to do if encountering a firearm
    • Fire prevention and basic extinguishing methods
    • Handling family medical emergencies
    • Assisting others or themselves in choking situations
    • Basic emergency first aid procedures
  • Department of Education responsibilities:
    • Facilitate access to high-quality course materials
    • Provide professional development training for educators and public safety professionals
    • Offer trainings, seminars, conferences, and materials (in-person or via synchronous/asynchronous formats)
  • Regulation: The department will promulgate rules and regulations to implement the student safety education course.

Who is affected

  • Students: All K–12 students in MA (across public, private, vocational, and charter schools) will receive the mandated safety education.
  • Schools: Private schools and school districts must implement the course.
  • Educators and public safety professionals: Will receive training and access to course materials and professional development.
  • DESE and state authorities: Responsible for standards, materials, training, and rulemaking; and for annual progress reporting.

Practical considerations and timeline

  • Implementation would align with September start each school year.
  • A minimum of 1 hour of instructional content is required, plus an instructional video.
  • Annual reporting to legislative committees is required by December 31 each year.
  • The bill envisions collaboration with local police, fire, and emergency medical services to deliver or support the curriculum.
  • Regulatory framework would be developed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Note: The text provided does not include an official status update, so the bill’s current legislative progress is not indicated here.

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

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