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H 732

An Act relative to high school professional development programs

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steve Ultrino

Establishes state standards for high school professional development programs and provides one excused day per school year for supervised PD participation.

Hearing scheduled for 09/16/2025 from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
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Bill Summary · H 732

Summary of H.732 – An Act relative to high school professional development programs

Overview

H.732, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Steven Ultrino, seeks to establish state standards for high school professional development (PD) programs and to provide an annual excused absence for high school students to participate in supervised PD activities. The bill is currently moving through the Education committee, with a hearing scheduled for September 16, 2025 in Gardner Auditorium.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a unified framework of program standards for high school PD programs to ensure rigorous, ongoing professional development for students.
  • Formalize supports and access to PD, including remote and in-person participation, and foster connections between students and external organizations.

Key provisions

Section 1U – Establishment of high school PD program standards (Chapter 69)

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) would establish standards for a high school PD program, including:
1. Qualifications for professional development instructors
2. Training for PD instructors to identify individual student PD needs
3. Different models of PD to meet diverse student population needs
4. Student access to PD programs remotely or in person
5. A comprehensive feedback system to plan, evaluate, and improve PD offerings
6. Opportunities for students to develop professional relationships with external organizations and individuals outside their school

DESE would approve any high school PD program established by a school district that meets these standards.

Section 2 – Excused absence for supervised PD day (Chapter 76)

In addition to other excused absences, the superintendent (or teachers as authorized by the superintendent or school committee) would be required to excuse one absence per school year for a supervised high school PD day.

Who would be affected

  • High school students who participate in PD programs
  • School districts and school committees
  • Superintendents and participating teachers
  • The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which would develop and approve program standards

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Referred to: House Committee on Education
  • Legislative actions noted: Senate concurred (date shown in record), with a hearing scheduled for September 16, 2025
  • Hearing: September 16, 2025, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, Gardner Auditorium
  • Version/structure: The bill is identified as House Docket No. 1435 (H.732). Related notation indicates HD 1435 (replaces) in related materials.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Districts would need to align PD programs with DESE standards, potentially shaping PD instructor qualifications, program models, and partnerships with external entities.
  • Schools would need to incorporate a supervised PD day into calendars, affecting scheduling and resources.
  • Enhanced student access to PD (including remote options) and a formal feedback loop could improve program quality and outcomes.
  • No explicit fiscal impact is stated in the available text; implementation costs (training, staffing, partnerships) would be considerations for districts and the state.

Related information

  • Related bill reference: HD 1435 (replaces)
  • Status: Hearing scheduled; bill introduced in the 2025-2026 session; referred to Education.

This summary covers the bill’s core purposes, provisions, who is affected, and the key procedural milestones currently on the record.

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

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