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HD 3235

An Act relative to providing health education in schools

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Marjorie Decker

Establishes comprehensive, standards-based health education as a core K-12 subject in MA, with parental opt-out for sexuality content and funding for implementation by 2027.

Senate concurred
0
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Bill Summary · HD 3235

Summary: House Bill HD 3235 – An Act relative to providing health education in schools

Overview

HD 3235 proposes to make health education a formal, standards-based component of the Massachusetts public school curriculum. The bill requires age-appropriate, medically accurate health education instruction and directs districts to use the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework as a guiding resource. It also adds parental notification and opt-out provisions for certain sexuality-related content and includes funding considerations to support implementation.

Key Provisions

  • Addition to required subjects: Adds "health education" to the list of core subjects in the General Laws (Section 1D), alongside languages.
  • Standards for health education: Establishes minimum standards that health education must meet, including topics such as:
    • Growth and physical development; physical activity and fitness
    • Nutrition; reproduction and sexuality
    • Mental health; family life; interpersonal relationships
    • Disease prevention and control; safety and injury prevention
    • Tobacco, alcohol, and other substance use and abuse prevention
    • Consumer health and resource management; ecological health; community and public health
    • Standards must be age-appropriate and medically accurate.
  • Curriculum framework guidance: The Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework remains a guide for districts in selecting curriculum materials (consistent with Section 1D and thereafter).
  • Terminology update: Replaces references to “nutrition and wellness” with “health education” in the curriculum framework.
  • Parental notification and opt-out (sex education): For districts implementing or maintaining curricula primarily involving human sexuality issues, districts must adopt a policy requiring parental/guardian notification and allowing written exemptions for students. Exempted students must not be penalized, and materials should be reasonably accessible for review by parents and educators.
  • No MCAS requirement: Health education would not require an MCAS exam.
  • Funding considerations: Requires re-evaluation of the foundation budget in three categories—classroom and specialist teachers, instructional equipment, and professional development—to ensure adequate funding for the health education envisioned.
  • Effective date: July 1, 2027.

Affected Parties

  • Students across K-12 in Massachusetts public schools
  • Teachers and health/education specialists
  • School districts (local and regional)
  • Parents/guardians (notified about sexuality-related content; option to opt out)
  • School administrators and DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective date: July 1, 2027
  • Standards and framework alignment would guide district curriculum development leading up to implementation
  • Parental notification/opt-out provisions apply to districts with human sexuality-focused instruction

Legislative Status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Referred to the Education Committee (2025-02-27)
  • Senate concurred (February 27, 2025)

Summary

HD 3235 seeks to establish comprehensive, standards-based health education as a core component of Massachusetts school curricula, ensure transparency and parental involvement in sexuality-related instruction, avoid testing requirements for health education, and secure funding to enable effective implementation by the 2027–2028 school year.

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

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