WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HD 5312

An Act relative to school choice

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Barrett

Narrowly restricts a school-choice subsection to Massachusetts receiving districts that run both a middle school and a high school; elementary-only districts would not be covered.

Referred to the committee on House Rules
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 5312

Summary: HD 5312 — An Act relative to school choice

Overview

  • Bill number: HD 5312
  • Title: An Act relative to school choice
  • Status: Referred to the Committee on House Rules
  • Introduced: November 10, 2025 (File date: November 5, 2025)
  • Classification: Proposed bill (joint petition)

This bill proposes a targeted amendment to existing school-choice-related provisions in Massachusetts law. The amendment is narrowly focused on how a specific subsection of Chapter 76, Section 12B, applies to school districts.

What the bill would do

  • Amendment to law: The bill amends Section 12B of Chapter 76 of the General Laws, as it appears in the 2024 Official Edition.
  • Added proviso: It inserts after the word “sections” the following proviso:
    • “; provided, that this subsection shall only apply to receiving districts that operate a middle school and high school.”
  • Scope limitation: This proviso restricts the application of the referenced subsection to receiving districts that operate both a middle school and a high school. Districts that do not operate a middle/high school would not fall under this subsection as amended.

Key provisions and changes

  • The core substantive change is a narrowing of applicability. The school-choice-related subsection would apply only to receiving districts with middle and high schools, rather than all receiving districts universally (as the subsection currently exists). The exact policy effects depend on what the original subsection governs within Section 12B (the text here does not specify those original provisions).

Who would be affected

  • Affected entities: Receiving districts in Massachusetts that operate a middle school and a high school.
  • Not directly affected: Receiving districts that do not operate both a middle school and a high school (elementary-only or K–8 districts would not fall under the amended subsection).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Current status: Referred to the House Rules Committee (as of 2025-11-10).
  • Legislative path: As a joint petition (Representative Barrett and Senator Mark), the bill would proceed through committee review, potential hearings, and then floor action in both chambers, subject to joint Rule 12 procedures.
  • Next steps: Committee hearings and votes; if approved, movement to the Senate and onward through the normal legislative process.

Notes

  • The bill text provided shows a very targeted amendment with limited scope. The broader policy impact will hinge on the substance of Section 12B’s original provisions and how the proviso interacts with those provisions in receiving districts with middle/high schools.

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

Sign in to ask a question.