Bill
H 531
Districts must reimburse families transporting a child with a disability at state mileage rates and minimum wage for round-trip home-to-school trips and activities.
Purpose and intent
- The bill seeks to relieve families who transport a school-age child with a disability by requiring school districts to reimburse eligible families for transportation-related costs. It aims to formalize financial support consistent with state wage and compensation standards.
Key provisions
- Amends Section 8 of Chapter 71B (General Laws) by replacing the current paragraph with:
- For any parent or guardian who provides transportation to a school-age child with a disability, the school district shall reimburse the parent or guardian the prevailing rate per mile for state employees and the state minimum wage for the time spent providing the transportation.
- Reimbursement applies to the round-trip time and distance between home and school for school attendance and school-sponsored extracurricular activities.
- Mileage is based on a direct route between the student’s home and school.
- No parent or guardian is obligated to provide such transportation.
- The amendment targets transportation costs incurred by families and ties reimbursement to recognized wage and mileage standards.
Affected parties
- Families and guardians of school-age students with disabilities who provide their own transportation to and from school or school-sponsored activities.
- School districts in Massachusetts, which would be responsible for processing and paying the reimbursements.
Procedural status and timeline
- Filed: January 15, 2025 (House No. 531) by Rep. Rob Consalvo (14th Suffolk).
- Introduced: February 27, 2025.
- Referred to: Committee on Education (with a note indicating Senate concurrence on the same date in the record).
- Hearing: Scheduled for June 3, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Room B-2.
- Related action: House Docket No. 1962; HD 1962 is noted as a related/replacing bill.
Implementation considerations
- Fiscal impact: The bill establishes a reimbursement obligation for districts; costs will depend on mileage, time spent, and number of eligible participants. Reimbursement is pegged to the prevailing rate per mile for state employees and the state minimum wage.
- Administration: Districts would need to verify eligibility, calculate reimbursements based on direct home-to-school routes, and maintain records for extracurricular activities.
- Optional transportation: The provision states families are not required to provide transportation, preserving parental choice.
Related legislation
- Related Bill: HD 1962 (noted as replacing the current measure)
This summary covers the bill’s core purpose, provisions, who is affected, and key procedural milestones and timelines.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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