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HD 938

An Act to charter school renewals

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mindy Domb and 3 co-sponsors

Expands charter renewal criteria to require the board to weigh inequitable disciplinary practices, culturally insensitive policies, and other factors harming student outcomes.

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Bill Summary · HD 938

Summary: An Act to charter school renewals (HD 938)

Overview

  • Title: An Act to charter school renewals
  • Bill number: HD 938 (House Docket No. 938; accompanying House No. 634)
  • Sponsored by: Representatives Kate Lipper-Garabedian (Melrose) and Steven Ultrino (Malden), with additional petitioners
  • Status: Proposed bill in the 2025-2026 General Court session
  • Introduced: The bill text indicates filing in January 2025; the user’s note lists an introduction date of November 29, 2025. As a proposed bill, it has not yet become law.

What the bill would change

  • Core aim: To modify the charter school renewal process by expanding the criteria the reviewing board must consider.
  • Legal mechanism: It amends Section 89 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws (as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition).

Key provisions

  • Added consideration: The board shall also consider evidence of inequitable disciplinary practices and culturally insensitive policies.
  • Broadening the scope: The board may consider any other relative information that, in its judgment, negatively impacts student outcomes.

Direct language added:
- “The board shall also consider evidence of inequitable disciplinary practices and culturally insensitive policies. The board may also consider any other relative information that in its judgement negatively impacts students outcomes.”

Who/what is affected

  • Charter schools: Renewal decisions would be influenced by the expanded set of evidence the board must weigh.
  • Charter operators and sponsors: Could face renewal outcomes (renewal vs. non-renewal) based on findings related to discipline equity, cultural responsiveness, and related factors.
  • Students and families: Potentially benefit from renewals that emphasize equitable practices and culturally responsive policies.
  • Public education agencies: The Board (the charter-oversight authority) would have a broader set of information to evaluate.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill proposes a change to existing law governing charter renewals, expanding the evidentiary basis for renewal determinations.
  • As a proposed bill, it would require passage by both houses of the Legislature and the Governor’s signature to become law. No enacted effective date is provided in the text available.

Notes and context

  • This amendment aligns renewal evaluations with concerns about equity and inclusive practices in schools.
  • No fiscal impact or implementation timeline is specified in the provided summary text; those details would typically be clarified in committee testimony or fiscal notes if the bill advances.

If you’d like, I can compare this with the existing renewal criteria in Section 89 to highlight how the new language broadens or reframes the evaluation framework.

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

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