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SD 361

An Act to improve augmentative and alternative communication opportunities for children with disabilities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 8 co-sponsors

Regulatory change requires all teacher prep programs to include AAC and assistive-tech training; PD may target nonverbal students to boost AAC access.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 361

Summary of Bill SD 361 (An Act to improve augmentative and alternative communication opportunities for children with disabilities)

Overview

  • Bill number: SD 361 (Senate Docket No. 361)
  • Title: An Act to improve augmentative and alternative communication opportunities for children with disabilities
  • Status: House concurred
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Classification: Proposed bill (education-related)

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to improve educational opportunities for students who rely on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) by ensuring that teacher preparation and professional development explicitly address AAC and related assistive technologies. It uses a regulatory approach rather than creating new funding programs.

Key provisions

  • Regulatory requirement for teacher programs: The bill directs the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to repromulgate regulation 603 CMR 7.03(3) as necessary to establish a requirement that all approved programs for teachers include instruction on the appropriate use of AAC and other assistive technologies.
  • Professional development focus: The Board may require that individual professional development plans (PD plans) mandated by section 38G of Chapter 71 address the learning needs of students who are nonverbal or have limited speech and require AAC.
  • Regulatory mechanism: The changes are to be implemented through the repromulgation of existing regulations, rather than through new statutory language or separate appropriations.

Who is affected

  • Teacher preparation programs (colleges/universities and other entities approved to train teachers) will need to incorporate AAC instruction.
  • In-service teachers may be subject to enhanced professional development requirements related to AAC.
  • Students with disabilities who rely on AAC or have limited speech, particularly nonverbal students, stand to benefit from improved access to instruction, supports, and accommodations.
  • DESE and the regulatory framework will oversee and implement the updated regulatory language.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Legislative actions:
    • Referred to the Committee on Education (2025-02-27)
    • House concurrence recorded (2025-02-27)
  • The bill builds on prior related proposals (similar matter previously filed as Senate No. 326 in 2023-2024).
  • The approach is regulatory (repromulgation of an existing regulation) rather than creating new statutory programs or earmarking funds.

Potential impact

  • Creates a clearer, mandated expectation that teachers entering the profession are trained in AAC and related technologies.
  • Encourages targeted PD for current teachers to better serve students who are nonverbal or have limited speech.
  • May lead to more consistent implementation of AAC supports across Massachusetts schools, improving communication opportunities and learning outcomes for affected students.
  • No specific funding allocation is identified in the bill text; implementation relies on regulatory updates by DESE.

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

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