An Act to promote the inclusion of American Sign Language in the Commonwealth’s public schools, AKA The American Sign Language Inclusion Act

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Carol Doherty and 17 co-sponsors

Requires every public secondary school in Massachusetts to offer American Sign Language as a mandatory part of the curriculum.

Senate concurred

Overview and purpose

Title: An Act to promote the inclusion of American Sign Language in the Commonwealth’s public schools, aka The American Sign Language Inclusion Act.

Purpose: To advance the inclusion of American Sign Language (ASL) in Massachusetts public education by ensuring ASL is taught in secondary schools and highlighted as a component of inclusive education.

Status: Senate concurrence achieved; the bill originated in the House and has moved through the Legislative process in the 194th General Court (2025-2026).

Introduced: February 27, 2025.

Key provisions (as drafted in the bill)

Section 1 (amendment to general law): Section 2B of Chapter 71 of the General Laws would change language from “may be taught” to “shall be taught in each of the Commonwealth’s secondary schools.”

Effect: Requires every public secondary school in Massachusetts to offer ASL as part of the curriculum.

Section 2 (policy statement addition): Adds a justification clause after the word “society” explaining that many children with autism have learned and communicated via sign language because it is visually based, unaided, and provides quick communication.

Effect: Establishes a rationale for ASL inclusion, linking it to benefits observed for some students with autism.

Section 3 (implementation language): Replaces the word “may” with “shall” in the relevant portion of Section 2B.

Effect: Reinforces the mandatory nature of ASL instruction in secondary schools.

Who/what would be affected

Public school students in Massachusetts, with a particular emphasis on secondary school students (grades typically 9–12).

School districts and charter/public schools within the Commonwealth, which would be responsible for implementing mandatory ASL instruction.

ASL educators and language programs, including staffing, curriculum development, and professional development for teachers.

Students who are deaf or hard of hearing, students with autism, and students seeking alternative communication modalities or enhanced language options.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative path: Introduced as House Bill No. 558 (HD 4071) on January 17, 2025; the bill was referred to the Committee on Education on February 27, 2025.

Status update: Senate concurred on February 27, 2025, indicating alignment between House and Senate considerations at that stage.

Next steps (not specified in text): If enacted, the bill would require Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance and/or regulations to implement the mandatory ASL instruction in all secondary schools, including potential timelines, standards, teacher qualifications, and resources.

Notes and considerations

The bill imposes a mandatory instruction requirement (shall be taught) rather than a permissive option (may be taught).

The inserted statement about autism provides context but does not create separate program mandates; it supports the rationale for inclusion.

Specific implementation details (phased timelines, funding, teacher training, and curricular standards) are not explicit in the text provided and would typically be addressed in accompanying regulations or follow-up legislation.

Overall, HD 4071 seeks to normalize and mandate ASL instruction across Massachusetts secondary schools, framed within an inclusive education approach.

Bill