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H 3064

Autopsy photographs

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Todd Rutherford

Establishes statewide bilingual educator endorsements with reciprocity, 75-hour field experience, and a trust fund to incentivize bilingual certification and expand licensure.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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Bill Summary · H 3064

Summary — H.3064 (House No. 3064) — “An Act relative to bilingual educators and dual language certification incentives”

Status snapshot
- Introduced (Massachusetts): 2025-01-14; referred to Committee on Judiciary (also referred to Committee on Revenue on 2025-02-27). Senate concurred 2025-02-27. Hearing scheduled 2025-09-16 (A‑1 and virtual). Related bill: HD 3400 (replaces).
- Note: The packet supplied also contains text from an unrelated South Carolina bill concerning autopsy photographs; that appears to be appended in error (see “Notes & inconsistencies” below).

Purpose and intent
- Establish statewide policy and programmatic supports to grow and credential a linguistically diverse educator workforce in Massachusetts. The bill emphasizes multilingualism as an asset, states a public obligation to support biliteracy, and aims to increase the number of properly endorsed bilingual educators through endorsements, reciprocity, workforce supports, and a proposed bilingual education trust fund (mentioned in the bill petition).

Key provisions (from provided text)
1. Revised policy declaration (Chapter 71A, §1 replacement)
- Affirms no official state language, celebrates multilingualism, and sets an objective that all public-school children have ample opportunities to acquire multiple languages.

  1. New/updated bilingual educator endorsement rules (Chapter 71A, §10 replacement)

    • The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will establish endorsements for teachers/administrators in sheltered English immersion, two‑way immersion, transitional bilingual, and other qualifying programs.
    • Bilingual education endorsement requirements:
      • Passing score on a DESE‑acceptable foreign language test in the relevant language.
      • Demonstration of subject‑matter knowledge per 603 CMR 7.14(3)(b) via (a) completion of a DESE‑approved course of study for bilingual education or (b) passing a DESE‑acceptable test.
      • Completion of 75 hours of field‑based experience in preK–12 dual language/2‑way immersion or other bilingual settings (supervision permitted by an approved course or the hosting school).
    • DESE must annually (by June 1) provide districts with a list of endorsed bilingual educators; districts (including charters) must verify proper endorsements before each school year.
    • DESE must enter reciprocity agreements with other states/territories allowing out‑of‑state equivalent endorsements to transfer without meeting these in‑state requirements; DESE to promulgate necessary rules.

  2. Licensure reciprocity and task force (new Chapter 71A, §13)

    • DESE directed to establish licensure reciprocity agreements and notify other states/territories of intent.
    • Creation of a Task Force on the Bilingual Educator Workforce chaired by the Secretary of Education (or designee). Membership (partial list provided) includes representatives from Board of Higher Education, Board of Elementary & Secondary Education, legislative education committee chairs, an InSPIRED fellow, and appointees from Latinos for Education, MABE‑Northeast, MA Association of School Superintendents (Urban Superintendents), MA Association of School Committees, AFT‑Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Teachers Association. (Text is truncated; additional membership/charges may follow in full bill.)

  3. Bilingual Education Trust Fund (petition language)

    • The introductory petition references establishing a separate “bilingual education trust fund” to support bilingual educators and dual language certification incentives. Specific fund structure, dollar amounts, or allocation rules are not included in the excerpt provided.

Who would be affected
- Public-school districts and charter schools (responsible for verification of endorsements).
- Current and prospective bilingual educators in Massachusetts (new endorsement requirements, 75‑hour field requirement, reciprocity pathways).
- Institutions of higher education and preparation programs (to align coursework with DESE‑approved endorsements).
- Students, families, and communities—particularly multilingual learners—through expansion of qualified bilingual instruction.

Timeline and procedural notes
- DESE deadlines: annually provide endorsed‑educator lists by June 1; districts must verify endorsements prior to each school year.
- The bill requires DESE to promulgate rules for interstate reciprocity and to finalize agreements consistent with workforce goals.
- A task force will be convened (membership and charge in the bill).

Notes & inconsistencies
- The main body of the provided bill text is a Massachusetts education bill focused on bilingual educators. However, the file also contains duplicated text of a South Carolina bill (amending S.C. Code §17‑5‑535) addressing dissemination of autopsy photographs and imposing misdemeanor fines ($5,000–$50,000) for violations. That South Carolina text is unrelated to H.3064 and appears appended in error.
- The provided Massachusetts text is truncated in places (Section 13 and potentially other sections). Full legislative text should be consulted for complete membership/charges of the task force, detailed instructions about the bilingual education trust fund, and any additional programmatic or funding provisions.

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

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