Bill
S 368
Limits suspensions or exclusionary discipline for dress or grooming violations in Massachusetts public and charter schools, requires nondiscriminatory, objective rules, and bans en
Note: the title and some metadata in your request (about permitting sale of tonic water, bitters, etc.) appear to conflict with the actual bill text provided. This summary focuses on the bill text (Senate Docket No. 997 / Senate No. 368 as filed), which amends Massachusetts school discipline law to limit exclusionary discipline for grooming and dress-code violations.
Summary — An Act to reduce exclusionary discipline for grooming and dress code violations
Purpose
- Limit suspensions/other exclusionary discipline in Massachusetts public and charter schools that are imposed solely for alleged student dress or grooming violations.
- Ensure dress/grooming rules are nondiscriminatory, objective, and enforced without physical contact or forced undressing.
- Direct the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to promulgate implementing regulations, policies and training.
Key provisions
- Amend G.L. c.71, §37H by adding subsection (h) requiring any school district or charter school dress/grooming rules to:
1. Make no distinction, discrimination, or restriction on account of sex or gender identity.
2. Not treat students differently or have a disparate impact based on race, national origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
3. Be clear, specific, and objective in definitions (if terms are used).
4. Prohibit school employees from enforcing dress/grooming rules through direct physical contact with a student or the student’s attire.
5. Prohibit employees from requiring a student to undress in front of any other person (including the enforcing employee) to comply with dress/grooming rules.
- Amend G.L. c.71, §37H 3/4 by adding: “In no cases may a school district or charter school suspend a student solely on the basis of an alleged violation of rules related to student dress and grooming,” with two express qualifications:
- Districts/charter schools may require students to wear clothing of a specific color.
- Nothing limits schools from taking action to prevent bullying (M.G.L. c.70, §37O) or harassment based on protected characteristics (race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation).
- Preserve existing student speech rights under G.L. c.71, §82 and other state/federal law.
- Effective date: changes take effect 60 days after enactment.
- DESE must adopt/regulate policies, and provide training, guidance, or recommendations to implement the law.
Who is affected
- Public school districts and charter schools across Massachusetts (policies, student codes of conduct).
- Students (including groups protected from disparate impact: by sex, gender identity, race, national origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation).
- School staff and administrators (enforcement practices, training, discipline procedures).
- Potentially reduces school suspensions/disciplinary removals for dress/grooming violations.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Filed as Senate No. 368 (Senate Docket No. 997); introduced in 2025 session.
- Effective on passage + 60 days. DESE rulemaking and training to follow.
- Related measures / prior-session references are listed in the bill filing.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Expected to reduce exclusionary discipline (suspensions) tied solely to dress/grooming enforcement.
- May require districts to revise student handbooks and enforcement protocols to avoid disparate impacts and ensure objective definitions.
- Training and regulatory guidance from DESE will be needed to ensure consistency across districts.
- The bill preserves schools’ ability to address bullying/harassment and to set limited uniform requirements (e.g., color-coded clothing).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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