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S 383

Establishes a credentialing pilot program for direct support professionals

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Samra Brouk and 2 co-sponsors

MSBA to create no-interest or low-interest facility loans for Chapter 71B special education schools, using the School Modernization and Reconstruction Trust Fund to finance upgrades.

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Bill Summary · S 383

Summary — S. 383 (Senate No. 383, 194th General Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

One‑line summary

S. 383 directs the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to adopt regulations establishing a no‑interest or low‑interest facilities loan program, using the School Modernization and Reconstruction Trust Fund, to finance construction and upgrades at private special education schools approved under chapter 71B.

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to reduce capital barriers for private special education schools that serve students with disabilities by creating a loan program to support facility construction, renovation, and modernization. Its stated intent is to improve physical infrastructure so approved special education schools can better serve students’ programmatic and safety needs.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes the MSBA, pursuant to its authority under the School Modernization and Reconstruction Trust Fund (section 35BB of chapter 10 of the General Laws), to promulgate regulations establishing a loan program.
  • Specifies that the loan program will provide no‑interest or low‑interest loans for facility construction and upgrades.
  • Limits program eligibility to schools approved under chapter 71B (Massachusetts statute governing private special education school approval).
  • The bill is framed as regulatory/administrative direction to the MSBA rather than a direct appropriation or standalone funding authorization.

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: private special education schools that hold approval under Chapter 71B seeking capital financing for facilities.
  • Implementing agency: Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), which must write program regulations and administer loans under the Trust Fund authority.
  • Indirect beneficiaries: students with disabilities served by those schools, families, and local education partners (through improved facilities and program capacity).

Implementation, timeline and oversight

  • The Act requires MSBA to promulgate regulations—implementation depends on the MSBA’s regulatory process (rulemaking, application design, underwriting, and loan servicing policies).
  • Because the authority is exercised under the School Modernization and Reconstruction Trust Fund, the existence and size of available funds will determine program scale.
  • The bill does not specify loan terms (maximum loan amounts, repayment periods, eligibility criteria beyond chapter 71B approval, or application/loan review timelines); those details are to be set in MSBA regulations.

Fiscal and programmatic considerations

  • The bill directs use of an existing trust fund rather than creating a new appropriation; fiscal impact will depend on fund balances and competing MSBA priorities.
  • No explicit cap, appropriation, or dedicated set‑aside is provided in the text—this could limit or delay program availability until the MSBA defines parameters.
  • Potential outcomes include reduced borrowing costs for eligible schools, accelerated facility improvements, and expanded program capacity; risks include demand exceeding available trust fund resources.

Legislative status and procedural notes

  • Introduced in the Massachusetts Senate (Senate No. 383) and presented by Senator John F. Keenan.
  • Recorded legislative actions include readings, committee referrals (Education; Disabilities noted in available metadata), and hearings scheduled later in 2025.
  • The bill text is brief and directs MSBA rulemaking; substantive program details will be set through MSBA regulations if the bill is enacted.

Note on source metadata

Some accompanying metadata (titles, sponsor lists, and committee referrals) appear inconsistent or include out‑of‑state or federal names. This summary is based on the bill text filed in the Massachusetts Senate (Senate No. 383) directing MSBA to create a no‑interest/low‑interest loan program for chapter 71B‑approved private special education schools.

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

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