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Bill

S 373

Prohibits confidentiality and non-disclosure provisions from inclusion in certain contracts entered into by the state or a municipality

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie and 4 co-sponsors

Prohibits suspension/expulsion for PK–5 in non-serious discipline, phased to 4th and 5th grades; DESE must guide districts to non-exclusion options like restorative practices.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · S 373

Summary — S.373 (2025): Ban on suspension/expulsion for early grades / supports for alternatives

Note: The bill text filed with the Senate (presented by Sen. Adam Gómez) is an education measure that would prohibit school exclusion for young students. Some metadata supplied with the request (a different bill title about confidentiality in contracts and assorted legislative actions/sponsors from other jurisdictions) appears inconsistent with the text. This summary is based on the Massachusetts bill text provided.

Purpose

The bill aims to keep young children in school during critical early-learning years, reduce disparities caused by disciplinary exclusions, and require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to support districts in using non-exclusion discipline strategies. It cites post‑COVID learning loss and equity concerns as motivating factors.

Key provisions

  • Amends G.L. c. 71, §37H¾ to govern suspension/expulsion of students who are not charged under the more serious disciplinary statutes (subsections (a) and (b) of §37H) or charged with a felony under §37H½.
  • Prohibits suspension or expulsion "in response to discipline infractions" for students in:
    • Prekindergarten through 3rd grade (initial prohibition as introduced).
    • Expands the prohibition to 4th grade (Section 4) and to 5th grade (Section 5) by staged implementation.
  • Requires the Department to provide guidance and support to districts on best practices and alternatives to suspension/expulsion, including:
    • Mediation
    • Conflict resolution
    • Restorative justice
    • Collaborative problem solving
  • Exceptions: the prohibition does not apply to students charged under the specified serious-offense or felony provisions (G.L. c.71, §37H and §37H½).

Who is affected

  • Public school students in prekindergarten through (phased in) 5th grade.
  • School districts, administrators, teachers, and school support staff responsible for discipline.
  • DESE (responsible for guidance, tools, and resources).
  • Potentially families and community-based providers involved in alternative discipline supports.

Timeline / effective dates

  • Section expanding prohibition to 4th grade takes effect 1 year after passage.
  • Section expanding prohibition to 5th grade takes effect 2 years after passage.
  • Other provisions (initial preK–3 ban and DESE guidance duty) appear effective on enactment unless stated otherwise.

Implementation considerations / potential impacts

  • Expected outcomes: fewer exclusions for young students, increased instructional time, and reduced discipline disparities.
  • Practical needs: funding, staff training, program development (restorative practices, mediation), and monitoring effectiveness.
  • Legal/operational issues: interaction with special education protections (IDEA), safety for school communities, and handling of incidents that fall under the reserved serious-offense exceptions.

Procedural status / source note

  • Bill text presented by Sen. Adam Gómez. User-supplied metadata about sponsors and legislative actions contains inconsistencies and references to other measures; consult the official legislative website for current status and accurate history.

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

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