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S 2709

Provides protections for telecommunications tower technicians

2025 Regular Session Introduced by April Baskin and 24 co-sponsors

Strengthens protections for military-connected families by ensuring continuity of education for mobile students, including special education, school-of-origin retention, and recogn

SUBSTITUTED BY A4938
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Bill Summary · S 2709

Summary — S 2709 (2025): "An Act to enhance access, inclusion, support and equity for military connected families"

Status summary
- Senate Bill S 2709 was introduced 9/4/2025 and later substituted by Assembly companion A4938 (substitution recorded 6/9/2025). As of 11/6/2025 the Senate printed text (based on S2676 as amended), passed to be engrossed, and the measure was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on 11/10/2025.

Purpose and intent
- The bill seeks to strengthen legal, educational and support protections for military-connected families in Massachusetts. It addresses jurisdictional arrangements for incidents on military installations, continuity of educational and special‑education services for military children, data transparency on Massachusetts National Guard veteran suicides, and recognition of military protective orders in domestic abuse proceedings.

Key provisions (by topic and statutory location)
1. Jurisdiction/retrocession (amendments to chapter 1, sections 2 and 7A)
- Clarifies that Commonwealth jurisdiction is concurrent with federal courts for violations of federal law committed by a minor on a Department of Defense military installation when: (i) the U.S. Attorney or federal court waives exclusive jurisdiction; and (ii) the federal offense is also a state crime.
- Expands governor’s authority to accept retrocession (return of legislative jurisdiction) of ceded federal property and sets filing/notice requirements.
- Requires the governor to accept, upon written request from the U.S. (or its delegee), transfer of jurisdiction for juvenile matters occurring on an identified military installation and to file authenticated copies with state and local officials.

  1. Tracking veteran suicides (chapter 33, new section 140)

    • The Adjutant General, consulting with the Executive Office of Veterans Services, must track suicides among Massachusetts National Guard veterans and publish the information on the Guard’s website in a machine‑readable form, consistent with state and federal privacy laws.
    • Data must be posted no later than 6 months after the act’s effective date.

  2. Continuity of special education and related services (chapter 71, §6B — new subsection)

    • When a military-connected student transfers with a Section 504 plan, IFSP or IEP, the receiving district must take reasonable steps (e.g., obtain records, prior evaluations) to provide comparable services.
    • If a new evaluation is needed or requested, the district must notify parents and complete reevaluation not less than 30 school days after parental consent.

  3. School-of-origin retention for military students (chapter 76, new §12D)

    • Military-connected students (per §6B definition) may remain enrolled in their school of origin if a parent/guardian has a DoD ID and is placed on active duty/orders (including temporary transfer for combat/contingency/natural disaster) for at least 30 consecutive days.
    • Such students may remain through the highest grade at the school of origin. The school/district is not required to provide transportation after residency changes.

  4. Military protective orders in domestic abuse proceedings (chapter 209A)

    • Defines “military protective order” (orders issued by a member’s commanding officer on DOD form).
    • Military protective orders are expressly admissible as evidence in proceedings under chapter 209A (domestic abuse protective orders).

Who is affected
- Military-connected students and their parents/guardians (particularly those on active duty or reassigned temporarily).
- School districts (receiving and origin districts), special education administrators and school transportation policies.
- Massachusetts National Guard veterans (data tracking) and the Adjutant General / Executive Office of Veterans Services.
- Courts handling juvenile matters on military installations; the governor’s office and local clerks regarding retrocession filings.
- Victims and respondents in chapter 209A proceedings where military protective orders exist.

Procedural/timeline notes
- The bill was substituted by A4938, indicating the Assembly version may govern next steps.
- Publication of Guard suicide data is required within 6 months of the act taking effect.
- Reevaluations for transferring special education students must be completed not less than 30 school days after parental consent.

Potential impacts
- Improves continuity of education and special education services for mobile military families.
- Enhances data transparency on National Guard veteran suicides (with privacy safeguards).
- Provides mechanisms to resolve jurisdictional gaps on military property for juvenile matters.
- Gives legal recognition to military protective orders in state domestic‑abuse proceedings, potentially strengthening evidence in those cases.

(For final legal interpretation or implementation questions, consult the enacted text of A4938 and relevant state agencies.)

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

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