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S 356

Relates to paratransit services

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 15 co-sponsors

The bill formalizes student representation in local school governance by requiring regular meetings between school committees and elected student advisory committees, with a non-vo

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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Bill Summary · S 356

Summary — S.356 (Aidan’s Law): “An Act ensuring student representation”

Status: Referred to Transportation; Passed Senate (without amendment) 6/18/2025; Received in House 6/23/2025; hearing scheduled 11/12/2025 (Gardner Auditorium). Introduced: Jan–Feb 2025.

Note: The bill text is titled “An Act ensuring student representation, Aidan’s Law.” (The header in the provided metadata referencing “paratransit services” appears inconsistent with the bill text.)

Purpose

To formalize and expand student advisory representation in local public school governance across Massachusetts by requiring school committees (cities, towns, regional districts) and charter school boards to meet regularly with an elected student advisory committee and to grant the student committee chair an ex‑officio, non‑voting seat.

Key provisions

  • Amends Chapter 71, section 38M (replaces existing text).
  • Student advisory committees:
    • Each school committee and each charter school board must meet with a student advisory committee at least once every other month during months when school is in session.
    • Each student advisory committee must consist of five members elected by the student body of the high school(s) in the city, town, regional district, or charter school.
  • Chairperson:
    • Members of the student advisory committee elect, by majority vote and before June 1 each year, a chairperson to serve a one‑year term.
    • The chairperson serves as an ex‑officio, non‑voting member of the school committee or charter school board.
    • Ex‑officio student members may attend executive sessions only if the school committee/board expressly grants that right.
    • The chair is subject to the committee/board’s rules and serves without compensation.
  • Student outreach coordinator:
    • School committees/boards may designate a student outreach coordinator to ensure establishment of the student advisory committee and to regularly inform it about the committee/board agenda.

Who is affected

  • High school students (those elected to the five‑member advisory committees).
  • Municipal and regional school committees and charter school boards (new regular engagement requirement).
  • District or charter staff who may be assigned as a student outreach coordinator.
  • School administrators (logistical and scheduling duties).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Passed the Massachusetts Senate by voice vote on June 18, 2025; transmitted to the House June 23, 2025.
  • Hearing in the House scheduled for November 12, 2025.
  • Effective date and final enactment depend on subsequent House action and any governor’s approval.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Strengthens formal student voice in local school governance, increasing opportunities for student input on policy and agenda-setting.
  • Student representatives remain non‑voting and generally excluded from executive sessions unless expressly allowed — preserving confidentiality boundaries.
  • Administrative impacts are expected to be modest: recurring meeting scheduling and potential assignment of an outreach coordinator (could be an existing staff role); no compensation required for student members.
  • Schools may need clear protocols for selection/election processes, orientation/training for student representatives, and rules governing access to sensitive matters.

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

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