Resolve authorizing a study of starting times and schedules

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 4 co-sponsors

Creates a task force to study middle/high school start times, review sleep science, assess district adoption and outcomes, and issue recommendations by July 1, 2026.

Resolve reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means

Purpose and intent

Establishes a temporary, independent task force to study the effects of school day start times for middle and high school students in Massachusetts.

Aims to synthesize scientific findings on adolescent sleep needs and how start times impact student health, well-being, and academic performance.

Seeks to determine how many districts have implemented later start times, assess associated academic outcomes (including statewide tests), and identify resources to help districts consider or implement later start times if beneficial.

Key provisions

Creation of an Educational Task Force convened by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Task force duties:

Review scientific research on adolescent sleep and the relationship between start times and student health and academic performance.
Determine the number of districts in the commonwealth that have implemented later start times for middle and secondary schools, and examine corresponding academic outcomes, including statewide assessments.
Identify resources and opportunities to assist districts in implementing later start times, should findings indicate a benefit to student learning.

Report requirement: The task force must file a report with findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation necessary to implement its recommendations by July 1, 2026.

Task force composition

The task force shall include, and be chaired by, the following members (with designees as appropriate):
- Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education (or designee) – chair
- Secretary of Education (or designee)
- Executive director or designee of:
- Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Inc.
- Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Inc.
- Massachusetts Secondary Schools Administration Association, Inc.
- Start School Later, Inc.
- Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials, Inc.
- Representative from the National Sleep Foundation
- A parent of a high school student who is a member of a school council (as defined in G.L. ch. 71, section 59C)
- A superintendent from a district that has implemented later school day start times

Timeline and procedural details

Legislative status:

Introduced: February 27, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Education
Senate concurrence noted
As of September 25, 2025: Resolve reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee

Hearing: A hearing was scheduled for June 17, 2025 (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

Report due: July 1, 2026

Related action: Similar measure previously filed in the 2023-2024 session as House Bill 486

Potential impact and considerations

This is a policy study (a “resolve”), not an immediate mandate. It does not change start times by itself but could inform future legislation or district-level decisions.

If the task force finds benefits to later start times, it could provide a framework, guidance, and legislative recommendations to support districts considering implementation.

Stakeholder involvement is broad, including educators, district administrators, families, sleep health experts, and school-related associations, ensuring diverse perspectives.

Related bill

HD 239 (the current filing is House No. 585; a similar matter was previously filed as House No. 486 in 2023-2024)

This bill sets up a structured, evidence-based examination of starting times for middle and high schools, with a formal deadline for findings and recommendations to guide future policy.

Bill