Protect Education Equity Bill Officially the Law in Massachusetts
We're thrilled to share breaking news: the Protect Education Equity Bill is officially the law in Massachusetts! This is a major victory for immigrant children and students with disabilities across the Commonwealth, and a powerful stand against recent federal attacks on their rights.
For the first time, Massachusetts state law explicitly affirms the right to a public education in Massachusetts for students of all immigration statuses and students with disabilities.
This law comes at a time of rising federal threats to civil rights. While federal protections for immigrant students and students with disabilities are in jeopardy, Massachusetts has taken a bold stand to ensure that those rights remain protected here at home.
The law:
Explicitly establishes in state law that education anti-discrimination law protects children of all immigration statuses and children with disabilities
Requires schools to provide trained interpreters so families who speak a language other than English can understand and participate in their child's education
Protects the right of English learners with disabilities to get the special education services they need
Prevents students with disabilities from being unfairly punished for behavior that is related to their disability, while still keeping schools safe
We are deeply grateful to Speaker Ronald Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, Chair Aaron Michlewitz, Chair Michael Rodrigues, House Leader Alice Peisch, House Leader Frank Moran, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Senator Pavel Payano, Conference Committee Members, and the many legislative staffers who worked tirelessly to get this bill across the finish line with incredible speed.
This victory was also made possible by the powerful advocacy of our statewide coalition – families, educators, legal advocates, and community partners – who came together to demand that Massachusetts stand firm in protecting the rights of all students. And, together, we are.
Now that the law is signed by Governor Healey, our work continues. We’ll be focused on ensuring strong, statewide implementation so that the promises of this law translate into real, lasting change for students and families across the Commonwealth.
Thank you to our amazing coalition partners!
ACLU of Massachusetts
American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts (AFT-MA)
Arc of Massachusetts
Association of Massachusetts School Equity Leaders (AMSEL)
Autistic People of Color Fund
Black Autism Coalition
Boston's Higher Ground
Brazilian Women's Group
Center for Law and Education
Center for New Americans
Center for Public Representation
Children's Law Center of MA, Inc.
Citizens for Juvenile Justice
Citizens for Public Schools
Coalition for a Better Acre
Cognitive Holistic Healing
CPLAN (Collaborative Parent Leadership Action Network)
Edlaw Project of the Committee for Public Counsel Services
EdTrust in Massachusetts
English for New Bostonians
Enroot Education
Federation for Children with Special Needs
Fortaleza, Inc
Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy
International Institute of New England (IINE)
Justice Center of Southeast MA
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
La Colaborativa
Lawrence Community Works
Latinx Center
Lawyers for Civil Rights
Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice
Massachusetts Association of Haitian Parents
Massachusetts Association of Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages (MATSOL)
Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance (MEJA)
Massachusetts Immigrant Collaborative
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
Massachusetts Teachers Association
Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
MIRA Coalition
Multistate Association for Bilingual Education, Northeast, Inc (MABE)
Refugee & Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC)
Re-Imagining Migration
Padres Latinos de Somerville Public Schools
PPAL (Parent/Professional Advocacy League, Inc.)
ROCA
Saint Stephens Youth Programs
Sociedad Latina
Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative
United Communities Corp.
Youth Advocacy and Policy Lab