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Legislative Bulletins


MASC Legislative Bulletins contain information relating to actions taken by the Massachusetts Legislature on important legislation and the state budget process as it pertains to education funding.

Legal Alert: Implementation of the Opioid Bill

MASC General Counsel Stephen Finnegan has released a legal bulletin regarding the recently enacted Opioid Bill and the necessary policy changes Massachusetts school districts need to implement prior to the start of the 2016-2017 school year.

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Legislative Bulletin: Senate Ways and Means Budget Recommendations (May 18, 2016)

MASC Legislative Bulletin

MASC General Counsel Stephen Finnegan just released a new Legislative Bulletin with analysis of the Senate Ways & Means Budget Recommendations. Items covered include:

  • Chapter 70 Funding
  • Regional and Homeless Student Transportation
  • Special Education Circuit Breaker
  • METCO and Charter School Reimbursement
  • Kindergarten Grants
  • Low Income Definition
  • Substance Abuse Prevention

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Legislative Bulletin: House Ways and Means Budget Recommendations (April 14, 2016)

MASC General Counsel Stephen Finnegan, Esq. has released a new Legislative Bulletin with analysis of the House Ways & Means Budget Recommendations. The bulletin includes details on Chapter 70 funding, transportation and special education circuit breaker, METCO and charter school reimbursements, Kindergarten grants, low-income definition and special education rates.

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Legislative Bulletin: Massachusetts Opioid Bill (March 16, 2016)

MASC General Counsel Stephen Finnegan, Esq. has released a new Legislative Bulletin, including an analysis of the new opioid bill, H.4056, An Act Relative to Substance Use, Treatment, Education and Prevention.

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Massachusetts Opioid Legislation Highlights

To: MASC School Committee Members
From: Stephen Finnegan, Esq., MASC Legal Counsel
Date: March 11, 2016
Re: MA Opioid Legislation

Following please find a summary of the educationally pertinent provisions of the Opioid Legislation (H.4056). MASC worked with the legislative leadership to ameliorate some of the mandate provisions of H.4056. For example, the screening of students for substance abuse was reduced to verbal and only at two grade levels to be recommended by DESE. Most importantly, the verbal screening provision is subject to appropriation. Finally, MASC worked hard to secure subsection (e) that provides no liability caused by an act or omission resulting from the implementation of this section. The substance abuse screening will not be implemented until the 2017-2018 school year. Parents or students may opt out of the screening. Also, MASC recommended a good samaritan provision regarding the administration of Naloxone to protect school employees, among others.

Read the Summary open_in_new

More Articles...

  1. Legislative Bulletin: Governor's Budget Recommendations (January 28, 2016)
  2. Legislative Bulletin: Municipal Finance Reform (December 18, 2015)
  3. Legislative Alert - MASC opposes Senate Bill 350 regarding dismissal rights
  4. Legislative Bulletin: Conference Committee Budget Recommendations (July 9, 2015)
  5. Legislative Bulletin: Senate Ways and Means Budget Recommendations (May 14, 2015)
  6. Legislative Bulletin: Governor's Budget Recommendations (March 5, 2015)
  7. Legislative Bulletin: Selection of Arbitrators (October 22, 2014)
  8. August 20, 2014: Gun Bill and Other End-Of-Session Matters
  9. May 15, 2014: The Senate Ways and Means Committee F.Y. 2015 Budget
  10. April 10, 2014: The House Ways and Means Committee F. Y. 2015 Budget
  11. February 20, 2014: Legislative Update
  12. January 24, 2014: Governor's (House 2) Budget Analysis
  13. May 16, 2013: The Senate Committee on Ways and Means Net School Spending Recommendations
  14. January 25, 2013: H.1, Governor's Budget Recommendations
  15. May 18, 2012: Senate Ways and Means Budget (S.4)
  16. April 12, 2012: House F.Y. 2013 Budget Recommendations