Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands authorizations for military-connected students regarding school transferal in Massachusetts.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the governor to accept on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts retrocession of all or part of the legislative jurisdiction over property within the Commonwealth over which such jurisdiction has been ceded to the United States by the Commonwealth (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that if the United States or its delegee sends a written request for the transfer of jurisdiction from the United States to the Commonwealth for all juvenile matters occurring on a military installation or within a portion of an installation in the Commonwealth, the governor shall send a written reply accepting the request (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that if a student is transferring with a Section 504 plan pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the receiving school district shall take all responsible steps, including, but not limited to, obtaining records and any prior evaluations, to provide services comparable to those described in the student’s Section 504 plan (Sec. 3). 

• Specifies that a military-connected student shall be eligible to remain enrolled in their school of origin if the following conditions are met (Sec. 4): 

• At least one parent or guardian of the student has a Department of Defense-issued identification card; and 

• At least one parent or guardian provides evidence that such parent or guardian will be on active duty status or active duty orders, which shall include the temporary transfer of such parent or guardian in compliance with official orders to another location in support of combat, contingency operation, or a natural disaster requiring the use of orders for not less than 30 consecutive days.

• Specifies that the military-connected student may remain at the school of origin until the student completes the highest grade level at the school (Sec. 4). 

• Specifies that the school district shall not be required to provide transportation for the military-connected student (Sec. 4). 

Full Bill Text