H3980 — An Act establishing LGBTQIA+ parent advisory councils in the Commonwealth

Summary

An Act establishing LGBTQIA+ parent advisory councils in the Commonwealth

Bill Text

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• Chapter 71

  Section 1E. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the school committee of any city, town, or school district shall establish a LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, or another identity on the Queer spectrum) parent advisory council. Membership shall be offered to all parents who identify themselves as LGBTQIA+ or have children who identify as LGBTQIA+, and other interested parties. The duties of the council shall include, but not be limited to: (i) advising the school committee on matters that pertain to the education and safety of LGBTQIA+ students; (ii) meeting regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the school district’s programs; (iii) participating in the review of school improvement plans under section 59C of chapter 71 and district improvement plans under section 1I of chapter 69. Upon request from a parent advisory council, each school committee or school council within that parent advisory council's district shall meet at least annually with the council; provided, however, that if the parent advisory council advises a charter school the board of the charter school shall, upon request from the parent advisory council, meet not less than annually with the council. The parent advisory council shall establish by-laws regarding officers and operational procedures. In the course of its duties under this section, the council shall receive assistance from the school committee without charge, upon reasonable notice, and subject to the availability of staff and resources.

  Establishes a new section requiring the creation of LGBTQIA+ parent advisory councils in school districts.

• SECTION 2. The department of elementary and secondary education shall adopt, promulgate, amend and rescind rules and regulations or formulate policies and make recommendations as necessary to implement this act.

  Requires the education department to create rules and policies to implement the new advisory council.

• SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027

  Defines the effective date of the new law.

Sponsors

• Carmine Lawrence Gentile · Primary

Subjects