Bill would tighten charter-school approvals, ban enrollment incentives

State Sen. Bruce E. Tarr filed legislation Jan. 9 that would amend Chapter 71, Section 89 of the Massachusetts General Laws to change how the state handles approval, oversight and waivers for commonwealth charter schools.

The bill, filed as Senate No. 452 and titled “An Act ensuring charter school integrity,” would require the board named in Section 89 to issue a written confirmation within 30 days after approving a new commonwealth charter school that the school meets the requirements set out in subsections (b), (e) and (f) of Section 89 and in the implementing regulations, and to provide a summary of the reasons for that confirmation.

The proposal would also add three other provisions. First, it would prohibit charter schools from soliciting applications by offering money or gifts of any monetary value as an incentive for application. Second, it would amend the statute’s revocation language to say the board may revoke a charter if the school fails to fulfill conditions imposed with the charter, violates any provision of its charter, or if the board “has substantially violated any provision of this section or its implementing regulations in granting the charter.” Third, the bill would add a new subsection establishing waiver procedures: waivers would be allowed only at the written request of the charter applicant or at the written request of the board, would be limited to “exceptional circumstances,” would require a written explanation of reasons and could be issued only by a two‑thirds vote of the board.

Why it matters: the changes focus on three oversight areas — transparency after approval, enrollment marketing practices, and clear limits on when the board can waive regulations — and would alter both school and board obligations under the statute. The bill’s ban on monetary enrollment incentives targets how schools solicit applicants; the expanded revocation clause explicitly includes improper board conduct in granting charters as a ground for revocation; and the waiver provision would narrow the circumstances and process for regulatory exceptions by requiring written requests, written explanations and a two‑thirds board vote.

The text notes that similar matter was filed in the previous legislative session (Senate No. 352 of 2023–2024). The document on file records the bill’s filing and full proposed statutory text but does not record any committee referrals, hearings or votes.