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Education committee hears broad support to codify protections for immigrant students, English learners and students with disabilities
Summary
At a Joint Committee on Education hearing, advocates, legal groups and the attorney general's office urged lawmakers to pass H'650/S'436 to codify federal protections — including Plyler v. Doe, parts of IDEA and Section 504 guidance — at the state level, and to require qualified interpreters and safeguards for English learners with disabilities.
The Joint Committee on Education on Monday heard hours of testimony urging lawmakers to report favorably on H 650/S 436, legislation that would codify in Massachusetts law existing federal protections for immigrant students, English learners and students with disabilities.
Advocates and lawyers said the measure does not create new rights but instead would enshrine rights currently enforced at the federal level so they remain in place if federal enforcement or precedent changes.
"This bill does not add new legal protections. Rather, it codifies four important areas established by the Supreme Court, federal statute, and federal guidance," said Diana Santiago, legal director at Mass Advocates for Children. She told the committee the bill affirms the state's commitment to…
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