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Panel urges repeal of 'Learn Fair' cash‑sanction law, calling it punitive and disproportionate
Summary
Legal‑aid and advocacy groups asked the Joint Committee on Education to repeal "Learn Fair," the law that can cut cash assistance for families whose children have unexcused absences. Witnesses said the rule is administratively burdensome, often inaccurate, and disproportionately affects Hispanic and Spanish‑speaking households.
A multi‑organization panel urged the committee to repeal the so‑called "Learn Fair" law (enforced by the Department of Transitional Assistance), which can reduce cash assistance for families when school attendance records show more than eight unexcused absences in a quarter. Anna Krieger (Massachusetts Advocates for Children) and attorneys from Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and Greater Boston Legal Services described the law as punitive and ineffective.
Panelists said the practical effect is to take limited cash from families already in deep poverty, often for reasons beyond parents' control — including immigration enforcement fears, mental‑health crises, homelessness and trauma. Betsy Gwynn (Massachusetts Law Reform Institute) described administrative inconsistencies: attendance reporting varies by district, and when DTA pursues sanctions it often requires families to document excused absences, creating burdens that advocates said worsen instability.
Tasmia Ahmed said DTA data show Hispanic/Latino and Spanish‑speaking households are overrepresented among those sanctioned. Greater Boston Legal Services presented a case example of a family whose benefits were at risk while a child was in treatment for cancer and experiencing trauma; advocates said the family experienced stigma and administrative burden in proving excused absences. Witnesses urged the committee to repeal the law and redirect administrative effort toward supportive interventions to keep students in school.
No committee vote was recorded during the hearing; witnesses said they would submit written testimony and data.
