Waltham Delegation Pass Bill Helping Schools Amid COVID-19 Crisis

BOSTON – Rep. Stanley, Rep. Lawn and Sen. Barrett, along with their colleagues in the Massachusetts House and Senate, passed legislation that supports those experiencing homelessness and provides testing and budgetary flexibility to school districts.

“This legislation helps a wide range of individuals deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Stanley. “Whether it's aiding our cities and towns with the needs of their school districts, to helping homeless providers have greater flexibility in protecting those most in need, the Legislature is working hard to assist those most affected by this public health crisis.”

“By addressing education testing, housing assistance and the MBTA budget, the House and Senate are building on the steps we’ve already taken to facilitate municipal governance and make unemployment benefits more accessible,” said Rep. Lawn. “There is still much more to be done, and we must continue to work together to help ease the burden on the Commonwealth’s residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

This latest relief package known as An Act to Further Address Challenges Faced by Municipalities, School Districts and State authorities Resulting from COVID-19, includes the following components.

Student Requirements and District Operations. To address disruptions caused by the closure of K-12 schools due to COVID-19, the legislation waives the MCAS requirements for the 2019-2020 academic year and allows DESE to modify or waive competency determination requirements related to high school graduation.

In order to comply with measures under the newly implemented Student Opportunity Act, the legislation would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Commissioner to extend the deadlines for school districts to submit their three-year plans to address educational disparities in student subgroups. This deadline shall be extended to May 15, 2020, or later, as determined by the Commissioner.

The legislation also provides budgetary flexibility for regional school as a result of COVID-19.

Helping Vulnerable Populations. In keeping with the Legislature’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, the legislation repurposes existing homelessness funds that currently support services that can’t be provided due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The legislation redirects funding to address immediate and critical homelessness needs resulting from the public health emergency.

MBTA Budget Flexibility. The legislation also provides the MBTA additional budgetary flexibility amid the COVID-19 emergency.

The bill, which is the latest action by the Legislature to address the COVID-19 public health crisis and its effects on Massachusetts, was signed into law by the Governor on April 11.