MA H4297

Mandates an additional 1% of Chapter 70 funding be allocated exclusively for new arts education programs in dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts beginning in fiscal year 2026

Requires 80% of district-level funds go toward salaries for newly hired certified arts educators, with the remaining 20% available for professional development, supplies, equipment, and extracurricular arts programs

Prohibits funds from supplanting existing arts programs or faculty, and bars using the allocation to replace sunsetting federal funding or previously cut positions

Creates three new full-time DESE positions for oversight, including at least one additional arts content specialist, and establishes a grant program for school-arts organization partnerships

Authorizes DESE to withhold Chapter 70 funds from non-compliant districts and to grant one-year waivers for districts facing certified arts educator shortages