MA H5176

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must develop policies to promote and expand vocational-technical education programs (Chapter 74) statewide, including increasing awareness among elementary and middle school students

Middle schools must establish "Chapter 74 Access Policies" requiring them to provide vocational schools access to students during school hours, host tours with transportation paid by the vocational school, and share 7th and 8th grade student contact information by October 15 annually

Tours of vocational schools during school hours cannot be counted as unexcused absences, and schools cannot unreasonably deny students access to these tours

Massachusetts School Building Authority membership expands from 17 to 19 members, adding representatives from the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators and Alliance for Vocational Technical Education

Cities and towns may simultaneously belong to a vocational regional school district and another regional school district, and may offer Chapter 74 programs in municipal high schools if the regional vocational school cannot meet demonstrated student and labor market demand