MA H551

School districts must adopt procedures to notify parents/guardians of changes in services or monitoring related to a student's mental, emotional, or physical health, and must encourage students to discuss well-being issues with parents

School personnel are prohibited from discouraging or withholding information from parents about a student's health or well-being, unless there is reasonable cause to believe disclosure would result in abuse or neglect as defined by the Department of Children and Families

Instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity is prohibited in Kindergarten through Grade 3, and parental permission is required before administering well-being questionnaires or health screenings to K-3 students

Parents must receive annual notification of healthcare services offered at their child's school with the option to withhold consent, and districts must resolve parental concerns within 30 days or provide written reasons for not resolving them

Parents may appeal unresolved concerns to the Commissioner of Education or bring legal action against the district, with courts authorized to award damages, attorney fees, and court costs; the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must update related frameworks and standards by June 30, 2027