MA H717

Establishes a special legislative commission to investigate and study state funding of special education services, examining the Chapter 70 funding formula and the special education circuit breaker program

Commission chaired by the Secretary of Education and includes legislators, education officials, disability advocates, transportation experts, and representatives from teachers unions, school superintendents, school committees, and approved special education schools

All appointments must be made within 90 days of the act's effective date

Commission must recommend changes to Chapter 70 foundation aid calculations for inflation, local contribution requirements and caps, penalties for below-effort localities, and improvements to the circuit breaker program

Final report with proposed legislation due by March 6, 2026, to be submitted to Ways and Means committees, Joint Committee on Education, and published on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website