EDUCATION

The following includes a list of the education bills my office has filed in 2025-2026. In addition to these bills, I have cosponsored many others. Please click on the bill name to read the full text.

An Act ensuring high quality pre-kindergarten education

This bill establishes a High-Quality Pre-Kindergarten Education Grant Program to support the implementation of high-quality early education programs for children aged 2 years and 9 months until kindergarten eligibility. The grants will be awarded to school districts or regional collaborations to reduce the achievement gap and improve third-grade reading scores. Applicants must meet several criteria, including tracking systems, teacher qualifications, inclusive practices, and evidence-based curricula. The Department of Early Education and Care will oversee the program and evaluate its effectiveness annually, with an emphasis on expanding access for high-need children and districts.

An Act to establish comprehensive rights and career advancement for contingent faculty in public higher education

This bill aims to establish comprehensive rights and career advancement opportunities for contingent faculty in public higher education. It focuses on improving job security, access to professional development, and equitable compensation for contingent faculty members. The bill also ensures that contingent faculty have a voice in academic governance and access to benefits comparable to full-time faculty. By improving working conditions and advancing career paths, the bill seeks to strengthen the role of contingent faculty in public colleges and universities.

An Act relative to safer schools

This bill amends existing laws to regulate the use of school resource officers (SROs), explicitly prohibiting them from serving as disciplinarians or addressing non-violent student behavior using police powers. It requires school districts to report data on school-related arrests, citations, and law enforcement interactions, along with the costs of assigned officers and security staff. The bill also provides grants to schools for transitioning to holistic health and safety practices that reduce reliance on law enforcement, with a focus on restorative justice and community engagement. The grants support staff training, safety plan development, and data evaluation while excluding the hiring of security personnel or purchasing of surveillance equipment.

An act relative to ensuring health care options at institutions of higher education

This bill aims to provide smaller institutions of higher education with access to affordable healthcare options by enabling them to purchase coverage through the Health Connector. It ensures that these institutions, which may struggle with providing healthcare for their students and employees, can participate in a broader insurance pool. The bill helps promote cost-effective healthcare solutions while expanding access for institutions that may not otherwise be able to afford competitive plans. By connecting smaller institutions to the Health Connector, it seeks to improve overall health coverage for those in higher education.