Massachusetts · 194th Legislature (2025-2026) · Bill
H 558: An Act to promote the inclusion of American Sign Language in the Commonwealth’s public schools, AKA The American Sign Language Inclusion Act
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
H 558 is a bill introduced in the Massachusetts House on February 27, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: An Act to promote the inclusion of American Sign Language in the Commonwealth’s public schools, AKA The American Sign Language Inclusion Act. Primary sponsor: Carol A. Doherty. It lists 18 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (September 2, 2025): Hearing scheduled for 09/16/2025 from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
By Representative Doherty of Taunton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 558) of Carol A. Doherty and others relative to courses in American Sign Language. Education.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 15 · Independent 1 · Republican 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carol A. Doherty | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Dennis Gallagher | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 8th Plymouth |
| Carmine Gentile | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 13th Middlesex |
| Jessica Giannino | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 16th Suffolk |
| Carlos González | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 10th Hampden |
| Jim Hawkins | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 2nd Bristol |
| Natalie Higgins | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 4th Worcester |
| Kristin Kassner | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 2nd Essex |
| David Linsky | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 5th Middlesex |
| Paul McMurtry | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 11th Norfolk |
| Sam Montaño | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 15th Suffolk |
| Jake Oliveira | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester |
| Steve Owens | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 29th Middlesex |
| Lindsay Sabadosa | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 1st Hampshire |
| Dan Sena | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 37th Middlesex |
| Dawne Shand | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 1st Essex |
| Dave Vieira | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 3rd Barnstable |
| Susannah Whipps | Co-sponsor | Independent | House | 2nd Franklin |
| Steve Xiarhos | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 5th Barnstable |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Hearing scheduled for 09/16/2025 from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
- Senate concurred
- Referred to the committee on Education