Massachusetts · 194th Legislature (2025-2026) · Proposed Bill
HD 4071: 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
HD 4071 is a proposed 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 17 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (February 27, 2025): Senate concurred.
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 14 · 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 |
| 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
- Senate concurred
- Referred to the committee on Education