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Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts requires dental screenings for public school kindergarteners and mandates district reporting
Last action · March 16, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5234Sponsors: Sean Garballey and 2 others
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What This Bill Would Do
Parents or legal guardians of public school students entering kindergarten must provide certification of a recent dental screening within 30 days of the school year starting. Public schools must notify families about the requirement, and school districts must report screening compliance and dental health data annually by December 31 to the department of public health.
Changes enrollment documentation requirements for families across the Commonwealth and establishes new annual data-reporting mandates for every public school district regarding student oral health and untreated tooth decay.
- Representative Sean Garballey and Representative Christine P. Barber serve in the Massachusetts House of Representatives representing districts in Middlesex County. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
parents and legal guardians of public school pupils
Must provide dental screening certification upon kindergarten entry or submit an exemption, and receive notification letters and information on affordable dental care.
public school districts
Must notify parents regarding screening requirements using a standardized form and submit an annual report to the department of public health by December 31.
department of public health
Must provide information on affordable dental care, create a standardized notification form, build an internet-based reporting application, maintain screening data, and handle aggregate data sharing.
licensed dental professionals
Perform required student dental screenings and record clinical details such as cavities, missing teeth, and treatment urgency on standardized forms.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a family cannot afford or complete the dental screening?
When must school districts submit their annual dental screening reports?
What specific information must be recorded during the student dental screening?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
5 actions- Mar 16, 2026HouseAccompanied a study order, see H5234
- Sep 10, 2025JointHearing rescheduled to 09/10/2025 from 10:00 AM-01:35 PM in B-2 and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>
- Aug 29, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 09/10/2025 from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM in B-2
- Feb 27, 2025SenateSenate concurred
- Feb 27, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to the committee on Public Health
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy30Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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