Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 15D, § 12A

(b) The performance standards shall include, but not be limited to: (i) benchmarks and goals for supporting children's social, emotional and behavioral development to (A) reduce the use of expulsion as a disciplinary tool; (B) guidance on eliminating disparities in the use of suspension and expulsion, (C) facilitate referrals for children with intensive needs; and (D) establish programs to provide transitional support for children returning to early education and care programming after extended absences, including behavioral health-related absences; (ii) engagement steps to be taken with the child and parent or guardian prior to suspension or expulsion; (iii) requirements for communicating disciplinary policies, including suspension and expulsion policies, to staff, families, guardians and community partners; (iv) pathways for programs to access technical assistance through the statewide program established in section 16EE of chapter 6A to support ongoing development of staff and teacher skills for supporting children's social, emotional and behavioral development, reducing disparities and limiting the use of suspension and expulsion; and (v) requirements for assessing and documenting a serious ongoing threat to the safety of others.