Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 82 (2026)

Public secondary schools; right of students to freedom of expression; limitations; definitions

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 82. The right of students to freedom of expression in the public schools of the commonwealth shall not be abridged, provided that such right shall not cause any disruption or disorder within the school. Freedom of expression shall include without limitation, the rights and responsibilities of students, collectively and individually, (a) to express their views through speech and symbols, (b) to write, publish and disseminate their views, (c) to assemble peaceably on school property for the purpose of expressing their opinions. Any assembly planned by students during regularly scheduled school hours shall be held only at a time and place approved in advance by the school principal or his designee.

No expression made by students in the exercise of such rights shall be deemed to be an expression of school policy and no school officials shall be held responsible in any civil or criminal action for any expression made or published by the students.

For the purposes of this section and sections eighty-three to eighty-five, inclusive, the word student shall mean any person attending a public secondary school in the commonwealth. The word school official shall mean any member or employee of the local school committee.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 9 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1994–2021 · leading case: Pyle v. Sch. Comm., 423 Mass. 283 (Mass. 1996).

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Pyle v. Sch. Comm., 423 Mass. 283 (Mass. 1996). · cites it 5× “of South Hadley, the interim superintendent of schools of South Hadley, and the interim principal of South Hadley High School (school) in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Federal District Court), claiming that the school’s dress code violates…”

Westfield High Sch. L.I.F.E. Club v. City of Westfield, 249 F. Supp. 2d 98 (D. Mass. 2003). · cites it 6× “322 (1926), and violate the Massachusetts Students’ Freedom of Expression Law, see Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 82 . Each of these legal grounds implicate, in one way or another, the principles articulated in Tinker v.”

Yeo v. Town of Lexington, 131 F.3d 241 (1st Cir. 1997). · cites it 3× “Here, the state statute, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 82 , appears to have been intended, in part, to express Massachusetts’ policy judgment that student editors of high school publications generally have editorial autonomy from school officials and that their decisions are not…”

Pyle by & Through Pyle v. SO. HADLEY Sch. COM., 861 F. Supp. 157 (D. Mass. 1994). · cites it 3× “Effect of Mass.Gen.L. ch. 71, § 82 Mass.Gen.L. ch. 71, § 82 provides: The rights of students to freedom of expression in the public schools of the commonwealth shall not be abridged, provided that such right shall not cause any disruption or disorder within the school.”

Bowler v. Town of Hudson, 514 F. Supp. 2d 168 (D. Mass. 2007). · cites it 3× “The Massachusetts Education Reform Act Plaintiffs also bring a claim under M.G.L. c. 71 § 82, which provides that The right of students to freedom of expression in the public schools of the commonwealth shall not be abridged, provided that such right shall not cause any…”

Doe v. Hopkinton Pub. Schs. (1st Cir. 2021). · cites it 3× “They further argued that the "emotional harm" prong of Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37O is unconstitutional.”

Doe ex rel. Doe v. Yunits, 15 Mass. L. Rptr. 278 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2001). · cites it 5× “Count I of the complaint, alleging violation of Doe’s right to freedom of expression in the public schools guaranteed under G.L.c. 71, §82; 4 Count II of the complaint, alleging violation of Doe’s right to personal dress and appearance guaranteed under G.”

Doe v. Cavanaugh (D. Mass. 2020). “school, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 82 . See Am. Compl.”

Doe ex rel. Doe v. Winchendon Sch. Comm., 18 Mass. L. Rptr. 53 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2004). “G.L.c. 71, §82 (“The right of students to freedom of expression in the public schools of the commonwealth shall not be abridged, provided that such right shall not cause any disruption or disorder within the school”).”

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