Discrimination & Harassment

UPDATE TO REGULATIONS - JANUARY 10, 2025Kentucky Court Vacates 2024 Title IX Regulations

On January 10, 2025, the United States District Court located in Kentucky ‘set aside’ the 2024 Title IX regulations (from the Biden Administration). Essentially the court sided with four states who had sued the Department of Education asking the court to vacate the 2024 regulations. This decision impacts not just those states, but the regulations at a national level. You can read more details about this ruling by clicking here to access an education alert provided by the law office of Murphy, Hesse, Toomey, & Lehane LLP.

So what does this ruling mean for our district? This decision does not overturn Title IX -discrimination on the basis of sex is still prohibited under Title IX. We still need to be in compliance with Title IX regulations - those that were in effect prior to August 1, 2024 (the 2020 regulations). We are currently working with our school committee and legal counsel to reinstate previous policies and procedures and will also look for further guidance from DESE.  (The policy and grievance procedure currently posted on this page reflect the 2024 regulations and will be updated soon).

Please note - while this decision limited some of the LGBTW+ students groups that are eligible to file a sexual harassment/discrimination complaint under Title IX, Massachusetts does currently have laws in place that protect individuals from discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity; this decision changes the mechanism under which the complaints would be investigated and addressed.

Any questions related to the January 10th decision can be directed to gburboareese@nmrsd.org