Section 56.02 - Commissioner's Authority to Suspend, Extend, or Waive Timelines and Due Dates in Regulations Due to COVID-19 State of EmergencyNotwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the regulations of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, 603 CMR 1.00 through 55.00, and as a result of the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, and the Governor's March 10, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency and subsequent executive orders affecting public and private elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth:
(1) During the time the Governor's March 10, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency is in effect, the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education may, for good cause arising from the state of emergency and the closure of schools, suspend, extend, or waive any timeline or due date in 603 CMR 1.00 through 55.00, to the extent permitted by state and federal law. Such actions by the Commissioner may remain in effect until 45 days after the termination of the Governor's March 10, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency or until such further time as specified by the Commissioner in notifications made pursuant to 603 CMR 56.00, but in no case longer than 90 days beyond the termination of said declaration.(2) The Commissioner shall provide prior written notice to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education of all such suspensions, extensions, or waivers or regulatory timelines or due dates. The Commissioner shall notify the public of all such actions by posting notice on the website of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Said notices shall include the effective date and anticipated end date of the suspension, extension, or waiver of the regulatory timeline or due date.Adopted by Mass Register Issue 1415, eff. 4/3/2020.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1422, eff. 4/3/2020.