Bills Introduced in the 117th Congress Addressing School Discipline

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Last Updated September 2, 2022

 

 

 

For schools and Head Start programs that receive federal funding, KASSA “prohibits the use of seclusion and limits the use of physical restraint.” Definitions of “seclusion” and “physical restraint” are included in the text of the bill.

The House bill is sponsored by Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-VA) and cosponsored by 112 Democratic Representatives. The Senate bill is sponsored by Sen. Christopher Murphy (D-CT) and is cosponsored by 18 Democratic Senators and 1 Independent Senator.

The House bill was referred to the Education and Labor Committee as well as the Armed Services Committee, while the Senate bill was referred to the HELP Committee.

KASSA is supported by numerous organizations, including disability rights, education advocates, and civil rights organizations.

 

POSSA would prohibit the “use of corporal punishment in schools that receive federal funding” and create a grant program to “implement positive behavioral interventions and supports to address student behavior and reduce exclusionary and aversive discipline practices.”

The House bill is sponsored by Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA) and is cosponsored by 30 Democratic Representatives. It was referred to the House Education and Labor Committee and the Armed Services Committee.

In the Senate, the bill is sponsored by Sen. Christopher Murphy (D-CT) and is cosponsored by 3 Democratic Senators. It has been referred to the Senate HELP Committee.

POSSA is supported by numerous organizations, including the National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, The Education Trust, and American Psychological Association.

 

CNC “prohibits the use of federal funds for law enforcement officers in schools. It also establishes a grant program to replace law enforcement officers in schools with personnel and services that support mental health and trauma-informed services.”

In the House, this bill is sponsored by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and cosponsored by 16 Democratic Representatives. It has been referred to the House Education and Labor Committee and the Judiciary Committee.

In the Senate, the bill is sponsored by Sen. Christopher Murphy (D-CT) and is cosponsored by 10 Democratic Senators. It has been referred to the Senate HELP Committee.

CNC is supported by numerous organizations, including CLASP’s New Deal for Youth Changemakers, Children’s Defense Fund, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and Young Voices.

 

The bill requires the Department of Education to carry out annual data collection, disaggregated and cross tabulated, with respect to the use of suspension, expulsion, out-of-school transfer, and referral to law enforcement in schools. It also establishes a competitive grant to reduce “the overuse and discriminatory use of exclusionary discipline practices in schools.”

The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and cosponsored by 14 Democratic Representatives. It was referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.