Bill > HR2739

This bill aims to redirect federal funding away from police presence in schools and toward evidence-based, trauma-informed services that support marginalized students. Specifically, the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act would prohibit federal funds from being used to hire, maintain, or train law enforcement officers in schools, highlighting significant disparities in how students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ students are disciplined and policed. The bill establishes a competitive grant program that would help local educational agencies transition away from having police in schools by providing funds to hire mental health professionals, counselors, social workers, and other support personnel, and to implement positive behavioral intervention programs and professional development focused on creating safer, more inclusive learning environments. The legislation is motivated by data showing that the presence of police in schools does not improve safety and instead increases the likelihood of student arrests, with Black, Native American, and Latino students facing disproportionately high rates of disciplinary action and law enforcement involvement. The bill seeks to transform school safety approaches by prioritizing student mental health, emotional support, and community-driven solutions over criminalization, with an initial authorization of $5 billion to support these efforts.

Education

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2739/all-info