A Democratic bill with 12 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act aims to redirect Federal funding away from the presence of police in schools and toward evidence-based, trauma-informed services. It prohibits the use of Federal funds for hiring, maintaining, or training law enforcement officers within school programs. To achieve this, the bill establishes a competitive grant program for local educational agencies to replace police with mental health and support personnel. These agencies must demonstrate they have terminated existing law enforcement contracts or disbanded school police departments before receiving funds. The ultimate goal is to improve academic outcomes and create safe, inclusive environments for all students, particularly marginalized groups.
Yes· 3 of 21
- Scored +8
Would children be better off under this?
The bill focuses on creating safer, more supportive school environments for children.
- Scored +8
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill aims to reduce the disproportionate arrest rates of Black students in schools.
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill targets the higher likelihood of Native American students being arrested in schools.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
The bill seeks to reduce the use of surveillance equipment like cameras and facial recognition in schools.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill reallocates existing funding away from law enforcement toward educational services, which may change how federal funds are distributed.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Student Support Services: The bill provides funds to hire and train personnel such as school counselors, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and "credible messengers" to address student needs (Section 6, subsection d).
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Addressing Racial and Disability Disparities: The legislation targets the disproportionate arrest and discipline rates faced by Black, Native American, Latino, LGBTQI+, and students with disabilities by focusing on trauma-informed care rather than punitive measures (Section 2, findings; Section 6, subsection d, paragraph 2, subparagraph v).
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Enhanced School Climate: By prioritizing evidence-based, positive behavioral interventions and restorative justice, the bill seeks to create safer and more inclusive learning environments (Section 3, purpose; Section 6, subsection d, paragraph 2, subparagraph a).
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Mental Health and Safety Focus: The bill emphasizes the importance of physical, psychological, and emotional safety through the implementation of trauma-informed services (Section 4, definition of trauma-informed services).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Requirements for Funding: To qualify for grants, local educational agencies must first terminate existing law enforcement contracts or dissolve district-based police departments, which could disrupt current school security arrangements (Section 6, subsection b).
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Prohibition on Certain Security Measures: The bill prohibits the use of grant funds for the purchase or maintenance of surveillance equipment like metal detectors, surveillance cameras, or facial recognition technology (Section 6, subsection e, paragraph 2).
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Restriction on Staffing Choices: The act explicitly prohibits using the allocated grant funds for arming teachers, principals, or other school personnel (Section 6, subsection e, paragraph 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill aims to reduce the disproportionate arrest rates of Black students in schools. Would children be better off under this? — The bill focuses on creating safer, more supportive school environments for children. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill targets the higher likelihood of Native American students being arrested in schools. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill targets the disproportionate use of restraint and seclusion for students with disabilities. Would students be better off under this? — The bill shifts school resources toward mental health and trauma-informed support for all students. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill seeks to address racial disparities and reduce the policing of Latino students. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — The bill includes specific protections and support for LGBTQI+ students. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill aims to prevent schools from sharing information with immigration authorities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes funding for agencies with a higher share of economically disadvantaged students. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides mental health and social supports that benefit high school-aged students.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill aims to reduce the disproportionate arrest and discipline rates faced by Black, Latino, and Native American students. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill targets the disproportionate use of restraint and seclusion faced by students with disabilities. Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people? — The bill specifically identifies LGBTQI+ students as a group that benefits from trauma-informed services over criminalization. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill reduces the presence of law enforcement in schools to decrease student criminalization.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires local educational agencies to submit annual public reports on the use of funds and student discipline data. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill addresses privacy concerns related to student surveillance and data monitoring. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal oversight and conditional funding requirements for local educational agencies.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill provides $5 billion in authorized funding to support mental health and trauma-informed services in schools. Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill includes provisions for reporting on software that monitors student technology use to ensure privacy oversight.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill directs significant funding toward school-based mental health services, counselors, and psychologists.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The bill seeks to reduce the use of surveillance equipment like cameras and facial recognition in schools.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds the creation of new positions for counselors, social workers, and mental health professionals in schools. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill reallocates existing funding away from law enforcement toward educational services, which may change how federal funds are distributed.
- 10/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/8/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 10 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDemocrat · New York
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey