A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
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 READ Act authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide payments to State educational agencies following a declared major disaster or emergency. These funds are intended to help local educational agencies and non-public schools provide immediate services or assistance. Priority is given to schools that were closed or not used for instruction for 30 or more days. The bill covers various needs such as data recovery, information systems, and instructional materials. It also ensures that non-public schools receive an equitable amount of assistance.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Does this put more money into public schools?
The bill authorizes $200,000,000 annually to help local educational agencies recover from disasters through data recovery, equipment replacement, and facility repairs.
- Scored +7
Would children be better off under this?
The bill helps ensure continuity of education and support services for school-aged children following a disaster.
- Scored +7
Would students be better off under this?
The bill provides essential resources for students to return to learning environments after a major emergency.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Immediate School Restart Support: The bill allows for the recovery of student and personnel data, replacement of information systems, and the replacement of instructional materials and equipment to help schools get running again (Section 2(a) and 2(d)(1)).
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Help with Educational Continuity: Funds can be used for redeveloping instructional plans, initiating education and support services, and providing reasonable transportation costs (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Flexible Educational Spaces: Assistance can cover the rental of mobile educational units and the leasing of neutral sites or spaces to accommodate students (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Facility Improvements: Schools can use the funds for facility and equipment repairs and minor renovations (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Equitable Support for Non-Public Schools: The act requires that educational services and assistance provided for non-public school students be equitable in comparison to the benefits provided for public school students (Section 2(b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Infrastructure: Funds cannot be used for the construction or major renovation of schools (Section 2(d)(3)(A)).
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Strict Content Requirements: All services, assistance, equipment, and materials provided must be secular, neutral, and nonideological (Section 2(d)(3)(B)).
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Repayment Risks: If a school receives assistance from this bill and later receives benefits from another source for the same purpose, they must agree to repay the duplicative Federal assistance (Section 2(e)(2)(B)).
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 children be better off under this? — The bill helps ensure continuity of education and support services for school-aged children following a disaster. Would students be better off under this? — The bill provides essential resources for students to return to learning environments after a major emergency.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill authorizes $200,000,000 annually to help local educational agencies recover from disasters through data recovery, equipment replacement, and facility repairs. Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill allows funds to be used for the recovery of electronic information and the replacement of school district information systems.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill provides supplemental funding for schools to recover and restart operations following a declared major disaster or emergency.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill includes provisions for the rental of mobile educational units and leasing of neutral sites to accommodate students.
- 1/27/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana