Christopher Murphy (D-CT)
Protecting our Students in Schools Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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
This bill, titled the Protecting our Students in Schools Act of 2026, bans the use of corporal punishment in any school or program that receives Federal financial assistance. It prohibits program personnel, law enforcement officers, and school security guards from inflicting physical pain, striking, paddling, or using chemical sprays or stun guns on students for disciplinary purposes. The bill sets up enforcement mechanisms through the Attorney General and the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. It also mandates that parents, State educational agencies, and local law enforcement be notified in writing within 24 hours if a student is subjected to corporal punishment. Additionally, the legislation establishes grant programs for States and local educational agencies to improve school climate and culture by using positive behavioral supports instead of harsh discipline.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +7
Would children be better off under this?
The legislation explicitly bans corporal punishment in federally funded educational programs, protecting children from physical pain inflicted as discipline.
- Scored +7
Would students be better off under this?
Students across federally funded programs benefit directly from the ban on physical punishment and the implementation of positive behavioral supports.
- Scored +6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill mandates 24-hour notification to protection and advocacy systems when a student with a disability is subjected to corporal punishment, offering critical safeguards for vulnerable youth.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Ban on Corporal Punishment: Section 101 explicitly stops program personnel, law enforcement officers, and school security guards from using corporal punishment on any student in federally funded programs, protecting children from physical pain inflicted as discipline.
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Civil and Legal Rights for Families: Sections 101 and 102 give students and parents the right to file civil lawsuits or request that the Attorney General step in to address violations, giving everyday families real tools to hold schools accountable.
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Mandatory Parent Notification: Section 104 requires schools to notify parents, State educational agencies, and local law enforcement in writing within 24 hours if a student is subjected to corporal punishment, keeping families immediately informed about what happens to their children.
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Special Protections and Oversight for Students with Disabilities: Section 104 requires schools to notify protection and advocacy systems within 24 hours if a student with a disability is subjected to corporal punishment, ensuring vulnerable children have specialized outside advocates looking out for them.
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Funding for Positive School Environments: Section 202 authorizes grants to help States and local educational agencies implement positive behavioral interventions, restorative justice, trauma-informed care, and staff training, which helps schools support students without relying on harmful disciplinary practices.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Loss of Federal Funds for Schools: Section 103 allows the Secretary of Education to withhold federal education payments from a program that fails to comply with the corporal punishment ban, which could temporarily strain resources for a school district and impact the broader student body until compliance is met.
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State and Local Administrative Burdens: Section 201 requires State and local educational agencies to submit detailed school climate reports, written assurances, and data on discipline practices on a strict schedule, which places extra administrative and paperwork burdens on local school systems.
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 legislation explicitly bans corporal punishment in federally funded educational programs, protecting children from physical pain inflicted as discipline. Would students be better off under this? — Students across federally funded programs benefit directly from the ban on physical punishment and the implementation of positive behavioral supports. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill mandates 24-hour notification to protection and advocacy systems when a student with a disability is subjected to corporal punishment, offering critical safeguards for vulnerable youth. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The legislation addresses and seeks to reduce the disproportionate use of harsh and corporal discipline practices against Black students.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill creates private rights of action and mandatory 24-hour parent notifications when students are subjected to corporal punishment, strengthening procedural accountability. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation requires states and local educational agencies to submit detailed school climate reports and make disciplinary data publicly available. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight by establishing enforcement mechanisms through the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights and the Attorney General.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The legislation provides specialized protections, mandatory notification of advocacy systems, and oversight for students with disabilities who are disproportionately subjected to physical discipline. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — By banning corporal punishment, which disproportionately affects students of color, and requiring disaggregated reporting, the bill helps narrow racial discipline gaps. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By reducing harsh exclusionary discipline and promoting supportive school environments, the bill helps keep vulnerable students in class and on track for better economic outcomes.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill authorizes new grant funding for state and local educational agencies to implement positive behavioral interventions and improve school climate.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill provides grant funding for positive behavioral supports, trauma-informed care, and crisis de-escalation training that enhance mental health support in schools.
- 9/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
6 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.
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland