Safe Schools Improvement Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1810
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-07T08:05:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to prevent and address bullying and harassment in public elementary and secondary schools. It seeks to create safer learning environments by requiring schools to adopt specific anti-bullying policies, promote evidence-based interventions, and track incidents, ultimately supporting students' physical, psychological health, and academic success.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Outlines the harms of bullying, including its links to fear, health issues, higher dropout rates, absenteeism, and academic struggles. It defines bullying broadly (e.g., physical, verbal, nonverbal, cyberbullying) and notes its targeting based on traits like race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or intersex characteristics. Emphasizes the benefits of anti-bullying policies, relational aggression (social manipulation), and trauma-informed approaches like Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS, a framework for positive discipline) to avoid harsh punishments.
- New Part G in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA):
- Purpose (Sec. 4701): Targets bullying and harassment in public schools to improve educational participation.
- Anti-Bullying Policies (Sec. 4702): States receiving federal grants under ESEA Title IV must require local educational agencies (LEAs, like school districts) to:
- Develop policies prohibiting bullying that limits learning or creates a hostile environment (verbal, nonverbal, or physical).
- Explicitly ban harassment based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex traits), disability, religion, or associations with protected groups; states/LEAs can add other categories.
- Provide annual notices to students, parents, and staff about prohibited conduct and grievance procedures (including complaint contacts and resolution timelines).
- Collect and publicly report anonymous annual data on incidents at school and district levels.
- State Reports (Sec. 4703): States must submit biennial reports to the U.S. Secretary of Education on LEA data and plans to support anti-bullying efforts.
- Evaluation (Sec. 4704): The Secretary conducts independent biennial evaluations of programs, including their effectiveness in reducing bullying and involving parents. The Commissioner of Education Statistics collects reviewed data on incidents. Reports are due to the President and Congress starting January 1, 2026, every two years.
- Effect on Other Laws (Sec. 4705): Adds to, but does not replace, existing federal anti-discrimination laws (e.g., Title VI for race, Title IX for sex, Section 504/ADA for disabilities). Preserves free speech protections under other federal laws.
- Rule of Construction (Sec. 4706): Allows states and localities to enact stronger anti-bullying laws if consistent with this act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) by adding a new Part G, integrating anti-bullying requirements into federal education funding (Title IV grants).
- Expands protections beyond current ESEA provisions by mandating comprehensive, enumerated policies on bullying/harassment, including emerging categories like gender identity and intersex traits, which build on but are more specific than general civil rights laws.
- Introduces mandatory data collection, reporting, and federal evaluations—previously optional or inconsistent across states—tying compliance to grant eligibility without creating new funding streams.
- Promotes restorative, trauma-informed practices over exclusionary discipline (e.g., suspensions), shifting from punitive approaches in some existing school policies.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: State education agencies and LEAs must implement and report on policies, increasing administrative workload but potentially qualifying for more Title IV funds. The U.S. Department of Education gains oversight through evaluations and data collection, fostering national consistency in school safety.
- Citizens: Students may experience fewer incidents of bullying, leading to better attendance, mental health, and academic outcomes; victims gain clearer reporting paths. Parents and educators receive training and notices, enhancing involvement. Perpetrators (often "bully-victims" with trauma) could access supportive interventions, reducing pathways to juvenile justice.
- International Relations: No direct impact; the bill focuses on domestic public education.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Students: Primary beneficiaries (victims protected) and subjects (perpetrators addressed), especially those targeted for race, sex, disability, or LGBTQ+ traits.
- Parents and Families: Empowered through notices, grievances, and involvement in school efforts.
- Educators and School Staff: Required to enforce policies, intervene, and report data; benefit from reduced disruptions.
- Local Educational Agencies (School Districts): Must develop and publicize policies, collect data, and handle complaints.
- State Education Agencies: Oversee compliance and submit reports.
- Federal Department of Education: Conducts evaluations and compiles national data.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on civil rights, LGBTQ+ youth, disabilities, or school safety may influence or monitor implementation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement of anti-discrimination laws by integrating them into school funding conditions, providing additional remedies without overriding existing ones (e.g., Title IX lawsuits remain available). Ensures anonymity in data reporting to protect privacy.
- Constitutional: Explicitly safeguards free speech/expression rights, avoiding conflicts with First Amendment protections; focuses on conduct disrupting education rather than ideas.
- Political: Promotes inclusive, evidence-based school policies amid debates on discipline and identity protections; bipartisan sponsorship (over 50 cosponsors from both parties) suggests broad support, but could spark discussions on federal overreach into local education or implementation costs. Allows state flexibility, balancing national standards with local control.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
Cosponsors (191)
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] and 141 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Safe Schools Improvement Act — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (9 pages)