Saving Students with Software Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3510
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-21T19:44:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Saving Students with Software Act" (H.R. 3510) aims to support the use of technology in schools to prevent student suicides. It directs the U.S. Department of Education to create a grant program that helps cover the costs of specialized software for elementary and secondary schools.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Grant Program: Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of Education must set up a program to award grants to states for funding suicide prevention software in schools.
- Eligibility and Applications: States must submit applications with details and assurances as required by the Secretary to receive grants. The term "state" includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and possessions, and federally recognized Indian tribes.
- Software Definition: "Suicide prevention software" refers to programs installed on school-provided devices (like computers or tablets) that monitor student inputs and alert school staff if words or phrases related to self-harm or suicide are detected.
- School Definitions: "Elementary school" and "secondary school" use standard definitions from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, covering K-12 education.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new federal grant program, which does not amend or alter any specific existing laws. It builds on definitions from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act but creates a standalone initiative focused on technology for mental health support in schools.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Education will need to allocate resources to administer the grant program, including reviewing applications and distributing funds, potentially increasing administrative workload.
- On Citizens: Students in elementary and secondary schools may benefit from early detection of suicide risks, potentially reducing self-harm incidents. Schools gain financial assistance to implement protective technology, improving access to mental health tools without full cost burden.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. education systems.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States and Local Education Agencies: Eligible to apply for and receive grants to fund software implementation.
- Schools and Educators: Elementary and secondary schools will use the software on student devices, with staff receiving alerts to intervene in potential crises.
- Students: Primary beneficiaries, as the software targets early identification of self-harm risks.
- U.S. Department of Education: Responsible for program oversight, application processes, and fund distribution.
- Federally Recognized Indian Tribes and Territories: Included as eligible "states," ensuring broader geographic coverage.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: The bill relies on established federal education definitions, ensuring consistency with broader school funding laws. It emphasizes voluntary state participation through grants, avoiding mandates on schools.
- Constitutional Implications: No apparent conflicts with constitutional principles, such as federalism (grants respect state autonomy) or privacy rights, though the monitoring aspect of the software could raise future questions about student data protection under laws like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, which protects student records).
- Political Implications: Addresses growing concerns about youth mental health and suicide prevention, potentially influencing education policy debates by promoting technology-based solutions in schools. As an introduced bill, its passage could signal bipartisan interest in student safety without partisan overtones in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-05-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Saving Students with Software Act — issued 2025-05-20 — PDF (3 pages)