Pay Paraprofessionals and Support Staff Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7032
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-13: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-02T14:47:02Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Pay Paraprofessionals and Support Staff Act" (H.R. 7032) aims to guarantee that paraprofessionals (such as teaching aides) and education support staff (like bus drivers or librarians) in public schools receive a living wage. It recognizes these workers as essential to the education system and seeks to provide fair compensation adjusted for cost-of-living differences, while promoting safe conditions and professional respect.
Key Provisions
- Definitions and Minimum Pay Standards:
- States set a minimum annual base salary for full-time paraprofessionals and support staff, starting at $45,000 for fiscal years (FY) 2026–2030, increasing with experience.
- For part-time staff, states set a minimum hourly wage starting at $30 for FY 2026–2030, also increasing with experience.
- After FY 2030, these amounts adjust every five years based on the greater of inflation (measured by the Consumer Price Index) or a 2% increase.
- Pay must exceed federal or state minimum wage laws and account for regional cost-of-living variations.
- Funding and Appropriations:
- Authorizes $25 billion for FY 2026, with annual increases tied to inflation; funds come from general Treasury appropriations to the Department of Education (ED).
- ED reserves up to 1% for research on professional development (e.g., training for special education or English learners) and 1% for administration and technical assistance.
- Remaining funds are allotted to states based on their prior-year share of Title I funding (federal aid for low-income schools under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or ESEA).
- State Grants and Requirements:
- States apply to ED with a four-year timeline to meet minimum pay standards, including annual goals for wage increases starting in the second year of funding.
- States prioritize subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs, like school districts) serving high numbers of low-income students, requiring them to comply within two years.
- States may reserve up to 2% of grants for administration, technical assistance, and staff training.
- Local Educational Agency (LEA) Subgrants:
- States must subgrant at least 98% of funds to LEAs (including charter schools).
- LEAs use funds primarily to meet state minimum pay requirements for full- and part-time staff, including those under contracts (e.g., outsourced services).
- Additional uses include raising pay for other school staff (teachers, principals) or funding training and certifications.
- States monitor LEA compliance.
- Implementation Rules:
- Wages must increase with staff experience.
- Federal funds supplement (add to) state and local education budgets without replacing them (supplement-not-supplant rule).
- No waivers allowed under ESEA provisions.
- Does not interfere with collective bargaining (union negotiations) but requires compliance during talks.
- Allows extra pay for skills, bonuses, or other incentives beyond base salary.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces the first federal minimum salary and wage floors specifically for paraprofessionals and support staff, building on but exceeding general minimum wage laws.
- Creates a new dedicated funding stream outside existing ESEA programs, with mandatory state timelines and LEA subgrant formulas prioritizing equity for low-income areas.
- Prohibits waivers that could bypass requirements, ensuring uniform enforcement.
- Ties adjustments to inflation or a minimum growth rate, providing long-term protection against rising costs not present in prior education funding laws.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Education gains new administrative duties for grant oversight, monitoring, and technical assistance, potentially increasing workload. States and LEAs must revise budgets and payroll systems, which could strain resources in underfunded districts but provide new federal aid to offset costs.
- Citizens: Paraprofessionals and support staff (millions nationwide) benefit from higher, predictable pay, improving retention and job satisfaction in education roles. Students, especially in low-income or high-need schools, may see better support services. Taxpayers face indirect costs through federal spending, but the act promotes workforce stability in public education.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic education policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary Beneficiaries: Paraprofessionals, education support staff, and their families, who gain living wages and professional development opportunities.
- Education Entities: LEAs (school districts and charters), states' education departments, and the U.S. Department of Education, which must implement and comply with new pay mandates.
- Students and Communities: Particularly those in low-income areas, who receive prioritized funding and potentially improved school operations.
- Other School Workers: Teachers, principals, and specialized staff, who may see indirect pay increases or training benefits.
- Unions and Labor Groups: Involved in negotiations, with protections for existing agreements.
- Taxpayers and Policymakers: Bear the cost of appropriations while addressing education equity.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces federal involvement in education funding without overriding state authority (states set exact minimums). The supplement-not-supplant rule prevents misuse of funds, and monitoring requirements strengthen enforcement. Collective bargaining protections avoid conflicts with labor laws.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I (to fund public welfare) and does not infringe on states' rights to manage education, as implementation is state-led.
- Political: Highlights equity for undervalued education workers, potentially boosting support for public schools but sparking debates on federal spending and mandates. Could influence future labor policies in education, emphasizing inflation adjustments amid economic pressures. No partisan bias is evident in the bill text, which focuses on practical implementation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
Cosponsors (25)
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-13: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-01-13: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Pay Paraprofessionals and Support Staff Act — issued 2026-01-13 — PDF (16 pages)