To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to State educational agencies to carry out wellness programs for school personnel, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8676
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-07: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T19:33:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to authorize federal grants for wellness programs aimed at improving the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of school personnel, such as teachers, principals, and support staff. The goal is to create healthier work environments, boost job satisfaction, and increase staff retention.
Key Provisions
- Funding Authorization: Authorizes appropriations (funding) for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 under ESEA Section 2003, specifically for new wellness grants.
- Grants Structure:
- The Secretary of Education awards competitive 5-year grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) (state-level education departments).
- SEAs award subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) (school districts).
- Priority for grants/subgrants goes to SEAs/LEAs facing educator shortages or serving high-need student populations (e.g., low-income or underserved students).
- Application Requirements:
- SEAs must describe workforce challenges (e.g., stress, retention), consult with LEAs, and plan evaluations.
- LEAs must detail local challenges, program plans, and evaluation methods.
- Uses of Funds: LEAs use subgrants to develop or enhance wellness programs in schools, focusing on:
- Stress management.
- Workplace conditions and workload.
- Access to support.
- Job satisfaction and retention.
- Reporting:
- SEAs submit annual reports (years 1-4) and a final report after 5 years to Congress and the Secretary, covering program implementation, retention/vacancy rates, school climate surveys, and best practices.
- LEAs report summaries of their programs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Extends and Updates Funding: Replaces expired authorizations (e.g., fiscal years 2017-2020/2022) with new ones for 2026-2030.
- Expands Local Fund Uses: Adds wellness programs as a new allowable use (Section 2103(b)(3)(Q)) for existing ESEA Title II funds.
- New Program Creation: Inserts Part C (Wellness Programs for School Personnel) into ESEA Title II (Sections 2250-2252), redesignating the prior Part C as Part D.
- Enhances Reporting: Requires new reporting on wellness programs in Section 2104.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: U.S. Department of Education gains responsibility for grant administration, technical assistance, and data analysis; SEAs/LEAs handle program delivery and reporting, potentially increasing administrative workload.
- Citizens/Schools: School personnel may experience improved well-being and higher retention rates, leading to more stable staffing and potentially better student outcomes; benefits all school staff in funded districts.
- No notable international relations impacts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- School Personnel: Teachers, principals, school leaders, instructional support staff, and paraprofessionals (primary beneficiaries).
- Educational Agencies: SEAs, LEAs, and the Secretary of Education.
- Students and Schools: Indirectly, through stabilized staffing and improved school environments, especially in high-need areas.
- Congress: Receives reports for oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward amendment to ESEA; competitive grants maintain federalism by empowering states and locals; no new mandates on non-participating entities.
- Constitutional: Aligns with federal spending power for education; no apparent free speech, privacy, or equal protection issues.
- Political: Addresses educator burnout and shortages (e.g., via priorities for shortage areas); promotes data-driven improvements through evaluations and reports, potentially influencing future education policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-07: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-05-07: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to State educational agencies to carry out wellness programs for school personnel, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-05-07 — PDF (11 pages)