Community Schools and Health Equity Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9513
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-29: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T22:58:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation establishes a federal grant program to support the integration of school-based health services into community schools, with the goal of improving health equity for students through expanded access to health care and related support services.
Key Provisions
- The Secretary of Education, working with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, must create a competitive grant program for eligible entities to implement or expand school-based health services.
- Eligible entities include local educational agencies (public school districts), consortia of such agencies, or partnerships involving community organizations, federally qualified health centers, public health agencies, or higher education institutions.
- Grant funds may be used for activities such as:
- Establishing or expanding health services, including partnerships with health centers.
- Hiring and training staff like nurses, mental health professionals, and coordinators.
- Offering wraparound supports including nutrition aid, housing referrals, family engagement, and legal services.
- Addressing social factors affecting health, providing culturally appropriate services for English learners and immigrant families, implementing trauma-informed care, and building health career pathways with colleges.
- Priority in grant awards goes to entities serving high numbers of low-income students, English learners, students with unmet health needs, or those in medically underserved areas, especially those partnering with health centers.
- The two Secretaries must develop a memorandum of understanding to coordinate efforts, reduce administrative burdens, and provide technical assistance.
- Grantees must submit annual reports on students served, health and academic outcomes, with data broken down by income, race, ethnicity, and English learner status where possible.
- The Education Secretary must report to Congress every three years on program effectiveness and best practices for linking education and health systems.
- The bill includes a rule of construction preserving existing federal privacy laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The Act creates a new grant program focused on combining health services with community schools. It does not amend or replace prior statutes but adds coordination requirements between the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. No existing programs are directly altered.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Department of Education in grant administration and reporting, and requires ongoing coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Citizens: May improve health access and support for students in participating schools, particularly those from low-income or immigrant backgrounds, potentially affecting attendance and academic performance.
- No direct effects on international relations are addressed.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Local educational agencies and community schools.
- Students and families, especially low-income students, English learners, and those in underserved areas.
- Federally qualified health centers, public health agencies, and community organizations.
- Institutions of higher education involved in partnerships.
- Federal agencies (Education and Health and Human Services) responsible for implementation and oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation emphasizes data privacy protections by explicitly not changing federal privacy rules. It introduces no apparent constitutional issues. Politically, it promotes interagency collaboration on education and health without mandating new regulatory authority or altering state roles in schooling.
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 (2)
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-29: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-29: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-29: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Community Schools and Health Equity Act — issued 2026-06-29 — PDF (7 pages)