Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 297
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-07: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-05T08:07:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
H. Res. 297 is a non-binding resolution that expresses the House of Representatives' opinion on improving conditions for paraprofessionals (such as education assistants) and education support staff (such as those in clerical, transportation, food services, maintenance, and health roles) in U.S. elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions. It highlights their essential role in supporting over 49 million students and calls for fair pay, benefits, job security, and involvement in school decisions, especially amid post-COVID-19 staffing shortages.
Key Provisions Outlined
The resolution includes background "whereas" clauses describing challenges faced by these workers, such as low wages, lack of benefits, job insecurity, safety risks, and limited input on policies. The core "resolved" section states the House's sense that:
- Worker Rights and Benefits:
- Paraprofessionals and support staff should receive a livable, competitive wage.
- They should have access to affordable health care with minimal personal costs.
- They should qualify for protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act (a federal law providing unpaid leave for family or medical reasons) and receive 16 weeks of paid family and medical leave.
- They should get paid leave for school closures, including weather events or professional development days.
- They should have free or low-cost professional development during work hours to advance careers.
- They should receive necessary resources (e.g., updated technology), training, and protective equipment.
- Job Security and Participation:
- They should have multi-year contracts with automatic renewal, termination only for just cause (a valid reason, not at-will dismissal), and adequate notice of employment terms.
- They should participate in student-related meetings (e.g., individualized education programs for students with disabilities) where appropriate.
- They should have input on new technologies like AI in schools, including training.
- They should be represented in policy-making bodies affecting their work and have safe reporting processes for workplace issues without retaliation.
- Staffing levels should ensure safe, effective work and student support.
- Employer Obligations:
- Employers (e.g., schools) should negotiate collective bargaining agreements (union contracts) in good faith, aim for fair and timely deals, avoid replacing striking workers, and not lock out employees.
- A caveat notes that the resolution does not override more favorable terms in existing union agreements.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
This is a resolution, not a bill that creates enforceable law, so it introduces no direct changes to statutes. It builds on existing laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act by advocating for expansions (e.g., paid leave) but serves only as a symbolic statement to guide future policy discussions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies and Schools: Could encourage federal and state education departments to prioritize funding or guidelines for better worker conditions, potentially reducing staffing shortages (noted as 331,000 fewer school staff post-COVID). No immediate mandates, but it may influence budget allocations for education.
- On Citizens: Benefits over 3 million paraprofessionals and support staff by spotlighting their needs, possibly leading to improved wages and safety in schools, which indirectly supports students (especially those from diverse or underserved communities) through stable learning environments. Families may see better-educated relatives via career advancement paths.
- On International Relations: None, as it focuses on domestic U.S. education workers.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff: Primary beneficiaries, including diverse frontline workers in schools who often serve at-risk students.
- School Employers and Administrators: Public school districts and higher education institutions responsible for hiring, bargaining, and policy implementation.
- Unions and Labor Groups: Supported through emphasis on collective bargaining; groups like the American Federation of Teachers may use it to advocate.
- Students and Families: Indirectly affected, as better-supported staff could enhance school safety, resources, and learning outcomes.
- Congress and Policymakers: Signals bipartisan (though introduced by Democrats) support for education labor issues, potentially shaping future bills.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Non-binding, so no enforceable rights or penalties; it respects existing laws and union contracts without challenging them. References to laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act suggest a push for amendments but creates no obligations.
- Constitutional: Aligns with First Amendment protections for congressional expressions of opinion; no issues with federalism, as education is largely state-controlled, but it urges national attention.
- Political: Highlights post-pandemic education crises and worker equity, potentially rallying support for labor-friendly policies in a divided Congress. As a "sense of the House" resolution, it fosters dialogue without risking votes on divisive mandates, emphasizing dignity for often-overlooked diverse workers in public service.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (57)
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16] and 7 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-07: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-04-07: Submitted in House
- 2025-04-07: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions. — issued 2025-04-07 — PDF (7 pages)