Pay Paraprofessionals and Support Staff Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2451
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-24: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-13T11:03:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Pay Paraprofessionals and Support Staff Act aims to guarantee a living wage for paraprofessionals (such as teacher aides) and education support staff (like bus drivers or librarians) in public schools. It recognizes these workers as essential public servants who support student success and addresses regional differences in living costs, while promoting safe working conditions and respect.
Key Provisions
- Minimum Compensation Requirements:
- States must set a minimum salary for full-time paraprofessionals and support staff at least $45,000 annually starting in fiscal year (FY) 2026 through 2030, increasing with experience.
- For part-time staff, a minimum wage of at least $30 per hour applies during the same period, also rising with experience.
- After 2030, these amounts adjust every five years based on the greater of inflation (measured by the Consumer Price Index) or a 2% increase.
- Funding and Grants:
- Authorizes $25 billion for FY 2026, with annual increases tied to inflation; funds are appropriated directly from the U.S. Treasury to the Department of Education.
- The Secretary of Education reserves up to 1% for research on professional development (e.g., training for special education or English learners) and 1% for technical assistance and administration.
- Remaining funds are allotted to states based on their prior-year share of Title I funding (federal aid for low-income schools). States must apply, outlining a 4-year timeline to meet minimums, with annual goals for wage/salary increases starting in the second year of funding.
- State and Local Implementation:
- States can reserve up to 2% of grants for administration, technical assistance, and staff training.
- At least 98% of funds must be subgranted to local educational agencies (LEAs, such as school districts, including charters), prioritizing those serving high numbers of low-income students (required to comply within 2 years).
- LEAs must use subgrants to meet state minimums for all staff, including those under contracts. Funds can also raise pay for teachers, principals, and others or support professional development.
- States monitor compliance, ensuring all LEAs meet requirements within 4 years of final regulations.
- Additional Rules:
- Funds must supplement (add to) existing state/local education budgets, not replace them.
- No waivers allowed under existing education laws.
- Allows extra pay for skills, bonuses, or career advancement without affecting base minimums.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces federal mandates for minimum salaries and wages specifically for paraprofessionals and support staff, which were not previously required at this level under laws like the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
- Creates a new dedicated funding stream ($25 billion initial appropriation) outside general education budgets, indexed to inflation, to support these wage increases.
- Prohibits supplanting state/local funds and blocks waivers, strengthening enforcement compared to flexible prior programs.
- Explicitly protects collective bargaining rights while requiring compliance, and extends minimums to contracted staff (previously often overlooked).
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Education gains new administrative duties (e.g., grant oversight, monitoring), potentially straining resources but aided by reserved funds. States and LEAs face mandates to raise pay, which could require budget reallocations or hiring adjustments, but federal grants provide direct support.
- Citizens: Paraprofessionals and support staff (millions nationwide) benefit from higher, inflation-adjusted pay, improving retention and living standards. Students in public schools may see better support services due to stable staffing. Taxpayers could face indirect costs if states increase local funding to match federal supplements.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic education and labor policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff: Primary beneficiaries, gaining guaranteed living wages and professional development opportunities.
- Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and Schools: Must implement wage increases and subgrant programs, with high-poverty districts receiving priority funding.
- States: Responsible for applications, timelines, subgrants, and monitoring; can tailor minimums to local costs but must meet federal floors.
- U.S. Department of Education: Oversees grants, reservations, and enforcement.
- Teachers, Principals, and Other School Staff: Indirectly benefit from optional pay raises using subgrant funds.
- Students and Families: Especially in low-income areas, through improved school operations and support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces labor protections by mandating living wages without altering collective bargaining (a key "rule of construction" to avoid conflicts with union agreements). The supplement-not-supplant rule prevents federal funds from reducing state/local spending, promoting fiscal accountability. No waiver authority limits flexibility but ensures uniform compliance.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power to fund education and promote general welfare; no apparent free speech, due process, or federalism issues, though states retain some discretion in setting exact minimums.
- Political: Could spark debates on education spending and worker rights, appealing to labor advocates while raising concerns about federal mandates on local budgets. By tying funding to Title I allocations, it prioritizes equity for disadvantaged students, 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
Cosponsors (11)
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-24: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-07-24: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Pay Paraprofessionals and Support Staff Act — issued 2025-07-24 — PDF (15 pages)