Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4618
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T21:34:05Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the legislation This bill establishes a new federal grant program to increase the number of school-based mental health services providers in high-need public elementary and secondary schools. It aims to address shortages by helping schools reach recommended staffing ratios for counselors, psychologists, and social workers.
Key provisions outlined
- Grant structure: The Secretary of Education reserves funds for Bureau of Indian Education schools, outlying areas, and program administration. Remaining funds are awarded to states via formula based on Title I allocations under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). States must provide a 20% match and award competitive subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs).
- Subgrant use: LEAs use funds to recruit, retain, or contract with school-based mental health services providers (including counselors, psychologists, social workers, and qualified community organizations) specifically for high-need schools. Priority goes to LEAs serving many high-need schools, with emphasis on those with high percentages of low-income students.
- Staffing goals: Subgrants support progress toward ratios of 250 students per school counselor, 500 students per school psychologist, and 250 students per school social worker.
- Requirements: Funds supplement, not replace, existing resources. States and LEAs must submit applications and annual reports tracking provider numbers, ratios, and progress.
- Funding authorization: $5,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, with such sums as necessary thereafter. Grants last five years and may be renewed based on progress.
Significant changes to existing law introduced The bill creates a standalone program rather than amending an existing ESEA title. It defines “high-need school” by reference to ESEA section 2211(b) and incorporates ESEA definitions for schools, agencies, and states. It adds new reporting and matching requirements not present in prior general mental health provisions under ESEA.
Potential impacts on government agencies, citizens, or international relations
- Federal agencies (Department of Education) gain oversight and reporting duties.
- State educational agencies and LEAs receive new funding streams but must meet matching, application, and reporting obligations.
- Schools and students in high-need areas may gain improved access to on-site mental health support.
- No direct effects on international relations are described.
Main stakeholders affected
- State educational agencies and local educational agencies.
- High-need public elementary and secondary schools.
- School-based mental health services providers (counselors, psychologists, social workers, and community organizations).
- Students attending high-need schools, particularly those from low-income families.
- Bureau of Indian Education and outlying areas (via reserved funds).
Notable legal, constitutional, or political implications The legislation relies on Congress’s spending power and does not create new regulatory mandates on states or schools. It includes standard supplement-not-supplant language to avoid conflicts with existing federal funding rules. No unique constitutional issues are raised in the bill text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (19)
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (12 pages)