HR 5173, the "No Social Media at School Act," requires social media companies to block access to their platforms on K-12 school campuses during regular school hours using geofencing technology. This applies to companies operating platforms that collect personal data for advertising or data sales, excluding educational tools, email services, and emergency alerts. The bill prohibits social media companies from needing to collect age data or implement age verification to comply. Enforcement is handled by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general, who can sue to block violations or seek damages.
The Ending PUSHOUT Act of 2025 aims to address discriminatory school discipline practices that disproportionately push students of color, particularly Black, Brown, and Indigenous girls, out of school. It requires schools to collect and report detailed demographic data on discipline practices, including race, gender identity, disability status, and other factors. The bill provides grants to schools to implement trauma-informed alternatives to exclusionary discipline like suspensions and expulsions, while prohibiting certain practices such as out-of-school suspension for young students for minor offenses like grooming policy violations. It also establishes a joint task force with student, parent, and expert representation to study and recommend solutions to end school pushout of girls of color.
HR 3931, the Kids on the Go Act of 2025, requires states to appoint a "Safe routes to school coordinator" for transportation projects. If a state hires such a coordinator, the federal government will cover 95% of eligible project costs under the relevant transportation program (previously a lower percentage). This bill directly affects state transportation agencies and school districts receiving federal funds for safe routes to school initiatives. The key change is the increased federal funding rate tied to the coordinator position, aiming to improve student safety during school commutes. The bill does not mandate hiring but offers a significant funding incentive for states that choose to implement this role.
The Healthy Lunch for Healthy Kids Act amends the National School Lunch Program to prohibit ultraprocessed foods (using the NOVA classification system) and specific additives in school meals. It directly affects students in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program by banning ingredients like artificial dyes (yellow dye 5/6, blue dyes, red dyes), potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, and brominated vegetable oil. The bill requires schools to remove these items from meals served under the program, focusing on reducing consumption of highly processed ingredients. This change applies to all schools receiving federal funding through the National School Lunch Act. The policy aims to improve meal nutrition standards without specifying implementation details or outcomes.
HR 5655, the "No Shame at School Act of 2025," requires schools to eliminate stigma around unpaid meal fees for students. It mandates that school districts automatically certify eligible students for free/reduced meals (replacing "may" with "shall"), prohibits physical segregation or public identification of students with unpaid fees (like special tokens or name lists), and bans withholding grades or activities due to meal debt. The bill also prevents schools from using debt collectors for meal fees and requires adjustments to past meal claims when eligibility is later confirmed. This directly affects schools, local educational agencies, and students from households with outstanding meal fees.
The Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026 authorizes $20 billion annually from 2027 to 2031 to improve public school facilities nationwide. The bill provides grants to states to fund school construction, renovation, and modernization projects that focus on safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility, with priority given to schools serving high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Funds cannot be used for routine maintenance, athletic facilities, or vehicles, and must meet specific environmental, safety, and energy efficiency standards. The bill also includes specific provisions for repairing school foundations affected by pyrrhotite, a mineral that causes concrete deterioration, and requires use of American-made materials for construction projects.
This bill requires states receiving federal education funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to maintain funding for school resource officer (SRO) programs in public schools at either their prior year's level or a 5-year average. It directly affects State Educational Agencies (SEAs), which must annually certify compliance by reporting their SRO funding amounts and officer counts. If a state fails to meet the funding requirement without a waiver for emergencies like disasters, the federal government will reduce its future education funding proportionally. The bill includes a waiver option for states facing extraordinary financial hardship but does not change SRO program requirements or definitions.
The LIFE with AI Act establishes a "Golden Seal of Excellence in Student Data Privacy" for schools that implement robust parental notification systems for educational technology. It requires schools to use real-time consent systems ("instant verification technology") for parental approval of student data use, simplifies opt-out processes for directory information, and prohibits using student photos for facial recognition without consent. The bill also creates new requirements for schools to review third-party educational technology contracts for privacy compliance and establishes a Privacy Technical Assistance Center to help schools navigate data privacy rules. These changes primarily affect elementary and secondary schools, local educational agencies, and educational technology providers, with the goal of strengthening student data privacy protections while enabling responsible AI use in education.
HR 2577, the PLAN for School Safety Act of 2025, establishes a federal grant program to create statewide or regional School Safety Development Centers. These centers, funded through $25 million annually (2026-2030), will provide schools - especially those in rural, Tribal, or low-resourced communities - with free, customized consulting to develop or improve evidence-based school safety and mental health plans. Centers must offer tailored consultations, help schools access federal/state funding, and provide training, while prohibiting the use of funds for firearm training or hiring school staff. The bill directly affects public schools and their communities by supporting data-driven safety planning without altering existing civil rights or safety laws.
The Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026 would provide $20 billion annually (2027-2031) to improve public school facilities across the United States. The bill directs funds to states based on previous Title I funding allocations, requiring states to contribute 10% of the funds (with some exceptions) and develop plans for equitable distribution to school districts. Local educational agencies must prioritize schools with high numbers of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and funds can be used for construction, renovation, energy efficiency upgrades, removal of toxic substances, and making facilities accessible. The bill also establishes school infrastructure bonds to leverage private investment and includes specific provisions to repair foundations damaged by pyrrhotite.