ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act

# ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would establish federal family leave protections for education support staff—including paraprofessionals, instructional aides, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and other non-teaching school employees. If passed, it would guarantee these workers paid or unpaid leave for qualifying events like childbirth, caring for a sick family member, or dealing with domestic violence, similar to protections some other federal workers receive. **Who It Affects:** The bill targets millions of school support staff who currently lack consistent family leave protections across states and school districts. These workers often earn lower wages than teachers and may struggle financially when needing time off for family emergencies, making federal protections potentially significant for this workforce. **Current Status:** As of now, HR 5222 remains in committee and has not been voted on by the full House.

The bill was introduced by Representative Sean Casten (D-Illinois) in the 119th Congress. No companion Senate bill has been identified. For a bill to become law, it must pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the President.