Safe Schools Improvement Act
Safe Schools Improvement Act
Plain Language Summary
# Safe Schools Improvement Act Summary **What It Does** The Safe Schools Improvement Act would require states and local school districts to establish anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies that specifically protect students based on race, color, national origin, disability, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. Schools would need to provide annual notices to students and parents about prohibited conduct, create clear complaint procedures, and publicly report data on bullying and harassment incidents. The Department of Education would also conduct independent evaluations every two years on how well schools are addressing these issues. **Who It Affects** This bill directly impacts elementary and secondary school students, parents, school administrators, and teachers.
It applies nationwide to all school districts receiving federal education funding and requires coordinated action across state and local education agencies. **Current Status** The bill (S. 986) was introduced by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. It remains in the early stages of the legislative process.
CRS Official Summary
Safe Schools Improvement ActThis bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, disability, religion, or sex. Sex includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics (including intersex traits).Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level.The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.