Lawmakers Introduce Bicameral Bill to Address School Closures
Lawmakers have begun to discuss more focused relief for school districts and students affected by a wave of school closures. Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced companion bills that would target relief to students, educators, and staff impacted by closures related to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act (S. 3489/H.R. 6275), which carries a $3 billion cost over two years, would provide resources to help schools plan for closures, including:
- All students have access to meals and technology and the continuation of other educational services for students
- Support to effectively sanitize educational facilities
- Support to keep early childhood programs operational
- Emergency financial aid for students at institutions of higher education in need of food, housing, and child care support
- Cancellation of repayment for certain student loans for disrupted terms
- Increasing funding for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network to address stress and mental health needs related to coronavirus
No timeline has been discussed to move this bill forward, but the sense is that it could be tucked into the ‘third stimulus’ pending negotiation. Given the uncertainty and changing needs in states and districts, discussions continue about what more Congress can do to support schools and students during this national crisis.
Learn more about the Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act here.