# 116-hr-7848: Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act

116-hr-7848, Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act, is a 116th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7] (D-MA); status Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (as of 2025-11-18).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-7848
- As of: 2025-11-18
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 116-hr-7848
- Congress: 116
- Title: Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act
- Status: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced: 2020-07-29
- Sponsor: Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7] (D-MA)
- Cosponsors: 3
- Policy area: Education
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2025-11-18

## Summary

Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for sworn law enforcement officers in schools. It also establishes a grant program to replace sworn law enforcement officers in schools with personnel and services that support mental health and trauma-informed services. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to hire, maintain, or train sworn law enforcement officers in elementary or secondary schools, preschools, or programs based in elementary or secondary schools. Further, it prohibits the use of public safety and community policing grants for sworn law enforcement officers who operate in and around elementary and secondary schools. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to local educational agencies to (1) replace sworn law enforcement officers in elementary and secondary schools with personnel and services that support mental health and trauma-informed services, and (2) reform school safety and disciplinary policies to reflect evidence-based practices that do not rely on the criminal justice system. A recipient must use grants funds to carry out certain activities, such as hiring or training specified staff, implementing trauma-informed services, and providing professional development to teachers and staff. It prohibits the use of grant funds for (1) establishing or enforcing zero-tolerance school discipline policies, (2) purchasing or installing surveillance equipment (e.g., metal detectors), or (3) arming teachers or other school personnel.

## Cosponsors (3)

- Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5] (D-MN), 2020-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-12] (D-CA), 2020-10-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] (D-WI), 2020-11-09T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 116-hr-8639: Mental Health Justice Act of 2020
- 116-hr-8015: Delivering for America Act
- 116-hr-7916: Removing Barriers to Basic Needs Act of 2020
- 116-hr-7836: Masks for All Act of 2020
- 116-hr-7816: Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2020
- 116-hr-7517: Protect Access to Birth Control Act

## Sources
- [116-hr-7848 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7848)

## Related
- [116-hr-8639: Mental Health Justice Act of 2020](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-8639)
- [116-hr-8015: Delivering for America Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-8015)
- [116-hr-7916: Removing Barriers to Basic Needs Act of 2020](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-7916)
- [116-hr-7836: Masks for All Act of 2020](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-7836)
- [116-hr-7816: Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2020](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-7816)
- [116-hr-7517: Protect Access to Birth Control Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-7517)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/116-hr-7848 (as of 2025-11-18).