# 119-hr-5476: Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act

119-hr-5476, Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6] (D-GA); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-15).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5476
- As of: 2026-10-15
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-5476
- Congress: 119
- Title: Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-09-18
- Sponsor: Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6] (D-GA)
- Cosponsors: 67
- Policy area: Education
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-15

## Summary

**Creates a federal grant program to recruit, retain, and develop paraprofessionals in public elementary, secondary, and preschool settings.** It would fund State Educational Agencies to competitively subgrant to local agencies and certain educational service agencies for mentoring, training, credentials, and pay increases to strengthen classroom support for high-need students. - Families and students: Gives priority to schools that serve higher shares of children from low-income families, including those eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, Medicaid, or TANF. This aims to target support where student need is greatest. - Paraprofessionals and school staff: Pays for evidence-based leader induction and mentoring, high-quality professional development, credentials (special education, English learner, advanced paraeducator, teaching certification), and can fund wage increases or bonus pay to retain staff. - State and local education agencies: Allotments to states follow a formula tied to each state's share of Title I Part A funding, and most funds must be awarded as competitive subgrants to eligible entities. - Accountability and workforce data: Each state must report yearly on paraprofessional pay baselines, wage changes, numbers earning below state averages, actions to address shortages, and professional development activities. - Preschool programs: Includes licensed preschool programs run by schools serving children age 5 and under as eligible for grants.

## Cosponsors (67)

- Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] (R-PA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15] (D-CA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] (D-WI), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22] (D-NY), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3] (D-KY), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] (D-ME), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13] (D-MI), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4] (D-VA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6] (D-MD), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] (D-NV), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9] (D-MA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27] (D-CA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large] (D-VT), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12] (D-CA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6] (D-OR), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2] (D-MN), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] (D-MA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1] (D-CT), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3] (D-PA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13] (D-GA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9] (D-NY), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] (D-GA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] (D-MS), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6] (D-LA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17] (D-IL), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9] (D-CA), 2025-09-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28] (D-CA), 2025-09-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2] (D-GA), 2025-09-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5] (D-NJ), 2025-09-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13] (D-IL), 2025-10-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8] (D-MA), 2025-10-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3] (D-NY), 2025-10-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] (D-IL), 2025-10-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6] (D-WA), 2025-10-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12] (D-MI), 2025-10-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] (D-CA), 2025-10-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4] (D-IL), 2025-10-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1] (D-IL), 2025-10-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6] (D-NJ), 2025-11-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3] (D-NM), 2025-11-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6] (D-PA), 2025-11-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8] (D-IL), 2025-11-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42] (D-CA), 2025-11-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30] (D-CA), 2025-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1] (D-OH), 2025-12-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (D-OR), 2025-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2] (D-NH), 2025-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large] (D-DE), 2025-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3] (D-MA), 2025-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2026-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7] (D-AZ), 2026-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1] (D-NH), 2026-01-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7] (D-IN), 2026-02-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7] (D-AL), 2026-02-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5] (D-CT), 2026-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] (D-IL), 2026-03-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38] (D-CA), 2026-04-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2] (D-RI), 2026-05-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2] (D-WA), 2026-06-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (D-FL), 2026-06-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2] (D-AL), 2026-06-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4] (D-MN), 2026-06-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45] (D-CA), 2026-06-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52] (D-CA), 2026-06-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] (D-NC), 2026-07-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17] (D-PA), 2026-07-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Blair, Everton [D-GA-13] (D-GA), 2026-09-24T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Grants to boost paraprofessional pay and training: benefit, medium. This bill would create a federal PARA grants program for public schools and preschools. States would apply to the Education Department and could keep up to 5% for administration. Most funds would be awarded as competitive subgrants to districts or education service agencies. Money could raise wages…
- State Title I share and yearly reports: benefit, medium. Each state’s PARA share would match its prior‑year share of Title I, Part A funds. States would need an approved application to receive money. The bill does not set a total dollar amount. States that get funds would file a yearly report showing average paraprofessional pay, how wages were raised, c…
- Keeps school employee bargaining rights: benefit, low. This bill would not change employee rights or collective bargaining agreements for school staff. States and schools would still need to follow labor laws and this program when they negotiate and carry it out.

## Related bills

- 119-hr-1810: Safe Schools Improvement Act
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-20: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025
- 119-hr-15: Equality Act
- 119-hr-1589: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025
- 119-hr-17: Paycheck Fairness Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-5476 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5476)

## Related
- [119-hr-1810: Safe Schools Improvement Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1810)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-20: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-20)
- [119-hr-15: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-15)
- [119-hr-1589: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1589)
- [119-hr-17: Paycheck Fairness Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-17)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5476 (as of 2026-10-15).