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119-s-5470119th CongressWALLET

Protecting our Students in Schools Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

Introduced

Summary

Would ban corporal punishment in any school or program that receives federal funds. It would pair that ban with private and government enforcement options, required state and local reporting, and grants to expand positive behavioral supports.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Ban on corporal punishment and enforcement

If enacted, the bill would bar corporal punishment in any school program that gets federal money. Students or parents would be able to sue in State or Federal court for injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and attorneys' and expert fees. The Attorney General would be able to sue after a parent files a written complaint and after giving the school time to fix the problem. Schools would also have to notify parents, the State education agency, and local police in writing within 24 hours after any use of force, and protection-and-advocacy systems must be told when the student has a disability.

Grants to improve school climate

If enacted, the Department of Education would award competitive, 3-year grants to States to support positive behavioral, restorative, and trauma-informed models. States would competitively subgrant to school districts and must show reductions in suspensions, school-related arrests, or police referrals to keep funding. Congress would be authorized to provide "such sums as may be necessary" starting in FY2027. Local districts getting subgrants would have to submit evaluation reports at the end of their subgrant and States would report at the end of each 3-year grant.

State reporting and rule deadlines

If enacted, State education agencies would have to send written assurances and a school climate report. The first report would be due within 1 year of enactment, then yearly for three years, then at least once every two years. Local districts would have to give the information the State asks for. The Secretary would have to issue regulations within 180 days using negotiated rulemaking and must make summaries public and send reports to Congress.

Which schools and staff are covered

If enacted, the bill would define which programs and staff the ban covers. It would cover Head Start programs, all local school systems, and some private schools that enroll students getting IDEA services. Schools run or funded by the Departments of Defense and the Interior would have to follow the rules. The bill would not apply to private schools that get no federal money, and it would not treat home-schooling parents as school staff. The law would also define 'corporal punishment' and would not count law enforcement or school security guards as program personnel.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

CT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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