# 119-sres-158: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions.

119-sres-158, A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (D-MA); status introduced (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-158
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-sres-158
- Congress: 119
- Title: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-04-07
- Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (D-MA)
- Cosponsors: 9
- Policy area: Education
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Fair pay and stronger workplace protections for paraprofessionals and education support staff** are the focus of this resolution. It would push for livable wages, affordable health benefits, 16 weeks of paid family and medical leave, and more say over workplace technology and conditions. - Paraprofessionals and education support staff: Over 3 million school and higher-education support workers would be urged to receive livable, competitive pay, healthcare with minimal personal cost, paid leave, paid training during work hours, and protections from retaliation. - Employers and districts: School employers would be asked to bargain in good faith, seek timely contracts, and refrain from replacing striking staff or locking them out. - Students and school operations: Schools would be expected to provide adequate staffing, up-to-date supplies and technology, personal protective equipment, and give staff timely notice and meaningful participation in student-related meetings. - Workplace oversight and rights: Staff would get input on electronic monitoring, data and AI use, access to career-advancing professional development, and a process to report workplace issues safely.

## Cosponsors (9)

- Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (I-VT), 2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR), 2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-CA), 2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (D-NJ), 2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] (D-NM), 2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA] (D-MA), 2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] (D-NM), 2025-10-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE] (D-DE), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] (D-DE), 2026-02-24T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-3990: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026
- 119-s-2823: FAMILY Act
- 119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026
- 119-s-1503: Equality Act

## Sources
- [119-sres-158 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-resolution/158)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-3990: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3990)
- [119-s-2823: FAMILY Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2823)
- [119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-51)
- [119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5108)
- [119-s-1503: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1503)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-158 (as of 2026-04-21).