Stop Sexual Harassment in K–12 Act
Sponsored By: Representative Casten
Introduced
Summary
Requires more full-time Title IX coordinators in K-12 schools to prevent and respond to sex-based harassment. The bill also funds teacher and staff training and creates an annual, anonymous sex-based harassment survey to track incidents and school climate.
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- Students and families: Students receive age-appropriate, trauma-informed prevention education and access to supportive measures. Parents may opt their child out of the anonymous survey.
- School staff and teachers: LEAs can compete for grants to train teachers and staff to prevent, recognize, and respond to harassment, with $50 million authorized per year for five years to fund those grants.
- Local educational agencies (LEAs): LEAs must add Title IX staffing — one full-time coordinator per 75,000 students in grades 7+ and one per 150,000 in grade 6 and below — and may seek waivers if facing severe financial burden while partnering with local trauma centers.
*Authorizes at least $50 million per year for training grants and $10 million per year for the survey for the first five years, increasing federal spending by at least $60 million annually during that period.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Broader federal protections against sex bias
If enacted, federal rules would clearly treat discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity as sex discrimination. This would guide how schools prevent and address harassment and unequal treatment.
Which schools must follow these rules
The bill would define what counts as federal financial help, like grants, loans, property, or federal staff time. It would also define who counts as a recipient, including states, districts, and private entities that run programs with federal help. This would set who must follow the Act’s requirements.
Annual anonymous K-12 harassment survey
The Department of Education would create an anonymous, trauma‑informed survey for K–12 students and staff about sex‑based harassment. It would get $10 million each year for five years. Districts that get federal funds would have to run the survey once the tool is available, within two years, and then every year using random, representative samples. Parents could opt their child out. The Department would post results online and send yearly reports to Congress starting within five years.
Grants to train school staff on harassment
The Department of Education would offer competitive grants to train teachers and staff to prevent and respond to sex‑based harassment and assault. The program would provide $50 million each year for five years. Districts must apply with a training plan, and awards must be made within six months after applications close. Grants would be spread across regions and prioritize underserved districts and those without other funding. Money must add to, not replace, other funds.
New Title IX staffing rules and grants
One year after enactment, districts that get federal funds would need more full-time Title IX Coordinators: one per 75,000 students in grades 7 and up, and one per 150,000 students in grade 6 and below. Coordinators could not hold conflicting jobs, like principal or athletics director, and would be the listed contacts for sex discrimination reports. They would oversee outreach, complaints, climate surveys, and annual, trauma‑informed prevention training with local rape crisis centers. Districts could seek a two‑year waiver if costs are impossible and follow an alternate plan; the Secretary could withhold funds if they do not comply. The Department could give grants for five years after the effective date to help cover these costs, prioritizing high‑burden districts.
Keeps other civil-rights options intact
The bill would not limit any other legal rights. Victims could still use other federal and state civil‑rights laws. These protections would be in addition to existing options.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Casten
IL • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22]
FL • D
Sponsored 2/25/2025
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 2/25/2025
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Sponsored 2/25/2025
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov