Commission on Advancing Restorative Justice in Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Introduced
Summary
Reduce discipline disparities and expand culturally competent mental health supports for students of color. This bill would create a federal Commission to define restorative justice and restorative practices, produce training, recommend counselor and psychologist caseloads, and track program participation and outcomes.
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- Students and families: Aims to boost access to culturally competent mental and behavioral health supports for students of color and reduce harsher discipline they face.
- Educators and school staff: Directs the Commission to develop definitions and training materials that teach bias reduction, classroom approaches, mediation, and trauma-informed responses for school personnel.
- Schools and districts: Requires the Commission to recommend school psychologist-to-student and counselor-to-student ratios for schools receiving federal funds and to submit annual reports for four years on training distribution, capacity increases, and steps to cut disproportionate discipline.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New commission on school restorative justice
If enacted, this bill would require the Education Secretary, with HHS, to set up an advisory commission within 90 days. The commission would have up to 13 members, including federal officials, experts, and students or family members. Members would serve without pay but would get travel expenses and per diem under federal rules. The commission must hold an initial meeting within 60 days of appointments and at least seven more meetings when called. It would send an annual report starting one year after appointments and a final report after four years, then end 90 days later. The commission would write definitions, tracking guidance, and training on restorative justice, and recommend school psychologist and counselor ratios for schools that receive applicable funds.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
PA • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Sewell
AL • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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