Bill Proposes Swapping Federal Funds for School Police with $5 Billion for Counselors and Mental Health Support

This proposed legislation, the "Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act," fundamentally changes how federal dollars can be used for school safety. It aims to stop the flow of federal money going towards law enforcement officers in K-12 schools and, instead, create a $5 billion grant program to help local school districts hire counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other support staff.

Redirecting the Dollars: No More Federal Funds for School Police

The bill pulls no punches: Section 5 explicitly prohibits any federal funds from being used to hire, train, or maintain police officers in elementary or secondary schools. This includes School Resource Officers (SROs) and amends existing laws, like the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, to remove previous authorizations for such funding. The definition of "covered law enforcement officer" is broad, covering state, Tribal, or local officers assigned to, contracted with, or employed by schools.

Enter the Support Squad: The $5 Billion Grant Opportunity

To fill the gap left by removing police funding, Section 6 establishes a major new grant program, authorizing $5 billion. Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) – think your local school district – can apply for these funds, but there's a key condition: they must certify they won't have police stationed on campus during the grant period. This means ending existing contracts or dissolving internal school police departments at least 30 days before getting the cash. Priority goes to districts that have already removed police, serve a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students, or base their plans on community input.

The money must primarily be used to hire or train vital support staff: school counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, and specialists focused on school climate and behavior. Funds can also support implementing evidence-based programs like positive behavioral interventions, restorative justice practices, or social-emotional learning initiatives. However, the bill explicitly forbids using grant money for punitive discipline policies, surveillance equipment (like cameras or metal detectors), or arming school personnel.

The 'Why' Behind the Bill: Addressing Disparities and Staffing Gaps

The legislation doesn't just shift funding; it's grounded in concerns outlined in its extensive "Findings" section. The bill points to data showing that police presence in schools hasn't necessarily increased safety but has correlated with higher arrest rates, particularly impacting students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQI students. It highlights significant disparities: for instance, Black students representing 15% of enrollment but 31% of school-related arrests. Simultaneously, it notes massive staffing shortages, citing statistics like 1.7 million students attending schools with police but no counselor, and millions more lacking nurses, psychologists, or social workers. The stated purpose is to move away from what it calls school "criminalization" towards creating more inclusive, supportive, and trauma-informed environments.

Making it Happen: Grant Rules and Reporting

Districts receiving these grants aren't just getting a check; they have reporting duties. Section 6 requires annual, publicly available reports detailing how the funds were used. Crucially, these reports must also include data on student arrests (broken down by demographics like race, ethnicity, disability, and gender), suspensions, expulsions, referrals to law enforcement, and the use of surveillance technology in each school. The bill emphasizes that these federal grants must supplement, not replace, existing state and local funding for schools. This structure aims to ensure districts invest in support personnel and positive approaches while providing public transparency on the outcomes.