A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
Latest action (6 Nov 2023): Introduced
What this bill does
S.Res. 450 expresses the Senate's opinion—rather than creating binding law—that paraprofessionals and education support staff in elementary schools, secondary schools, and public colleges should receive fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions. It states that such workers should have livable wages, affordable healthcare, eligibility for Family and Medical Leave Act protections including 16 weeks of paid family and medical leave, paid leave during school closures, access to professional development, adequate supplies and safety equipment, input into workplace technology and policy decisions, safe staffing levels, job security provisions, and protection from retaliation when reporting concerns. It also states that employers should bargain in good faith with these workers and avoid replacing striking employees or imposing lockouts.
The resolution concerns paraprofessionals (education and instructional assistants) and education support staff (including clerical, transportation, food service, custodial, health, and technical workers), a group the bill describes as exceeding 3 million people serving over 49 million students. As a "sense of the Senate" resolution, it does not itself change any law, create funding, or impose new requirements on schools or employers; it is a statement of position intended to inform policy debate.
The resolution was introduced by Senator Ed Markey, with Senators Sanders and Warren as cosponsors, on November 6, 2023, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It did not receive a committee vote or floor vote before the end of the 118th Congress, so it did not advance further and would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress to be considered again.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that paraprofessionals and education support staff should receive a living wage, have access to affordable health care and health care benefits, and have access to other specified employment benefits and working conditions.
Additionally, in recognition of the importance of collective bargaining in maintaining good working conditions, employers of paraprofessionals and education support staff should engage in good faith negotiations.
Common questions
- What does S.Res. 450 do?
- S.Res. 450 expresses the Senate's opinion—rather than creating binding law—that paraprofessionals and education support staff in elementary schools, secondary schools, and public colleges should receive fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions. It states that such workers should have livable wages, affordable healthcare, eligibility for Family and Medical Leave Act protections including 16 weeks of paid family and medical leave, paid leave during school closures, access to professional development, adequate supplies and safety equipment, input into workplace technology and policy decisions, safe staffing levels, job security provisions, and protection from retaliation when reporting concerns. It also states that employers should bargain in good faith with these workers and avoid replacing striking employees or imposing lockouts. The resolution concerns paraprofessionals (education and instructional assistants) and education support staff (including clerical, transportation, food service, custodial, health, and technical workers), a group the bill describes as exceeding 3 million people serving over 49 million students. As a "sense of the Senate" resolution, it does not itself change any law, create funding, or impose new requirements on schools or employers; it is a statement of position intended to inform policy debate. The resolution was introduced by Senator Ed Markey, with Senators Sanders and Warren as cosponsors, on November 6, 2023, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It did not receive a committee vote or floor vote before the end of the 118th Congress, so it did not advance further and would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress to be considered again.
- Has S.Res. 450 become law?
- Not yet. As of 6 Nov 2023, S.Res. 450 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S.Res. 450?
- S.Res. 450 was sponsored by Sen. Edward “Ed” Markey [D-MA] (Democrat-MA), with 11 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S.Res. 450?
- Introduced (6 Nov 2023).
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