Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (7 Apr 2025): Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
What this bill does
H.Res. 297 is a simple resolution expressing the "sense of the House" that paraprofessionals and education support staff—school employees such as instructional aides, bus drivers, food service workers, custodial staff, and clerical and technical personnel—should receive fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions. It does not create new law or funding but states the House's view that these workers should receive livable wages, affordable health care, eligibility for Family and Medical Leave Act protections with 16 weeks of paid leave, paid leave for school closures, professional development opportunities, adequate supplies and safety equipment, input into workplace technology and policy decisions, safe staffing levels, job security through multi-year contracts with just-cause termination standards, and protection from retaliation when reporting workplace concerns. It also states that employers should bargain in good faith and avoid replacing striking workers or locking them out.
The resolution concerns the more than three million paraprofessionals and education support staff working in U.S. elementary, secondary, and public higher-education institutions, citing pandemic-related staffing shortages, low pay, limited benefits, and job insecurity affecting this workforce. It affects these workers primarily through symbolic recognition rather than binding requirements, and it explicitly does not seek to override existing, more favorable collective bargaining agreements.
The bill was introduced on April 7, 2025, by Rep. Jahana Hayes with several co-sponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. As a resolution rather than a bill, it would not require presidential signature even if passed by the House; it expresses a position rather than establishing enforceable policy. No further action has been recorded beyond introduction.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
7 Apr 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Common questions
- What does H.Res. 297 do?
- H.Res. 297 is a simple resolution expressing the "sense of the House" that paraprofessionals and education support staff—school employees such as instructional aides, bus drivers, food service workers, custodial staff, and clerical and technical personnel—should receive fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions. It does not create new law or funding but states the House's view that these workers should receive livable wages, affordable health care, eligibility for Family and Medical Leave Act protections with 16 weeks of paid leave, paid leave for school closures, professional development opportunities, adequate supplies and safety equipment, input into workplace technology and policy decisions, safe staffing levels, job security through multi-year contracts with just-cause termination standards, and protection from retaliation when reporting workplace concerns. It also states that employers should bargain in good faith and avoid replacing striking workers or locking them out. The resolution concerns the more than three million paraprofessionals and education support staff working in U.S. elementary, secondary, and public higher-education institutions, citing pandemic-related staffing shortages, low pay, limited benefits, and job insecurity affecting this workforce. It affects these workers primarily through symbolic recognition rather than binding requirements, and it explicitly does not seek to override existing, more favorable collective bargaining agreements. The bill was introduced on April 7, 2025, by Rep. Jahana Hayes with several co-sponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. As a resolution rather than a bill, it would not require presidential signature even if passed by the House; it expresses a position rather than establishing enforceable policy. No further action has been recorded beyond introduction.
- Has H.Res. 297 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.Res. 297. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.Res. 297?
- H.Res. 297 was sponsored by Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5] (D-CT), with 58 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.Res. 297?
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. (7 Apr 2025).
Related bills in Education
RISE Act
Civic Literacy in Higher Education Act
Expressing support for the recognition of October 2026, as "National Dyslexia Awareness Month".
Campus Accountability and Safety Act of 2026
More bills from Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
Clean School Bus Reauthorization Act
WIC for Kids Act
Time for Completion Act
Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026
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