A bill to authorize the Secretary of Education to carry out a grant program to assist local educational agencies with ensuring that each elementary school and secondary school has at least one reading or literacy specialist on staff.
Latest action (30 Sep 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
This bill, introduced by Senator Martin Heinrich, aims to help local school districts hire reading or literacy specialists. If passed, it would allow the Secretary of Education to create a grant program specifically for this purpose. The goal of these grants would be to ensure that every elementary and secondary school has at least one dedicated reading or literacy specialist.
The bill would directly affect local educational agencies, which are responsible for public school systems. By providing grants, it seeks to assist these agencies in meeting the cost of employing these specialists. The ultimate beneficiaries would be students in elementary and secondary schools who would have access to trained professionals focused on reading and literacy development.
As of now, this bill has just been introduced in the Senate during the 119th Congress. Its status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the Senate or the House of Representatives. The next steps would involve committee review, potential amendments, and votes in both chambers of Congress before it could be sent to the President.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on September 30, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 5659 do?
- This bill, introduced by Senator Martin Heinrich, aims to help local school districts hire reading or literacy specialists. If passed, it would allow the Secretary of Education to create a grant program specifically for this purpose. The goal of these grants would be to ensure that every elementary and secondary school has at least one dedicated reading or literacy specialist. The bill would directly affect local educational agencies, which are responsible for public school systems. By providing grants, it seeks to assist these agencies in meeting the cost of employing these specialists. The ultimate beneficiaries would be students in elementary and secondary schools who would have access to trained professionals focused on reading and literacy development. As of now, this bill has just been introduced in the Senate during the 119th Congress. Its status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the Senate or the House of Representatives. The next steps would involve committee review, potential amendments, and votes in both chambers of Congress before it could be sent to the President.
- Has S. 5659 become law?
- Not yet. As of 30 Sep 2026, S. 5659 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5659?
- S. 5659 was sponsored by Sen. Martin Heinrich [D-NM] (Democrat-NM), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5659?
- Introduced (30 Sep 2026).
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