A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
Latest action (7 Apr 2025): Introduced
What this bill does
S.Res. 158 is a Senate resolution stating the Senate's view that paraprofessionals and education support staff—such as teaching assistants, bus drivers, food service and custodial workers, and clerical staff in K-12 schools and public colleges—deserve fair pay, benefits, and working conditions. It does not create binding law but lists conditions the Senate believes these workers should have, including a livable wage, 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 on workplace technology and school policies, adequate staffing levels, job security with just-cause termination protections, and protection from retaliation when reporting workplace concerns. It also expresses support for employers engaging in good-faith collective bargaining and refraining from replacing striking workers or locking them out.
This resolution primarily concerns the more than 3 million paraprofessionals and education support staff nationwide, who the bill's findings describe as often underpaid, lacking job security or benefits, and underrepresented in school policy decisions. It also speaks to school employers and, indirectly, to the roughly 49 million students these workers support, though it imposes no legal obligations on schools, states, or employers.
The resolution was introduced on April 7, 2025, by Senator Edward Markey along with several cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. As a simple sense-of-the-Senate resolution, it would not have the force of law even if passed; its next step would be committee consideration, and it could later be brought to the Senate floor for a vote.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This resolution is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on April 7, 2025. 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.Res. 158 do?
- S.Res. 158 is a Senate resolution stating the Senate's view that paraprofessionals and education support staff—such as teaching assistants, bus drivers, food service and custodial workers, and clerical staff in K-12 schools and public colleges—deserve fair pay, benefits, and working conditions. It does not create binding law but lists conditions the Senate believes these workers should have, including a livable wage, 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 on workplace technology and school policies, adequate staffing levels, job security with just-cause termination protections, and protection from retaliation when reporting workplace concerns. It also expresses support for employers engaging in good-faith collective bargaining and refraining from replacing striking workers or locking them out. This resolution primarily concerns the more than 3 million paraprofessionals and education support staff nationwide, who the bill's findings describe as often underpaid, lacking job security or benefits, and underrepresented in school policy decisions. It also speaks to school employers and, indirectly, to the roughly 49 million students these workers support, though it imposes no legal obligations on schools, states, or employers. The resolution was introduced on April 7, 2025, by Senator Edward Markey along with several cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. As a simple sense-of-the-Senate resolution, it would not have the force of law even if passed; its next step would be committee consideration, and it could later be brought to the Senate floor for a vote.
- Has S.Res. 158 become law?
- Not yet. As of 7 Apr 2025, S.Res. 158 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S.Res. 158?
- S.Res. 158 was sponsored by Sen. Edward “Ed” Markey [D-MA] (Democrat-MA), with 9 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S.Res. 158?
- Introduced (7 Apr 2025).
Related bills in Education
Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 13 through September 19, 2026, as “Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week”.
Data Science and Literacy Act of 2026
To direct the Secretary of Education to conduct a study on the efforts of States, local educational agencies, and public elementary and secondary schools to educate students about the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
Expressing support for the designation of September 2026 as National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.