{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-colleagues-reintroduce-legislation-to-end-criminalization-of-students-and-create-safer-environment-for-kids", "Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to End Criminalization of Students and Create Safer Environment for Kids", "2023-11-03", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", "wyden", "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues have reintroduced legislation that would invest in safe and nurturing school environments that support all students and address over-policing in K-12 schools.\n\n\u201cThe school to prison pipeline is a problem which disproportionately hurts students of color and creates an environment of learning in fear of being arrested,\u201d Wyden said. \u201cClosing the school to prison pipeline means investing in and improving student well-being. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to cosponsor legislation that would help create safer school environments by redirecting federal funding to support additional behavioral health and counseling staff in schools.\u201d\n\nResearch shows the presence of police in schools leads to an increase in arrests of students \u2014 particularly students of color and students with disabilities \u2014 often for common misbehavior that a school could address without law enforcement. Meanwhile the presence of mental and behavioral health personnel in schools, like counselors, social workers and psychologists improves educational outcomes for kids \u2014 specifically by improving attendance and graduation rates while lowering the rates of suspension, expulsion and other disciplinary incidents.\n\nThe Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act would prohibit the use of federal funds to maintain police presence in schools and instead provide $5 billion in new grant funding to help schools hire more counselors, social workers, and other mental and behavioral health personnel \u2014 as well as implement services in schools that create positive and safe climates for all students.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would:\n\nProhibit the use of federal funds for maintaining police in schools.\n\nInstead, federal funds would be diverted toward other uses related to school safety within applicable grant programs.\n\nInvest billions to help schools hire counselors, social workers, and other trauma-informed support personnel necessary to create safe, supportive learning environments for all students.\n\nThe grant funding would also help schools implement programs to improve school climate, such as school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports, and invest in trauma-informed services and professional development.\n\nProvide incentives to states and school districts to end the criminalization of young people \u2014 particularly Black, Native American and Latino students, immigrant students, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students and other historically marginalized students.\n\nThe legislation was led by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy D-Conn. Alongside Wyden, the bill was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.\n\nThis legislation is supported by Activists With A Purpose Plus, Advancement Project, Advocating 4 Kids Inc, Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint, Alliance for Quality Education, Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools, American Association of University Women, American Civil Liberties Union, American Humanist Association, AMORC, ARISE, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Black Organizing Project, Black Swan Academy, Blue Future and many other organizations.\n\nA one-page summary of the legislation is here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:49:58Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-colleagues-reintroduce-legislation-to-end-criminalization-of-students-and-create-safer-environment-for-kids"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8249860256910324, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}