Sponsors (12)
The bill raises and indexes pay for paraprofessionals—improving incomes, equity, and staff retention, especially in high-poverty schools—while creating a sizable, growing federal funding commitment and imposing tight local implementation requirements and administrative burdens that could force trade-offs at the state and local level.
Paraprofessionals and other education support staff nationwide would receive substantially higher, CPI-indexed pay (e.g., a $30/hr or $ $45,000 salary floor for FY2026–2030), directly increasing household income and financial stability for these workers.
Local education agencies (LEAs) serving high-poverty students would get priority subgrants so schools in low-income communities are more likely to meet the pay requirements within two years, directing resources to students and families with the greatest need.
Higher and more stable pay is likely to improve recruitment and retention of paraprofessionals and support staff, strengthening school operations and continuity of student supports.
The federal cost is large and will grow with CPI indexing, creating a substantial long-term obligation that could increase pressure on the federal budget and future appropriations.
States and LEAs face strict timelines and maintenance requirements that could force local budget reallocations or cuts to other programs if federal funds prove insufficient or delayed.
LEAs that rely on contracted staff may incur added administrative burden and higher costs to ensure contractors meet the pay floors, complicating procurement and vendor relationships.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Establishes federally funded statewide minimum salaries ($45,000 floor) and hourly wages ($30/hr floor) for paraprofessionals/support staff, with CPI‑linked indexing and $25B initial appropriation.
Official title: Ensure that paraprofessionals and education support staff are paid a living wage.
Introduced July 24, 2025 by Edward John Markey · Last progress July 24, 2025
Creates a federal program that requires states to set statewide minimum annual base salaries for full‑time paraprofessionals and minimum hourly wages for part‑time education support staff in local educational agencies, with statutory floors and automatic indexing. Provides a large ongoing federal appropriation (initially $25 billion for FY2026, indexed annually) to support state implementation, reserves a small share for research and workforce development, and ties future minimums to CPI‑based adjustments or a 2% floor every five years.