Sponsors (3)
This bill aims to reduce potential foreign (PRC) influence in K–12 education and provides transition guidance, but does so by cutting ties to certain programs in ways that may remove funding, impose disclosure requirements, and create compliance uncertainty for schools and communities.
Public K–12 schools and students will be less likely to receive federal support tied to programs connected to the People's Republic of China, reducing potential foreign influence in school curricula and campus activities.
Schools and districts get a one-year lead time plus a waiver process for existing contracts, giving educators and communities time to adjust and avoid abrupt program cancellations.
Schools, districts, and local governments will receive required notification and compliance guidance from the Secretary within 90 days, improving clarity about obligations and next steps.
Students, teachers, and school districts that rely on PRC-supported language or cultural programs may lose federal funding, risking program cuts, staff losses, reduced learning opportunities, and increased costs for local taxpayers—especially in underserved areas.
Schools and educators with pre-existing contracts will have to disclose full, unredacted (and translated) agreements, creating administrative burdens and potentially exposing sensitive institutional or partner information.
Relying on cross-references to existing statutes creates compliance ambiguity—schools and states may need to consult multiple laws to determine coverage, and future changes to those statutes could unintentionally expand or narrow the Act's scope.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits federal education funds from going to K–12 schools that partner with, host, or receive support from cultural or language institutes funded directly or indirectly by the Government of the People’s Republic of China (explicitly including Confucius Institutes and similar "Classroom" programs). The ban takes effect one year after the law is enacted, but schools with preexisting contracts can apply for a temporary waiver by submitting the full unredacted contract and a statement about how the contract benefits students and U.S. interests. The Department of Education must notify schools and issue guidance within 90 days of enactment.
Introduced February 6, 2025 by Kevin Hern · Last progress December 4, 2025