STUDENT Act

This proposal changes the federal charter of the National Education Association (NEA). It would require the NEA and its state and local affiliates to get clear, written consent from public employees before taking dues, and it would ban collecting dues through payroll deduction. Members could cancel at any time, and cancellations must be processed promptly . It also sets rules for how the NEA operates: no political activity by the organization or its officers, no discrimination or quotas, detailed record‑keeping, yearly reports to Congress, and possible court action by the U.S. Attorney General if the group violates these rules . The bill would also end the NEA’s property tax exemption in Washington, DC .

The NEA and its affiliates could not call or take part in strikes that affect state or local governments. They also could not require or encourage staff or members to adopt certain beliefs about race, sex, or antisemitism, or push schools to make students affirm those beliefs. The NEA and all affiliates would be treated as labor organizations and must follow labor‑reporting laws . The findings section criticizes the NEA’s recent political activities and public positions, which is offered as the reason for these changes .

Key points

• Who is affected: NEA, its state and local affiliates, public school employees who are members, and DC property tax authorities .
• What changes:
  • Dues only with clear consent; no payroll deduction; easy cancellation .
  • No organizational political activity; anti‑discrimination and governance rules; annual reports; federal enforcement possible .
  • No strikes affecting state or local governments; limits on promoting certain beliefs; must follow labor‑reporting laws .
  • DC property tax exemption repealed .
• When: These changes would take effect by amending the NEA’s federal charter in U.S. law; no specific dates are listed in the text provided .