Protecting our Students in Schools Act of 2025

The "Protecting our Students in Schools Act of 2025" aims to eliminate the use of corporal punishment in schools that receive federal financial assistance. It broadly defines corporal punishment as any deliberate act causing physical pain for discipline, including striking, spanking, paddling, forcing painful positions, or using chemical sprays, electroshock weapons, or stun guns. Beyond prohibition, the bill seeks to ensure student health and safety, promote a positive school climate, and reduce exclusionary and aversive discipline practices by encouraging positive behavioral interventions. The legislation explicitly prohibits program personnel, law enforcement officers, or school security guards from subjecting students to corporal punishment. To enforce this, it grants students or parents a private right of action in federal or state courts for damages and injunctive relief. Additionally, the Attorney General is authorized to initiate civil actions, and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within the Department of Education is mandated to investigate complaints, with the power to withhold federal funds or issue cease and desist orders for non-compliance. Programs are required to notify parents, the State educational agency, and local law enforcement within 24 hours of any incident of corporal punishment. For students with disabilities, relevant protection and advocacy systems must also be notified. State educational agencies receiving federal funds must provide assurances of compliance, including notifying all programs and parents of the new requirements and ensuring personnel receive appropriate training. The bill establishes a grant program, allowing the Secretary of Education to award funds to State educational agencies to improve school climate and culture. These grants support the implementation of positive behavioral interventions and supports and other evidence-based models like restorative justice and trauma-informed care, with the goal of reducing exclusionary discipline practices. Priority for grants is given to states and local educational agencies with high rates of suspensions, arrests, or referrals to law enforcement, or those lacking positive behavioral interventions. The Act also applies to schools operated or funded by the Departments of Defense and Interior. It clarifies that its provisions do not limit existing stronger state or local laws against corporal punishment, nor does it affect the lawful duties of sworn law enforcement officers. Importantly, the bill explicitly states it does not apply to private schools that do not receive federal funds or to home schools.