Shielding Students from Wildfire Smoke Act

This bill aims to improve understanding and policy responses regarding the impacts of wildfire smoke on children in educational and childcare settings. To achieve this, it directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). NASEM will then conduct a comprehensive review of existing policies and mitigation strategies. The NASEM review will assess how K-12 educational settings and childcare facilities, including associated out-of-school activities like sports and camps, protect children from wildfire smoke exposure both during and after events. This assessment will cover current standards, guidance, and mitigation strategies, while also identifying gaps in related research and policy. The ultimate goal is to provide recommendations to Congress on strategies to better safeguard children from wildfire smoke, with a particular focus on improving protection for those in under-resourced K-12 educational and childcare environments.