READ Act
Education Department would fund states to help schools reopen quickly after major disasters
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Lets the Education Department send money to states to help schools reopen fast after a major disaster or emergency.
- Funding amounts would consider how many students were in schools that had to close, and would prioritize schools closed for 30+ days.
- Money could be used for things like restoring student records and computer systems, transportation, temporary classrooms, replacing textbooks, and minor repairs—but not new construction or major renovations.
- Non-public schools would get a reserved share based on their share of students statewide, with services required to be fair compared to public schools and provided quickly.
- Authorizes $200 million each year from 2026 to 2030, and says this help should add to (not replace) other disaster funds unless the school repays duplicate aid later.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Renters in disaster-affected areas are often the most displaced and least likely to return quickly to their communities. When local schools can reopen faster thanks to this funding, it removes a major barrier for renter families deciding whether to come back or relocate permanently. Faster school reopenings help stabilize neighborhoods and give displaced renter families a reason to return.
State Impacts
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
5 articles
How did Oneida High inspire bill US Rep. John Mannion just introduced?
Explains the Restarting Education After Disasters (READ) Act introduced Jan. 27, including multi-year Restart funding, expanded eligibility for state-declared disasters, and priority for 30+ day closures.
Representative Mannion (NY-22) Introduces 'Restarting Education After Disasters' Act to Help Schools Reopen and Recover
Announcement of the Restarting Education After Disasters (READ) Act: reauthorizes and strengthens the Education Department’s Restart program, expands eligibility, and prioritizes schools closed 30+ days.
Oneida High School reopens after flood repairs
Local report on Oneida High School reopening after flood repairs; provides context referenced by the READ Act’s sponsor but does not primarily focus on the bill itself.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
READ Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(2)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.