A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions.

Key Points

• This resolution, introduced by Senator Markey, states that school support staff like teaching assistants, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers should be paid a "living wage." It highlights that many of these 3 million workers currently do not earn enough to support a family and often lack basic benefits like health insurance or retirement plans.
• The proposal suggests that these workers should receive 16 weeks of paid family and medical leave. It also says they should be paid during school closures, such as snow days or teacher training days, so their paychecks do not shrink unexpectedly during the school year.
• It calls for better job security by ending the practice of "at-will" employment for these roles. Instead of being fired for any reason or having their contracts end automatically every summer, the resolution says they should have contracts that renew automatically and only be fired if there is a fair, documented reason.
• The resolution emphasizes safety and inclusion, stating that staff should have a voice in school policies and protection from workplace violence. It also notes that these workers need proper training and equipment, especially as schools start using more technology like artificial intelligence.
• Because this is a "sense of the Senate" resolution, it does not change any laws or provide new funding right now. It serves as an official statement of support from the Senate, encouraging schools and local governments to improve how they treat the staff who help 49 million students every day.

Impact Analysis

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