Bill

S 2738

ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act

119th Congress Introduced by Chris Coons and 6 co-sponsors

The ESP Family Leave Act ensures paid family leave for education support staff, allowing them to care for loved ones without job loss or income worries.

Introduced in Senate

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · S 2738

Summary of Bill S 2738: ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act

Purpose and Intent

The ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act (S 2738) aims to provide essential family leave protections for education support professionals, paraprofessionals, and other education support staff. The bill seeks to ensure that these vital members of the educational workforce have access to paid family leave, allowing them to care for family members during critical times without the fear of losing their jobs or income.

Key Provisions

Paid Family Leave: The bill proposes to establish a framework for paid family leave specifically for education support staff, which includes:
- Eligibility: All full-time and part-time education support professionals, including paraprofessionals.
- Duration: Eligible employees would be entitled to a specified number of weeks of paid leave per year to care for a newborn, a newly adopted child, or a seriously ill family member.
- Compensation: The bill outlines a compensation structure that ensures employees receive a percentage of their regular wages during the leave period.
Job Protection: Employees taking leave under this act would be guaranteed the right to return to their positions or equivalent roles upon their return from leave.
Funding Mechanism: The bill includes provisions for funding the paid leave program, potentially through federal grants or state-level contributions, ensuring that schools and educational institutions can sustain these benefits.

Affected Parties

Education Support Staff: The primary beneficiaries of this legislation are education support professionals, including paraprofessionals, who play a crucial role in the educational system.
Schools and Educational Institutions: Schools will need to adapt to the new leave requirements, which may involve budgeting for the paid leave program and ensuring compliance with the new regulations.
Families: Families of education support staff will benefit from the ability to take necessary time off for caregiving without financial strain.

Legislative Process and Timeline

Introduced: The bill was introduced in the Senate on September 9, 2025.
Committee Review: Following its introduction, the bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for further consideration.

Related Legislation

HR 5222: This bill has a companion in the House of Representatives, which may facilitate discussions and potential passage in both chambers.

This summary provides an overview of the ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and the impact it may have on education support staff and the broader educational community.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.