H.R. 7497: Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act of 2026
Sponsor
Jahana Hayes
Democrat · CT-5
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 11, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Why it matters
The bill authorizes $50 million a year from 2027 through 2031 and allows grants to run up to five years, giving schools and youth-serving providers enough runway to hire staff, train educators, and build systems instead of patchwork pilot programs. It also requires awards to be spread across tribal, rural, urban, and suburban communities, which matters because trauma and unmet mental health needs are not confined to big-city districts; the main political downside is that critics may see it as another federal education initiative with broad goals and limited dollars.
H.R. 7497 Common Questions
How much money would the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act provide?
It authorizes $50 million a year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 under the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act (Sec. 2(l)).
Can schools get trauma-informed education grants for up to 5 years under HR7497?
Yes. According to HR7497 Section 2(b), each grant may last for a period of not more than 5 years.
What percentage of trauma-informed education grant funds can be used for evaluation and administration?
Under the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act, up to 3% may be reserved for evaluation and up to 2% for technical assistance and administration (Sec. 2(a)(2)).
Which groups are eligible for trauma-informed education grants under HR7497?
Eligible entities include SEAs, LEAs, Indian Tribes, tribal educational agencies, the Bureau of Indian Education, Regional Corporations, Native Hawaiian educational organizations, and Child Care and Development Fund lead agencies (Sec. 2(k)(2)).
Does HR7497 require trauma-informed education grants to be spread across rural, urban, suburban, and tribal communities?
Yes. Under the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act, awards must be equitably distributed among geographic regions and among tribal, urban, suburban, and rural populations (Sec. 2(g)).
Can trauma-informed education grant money be used for staff mental health and resiliency programs?
Yes. According to HR7497 Section 2(c)(8), recipients may use funds for mental health and resiliency programs for school personnel.
Does the bill require schools to partner with mental health, juvenile justice, and child welfare agencies?
Yes. Under the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act, recipients must establish local interagency agreements with mental health, juvenile justice, child welfare, early childhood, and Head Start entities (Sec. 2(e)(1)).
Can trauma-informed education grants support peer support and services for students with disabilities?
Yes. Under the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act, applications must address peer support integration and accessibility for students with disabilities (Sec. 2(d)).
Does HR7497 stop schools from reporting student crimes to police?
No. According to HR7497 Section 2(h), nothing in the bill prohibits reporting student crimes to authorities or limits law enforcement or courts in handling those crimes.
Can states or school districts replace existing education funding with HR7497 grant money?
No. Under the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act, federal funds must supplement, not supplant, existing federal, state, or local funds (Sec. 2(i)).
Based on H.R. 7497 bill text
HR7497 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Feb 11, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
About the Sponsor
Jahana Hayes
Democrat, Connecticut's 5th congressional district · 7 years in Congress
Committees: Agriculture, Education and Workforce
View full profile →
Cosponsors (20)
All 20 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 16 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, and 13 more.
Shontel Brown
Democrat · OH
Eleanor Norton
Democrat · DC
Debbie Dingell
Democrat · MI
Seth Moulton
Democrat · MA
Shri Thanedar
Democrat · MI
Maxwell Frost
Democrat · FL
Terri Sewell
Democrat · AL
Mark Takano
Democrat · CA
Melanie Stansbury
Democrat · NM
Stephen Lynch
Democrat · MA
Cleo Fields
Democrat · LA
Zoe Lofgren
Democrat · CA
Committee Sponsors
Education and Workforce Committee
2 of 36 committee members cosponsored
13 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 7497 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 7134 of SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (42 U.S.C. 280h-7)
read as follows: ``SEC
H.R. 7497 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Education and Workforce
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Education
- Introduced
- Feb 11, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Feb 11, 2026
H.R. 7497 Bill Text
“To amend the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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