H.R. 6525

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6525 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6525

To establish a national framework to prevent, detect, and respond to 
educator sexual misconduct, to create a National Educator Misconduct 
and Discipline Registry, and to create a Federal Task Force on Educator 
Sexual Misconduct, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 9, 2025

Mr. Hunt introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee 
on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To establish a national framework to prevent, detect, and respond to 
educator sexual misconduct, to create a National Educator Misconduct 
and Discipline Registry, and to create a Federal Task Force on Educator 
Sexual Misconduct, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``National Educator Safety and 
Accountability Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The safety of children in schools is a compelling 
national interest requiring consistent Federal oversight and 
standards.
(2) Cases of educator sexual misconduct have increased in 
several States, and there is currently no uniform national 
reporting mechanism to track offenders.
(3) Gaps in reporting and communication between school 
districts and State education agencies have allowed individuals 
with substantiated misconduct to obtain new employment with 
children.
(4) Mandatory, standardized training on professional 
boundaries, grooming behaviors, and reporting requirements is 
essential to preventing abuse.
(5) A coordinated Federal effort is necessary to gather 
data, analyze national trends, identify weaknesses, and support 
the development of best practices.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

For the purposes of this Act:
(1) ``Educator'' means any individual employed by, 
contracted with, or volunteering in a school, including 
teachers, administrators, coaches, aides, substitutes, 
contractors, and any person with regular access to students.
(2) ``School'' means any public elementary or secondary 
school, charter school, or other educational entity receiving 
Federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965.
(3) ``Sexual misconduct'' includes sexual abuse, 
exploitation, grooming behavior, boundary violations, 
inappropriate communications, and any conduct directed toward a 
student that violates Federal, State, or local policies or 
criminal statutes.
(4) ``State educational agency'' has the meaning given in 
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
(5) ``NEMDR'' means the National Educator Misconduct and 
Discipline Registry established under this Act.

TITLE I--NATIONAL EDUCATOR MISCONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE REGISTRY

SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGISTRY.

(a) Creation.--The Secretary of Education, in coordination with the 
Attorney General, shall establish and maintain the National Educator 
Misconduct and Discipline Registry (NEMDR).
(b) Purpose.--The Registry shall serve as a national clearinghouse 
of educator discipline records to prevent the rehiring of individuals 
with substantiated misconduct involving students.
(c) Contents.--The Registry shall include:
(1) Records of license revocations, suspensions, and 
disciplinary actions related to sexual misconduct.
(2) Findings of misconduct by school districts or State 
agencies.
(3) Reports of resignations submitted during an active 
investigation.
(4) Prohibitions on student contact imposed by any school, 
district, or State agency.

SEC. 102. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Mandatory Reporting.--Each school and school district shall 
report to both the State educational agency and NEMDR within 48 hours 
of:
(1) Any final finding of educator sexual misconduct;
(2) Any termination, non-renewal, or discipline related to 
such misconduct;
(3) Any resignation tendered during a pending 
investigation; and
(4) Any other substantial evidence of grooming or boundary 
violations.
(b) Prohibition on ``Passing the Trash''.--No school or school 
district may enter into an agreement that conceals, suppresses, or 
prevents dissemination of information about substantiated misconduct.
(c) State Reporting.--State educational agencies shall transmit 
disciplinary actions and licensure determinations to NEMDR within 30 
days of issuance.

SEC. 103. ACCESS TO THE REGISTRY.

(a) Authorized Users.--Access to NEMDR shall be granted to:
(1) School districts;
(2) State educational agencies;
(3) Law enforcement, as authorized; and
(4) Certifying or licensing bodies.
(b) Use in Hiring.--A school shall query NEMDR as part of every 
hiring decision involving any position with student contact.

SEC. 104. PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.

(a) Funding Consequences.--Any State or school district that fails 
to comply with reporting requirements shall be ineligible for selected 
Federal education grants designated by the Secretary.
(b) Civil Penalties.--The Secretary may impose civil penalties for 
repeated violations.
(c) Corrective Action Plans.--Noncompliant States or districts must 
submit a corrective action plan within 60 days.

TITLE II--FEDERAL TASK FORCE ON EDUCATOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT.

The Secretary of Education and the Attorney General shall jointly 
establish a Federal Task Force on Educator Sexual Misconduct.

SEC. 202. MEMBERSHIP.

Membership shall include:
(1) Representatives of the Department of Education;
(2) The Department of Justice;
(3) State educational agencies;
(4) Child protection specialists;
(5) Data and criminal justice experts; and
(6) Law enforcement officials.

SEC. 203. DUTIES OF THE TASK FORCE.

The Task Force shall:
(1) Collect and analyze national data from NEMDR;
(2) Identify systemic weaknesses and high-risk indicators;
(3) Publish annual public reports to Congress;
(4) Provide recommendations for policy enhancement; and
(5) Offer technical assistance to States on compliance and 
prevention strategies.

TITLE III--IMPLEMENTATION

SEC. 301. RULEMAKING.

The Secretary of Education and the Attorney General shall issue 
such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this Act.

SEC. 302. EFFECTIVE DATES.

(a) Reporting and training requirements shall take effect 12 months 
after enactment.
(b) NEMDR shall be fully operational no later than 24 months after 
enactment.
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