[1]U.S. Senator Chris Murphy

I just partnered with Rep. Ayanna Pressley to introduce the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act.

Our bill would invest $5 billion in hiring more counselors, social workers and other mental and behavioral health personnel in K-12 schools, while ending the practice of using federal dollars to pay for school police. The goal is to build environments that are nurturing and safer for all students because we know kids cannot learn if they don’t first feel safe and supported.

We’ve already got a number of co-sponsors, including Senators Warren, Booker, Duckworth, Markey, Van Hollen, and Wyden as well as Representatives Bowman and Omar. But we’re trying to build more support.

Will you add your name to become a citizen co-sponsor of our Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act today? We need to show our colleagues that the public supports greater investment in counseling services — not outdated and harmful disciplinary practices.

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Every child has a right to feel safe and supported in their classroom.

But in too many schools, we rely on punitive discipline practices that push kids out of school instead of addressing the root causes of misbehavior. That also often means putting police in schools before ensuring there are counselors, psychologists, and social workers present. We know this leads to situations where students are arrested for common misbehavior that could be better addressed by school staff trained to handle these issues.

And sadly, it’s no surprise that punitive practices disproportionately impact students of color and students with disabilities — worsening the inequities in our education system.

This is a chance for better education outcomes by reducing unnecessary, outdated punishments and increasing attendance and graduation rates.

School is meant to be a pipeline to opportunity — not prison, and if you agree, please sign my petition today:

Add your name to support the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act. Our students deserve to feel safe and supported in the classroom.

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Thank you for adding your voice to ours today.

Every best wish,

-Chris Murphy

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