Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act

This bill prohibits federal funding for police officers in schools and creates a $5 billion grant program to help schools replace law enforcement with mental health professionals like counselors, social workers, and psychologists. It requires schools to eliminate police contracts before receiving funds and mandates that grant money be used for trauma-informed services, restorative practices, and evidence-based mental health support. The law specifically aims to address racial disparities in school discipline by reducing arrests and referrals to law enforcement, particularly for students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ students. Over 10 million students attend schools with police but no social workers, and the bill directly affects these schools by providing funding to transition to supportive services instead of criminalization.