Protect Our Students Act

H.R. 6821 · 119th Congress · Dec 17, 2025 · Lineage

A BILL

To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to include reducing injuries and deaths resulting from crashes in school zones as eligible programming under State highway safety programs, and for other purposes.

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Protect Our Students Act”.

Sec. 2 Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)

School zone safety issues are prevalent across our communities and warrant additional Federal funding and attention.

(2)

Each year, approximately 100 students are killed in traffic incidents walking to or from school and 25,000 students are injured.

(3)

No student should have to fear for their lives when walking to or from school.

Sec. 3 Highway safety programs

Section 402(a)(2)(vi) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting “and traffic incidents in school zones” after “buses”.

Sec. 4 Regulations

The Secretary of Transportation shall issue such regulations as are necessary to clarify that highway safety program uses for school zone safety improvements under section 402(2)(vi) of title 23, United States Code, may include—

(1)

crossing guards;

(2)

flashing lights and beacons;

(3)

visible signage and markings;

(4)

crosswalks;

(5)

traffic calming measures, including pedestrian islands;

(6)

traffic lights;

(7)

school zones audits and assessments;

(8)

automated traffic enforcement; and

(9)

Safe Routes to School non-infrastructure.

Sec. 5 Allocation

Section 402(b)(1)(C) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking “40 percent” and inserting “50 percent”.