H.R. 9608 · In committee · Education

Less Bureaucracy, Better Family Engagement Act

What it does

Transfer family engagement and school safety program functions from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Shift all associated personnel, budgets, and administrative authorities for four specified education programs to HHS.
Require the Office of Management and Budget to certify that the transfer does not increase net full-time equivalent employees at either agency.
Preserve all pending lawsuits, benefit applications, and license proceedings related to the transferred programs.

Official summary

Less Bureaucracy, Better Family Engagement Act This bill transfers specified functions relating to family engagement programs for elementary and secondary education from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Specifically, the bill transfers to HHS all the functions and authorities exercised by ED before the bill's effective date related to the following four programs: Family Engagement in Education Programs, the Community Support for School Success program, the National Activities for School Safety program, and the Ready to Learn Programming program. (In February 2026, ED announced an interagency agreement with HHS for HHS to provide services supporting the administration of these programs.) Additionally, the bill transfers to HHS all personnel and appropriations related to the functions that are transferred under this bill. The bill outlines the authority of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to the functions that are transferred under this bill, including that OMB must ensure that this bill does not create a net increase in full-time equivalent employees at HHS or ED. Further, OMB must certify compliance with the…

Latest action

Jul 15, 2026: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 15.

Committee: House Education and Workforce