PROTECT Our Kids Act

The bill would prohibit any federal education funds — under any program covered by the General Education Provisions Act — from being made available to an elementary or secondary school that falls into one of three categories: it has a partnership with a Chinese government-funded cultural or language institute (including a Confucius Institute); it operates a learning center supported by the Chinese government (commonly called a Confucius Classroom); or it otherwise receives support from any individual or entity acting on behalf of the Chinese government, in any form including teaching materials, personnel, funds, or other resources. The prohibition would take effect one year after enactment. The Department of Education would also be required to notify all affected schools of the requirements and issue compliance guidance within 90 days of enactment.

Schools that already hold a qualifying contract before the bill is enacted could apply for a waiver by submitting the full, unredacted contract text (translated into English if needed) and a statement demonstrating that the contract benefits the school's mission and promotes U.S. security, stability, and economic vitality. The Secretary of Education may grant such a waiver, but it would expire when the underlying contract terminates. The bill does not create any new federal spending; it restricts eligibility for existing federal education programs.

Elementary and secondary schools across the country that currently partner with Confucius Institutes, operate Confucius Classrooms, or receive any form of Chinese government support — including those receiving Title I, Title II, or other federal education program funds. The Department of Education and its Secretary are also directly assigned new administrative duties under the bill.

Schools with existing Chinese government ties that cannot or choose not to sever them would lose access to all federal K-12 education funding — potentially including Title I poverty funding and other major program dollars — once the prohibition takes effect. Schools with contracts signed before enactment would have a narrow window to seek a waiver, but must expose the full contract terms to federal review and justify the arrangement on national-security grounds.

Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary of Education would issue notice and compliance guidance to elementary and secondary schools nationwide. The one-year phase-in period would give schools time to assess their relationships and take steps toward compliance. Schools with pre-existing contracts may submit a waiver request — including the complete contract text and a justification statement — and the Secretary may approve waivers lasting only until the contract expires. No rulemaking process is specified; the bill is largely self-executing once guidance is issued and the effective date passes.