1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support H.R. 8360, the Commission on Advancing Restorative Justice in Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2026. If approved, this bill will address racial/gender disparities in school discipline, establishing a commission to support mental health, increase culturally competent training, and reduce punitive measures against students of color. Restorative Justice (RJ) practices are important in the classroom because they address discipline with community-oriented approaches, fostering safe environments that increase student belonging, improve academic achievement, and reduce school suspensions. RJ builds empathy, accountability, and relationships, allowing students to repair harm while addressing the root causes of conflict. Restorative practices reduce disruptive behavior by focusing on accountability rather than exclusion. By using techniques like restorative circles and proactive relationship building, schools cultivate a culture of trust and respect, improving student connectedness. RJ also fosters empathy and self-management, teaching students to resolve conflicts peacefully and understand the impact of their actions. Restorative practices help narrow racial disparities in school discipline, offering a more positive, safe, and stable environment that fosters improved student behavior and higher academic achievement. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Education, in collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to establish the commission and promote culturally competent professional development for educators. The commission will create standardized definitions of "restorative justice" and "restorative practices" for educational use, develop training materials for school staff that address cultural competency, improve the ability of school staff to provide accessible and culturally relevant mental health supports to students in need. As of April 16, 2026, the bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. I urge you to support H.R. 8360 in committee, during open debate, and when it is brought to the floor for a vote. Thank you.