Less Bureaucracy, Better Family Engagement Act (H.R. 9608)

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 bill to specified congressional committees.

The transfer of these functions does not affect any suits, proceedings, or applications for benefits, services, licenses, permits, certificates, or financial assistance that are pending on the date of this bill's enactment.