Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025

Senate Bill

S. 1538

119th Congress

Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Sep 2, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Martin Heinrich

Senator

Democratic

NM

Cosponsors

11

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Education

Summary

The Living Schoolyards Act of 2023 would provide grants to schools to create outdoor learning spaces on their grounds. These spaces could include dedicated areas for outdoor classrooms with seating and tables, or places to take regular classes outside. The bill also requires the Department of Education to maintain a resource hub with information to help schools set up these outdoor learning areas.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

SponsorMartin Heinrich (D-NM)

Introduced9/2/2025

StatusRead twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

ChamberSenate

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025

The Living Schoolyards Act of 2023 would provide grants to schools to create outdoor learning spaces on their grounds. These spaces could include dedicated areas for outdoor classrooms with seating and tables, or places to take regular classes outside. The bil

Community Breakdown

Pass

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Fail

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0 predictions

The Living Schoolyards Act of 2023 would provide grants to schools to create outdoor learning spaces on their grounds. These spaces could include dedicated areas for outdoor classrooms with seating and tables, or places to take regular classes outside. The bill also requires the Department of Education to maintain a resource hub with information to help schools set up these outdoor learning areas.

Bill Number: 1538
Sponsor: Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Introduced: 9/2/2025
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Policy Area: Education

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025
Bill Number: 1538
Sponsor: Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced: 9/2/2025
Summary: The Living Schoolyards Act of 2023 would provide grants to schools to create outdoor learning spaces on their grounds. These spaces could include dedicated areas for outdoor classrooms with seating and tables, or places to take regular classes outside. The bill also requires the Department of Educat

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Living Schoolyards Act of 2023 would provide grants to schools to create outdoor learning spaces on their grounds. These spaces could include dedicated areas for outdoor classrooms with seating and tables, or places to take regular classes outside. The bill also requires the Department of Education to maintain a resource hub with information to help schools set up these outdoor learning areas.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Living Schoolyards Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to eligible entities (e.g., local educational agencies) for planning, designing, and constructing outdoor learning spaces on school grounds. Outdoor learning space refers to an outdoor physical space on school grounds that is (1) dedicated to meet or conduct curriculum-tied activities, (2) a dedicated space for outdoor classrooms that has seating and tables installed for students and teachers to meet regularly, or (3) a place that is used when the need arises to take learning outdoors. Additionally, ED must maintain a clearinghouse that provides specified information, including links and information about state and local entities with expertise in outdoor learning spaces and environmental education.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Provides grants to schools to build outdoor learning spaces on their grounds, such as dedicated outdoor classrooms
Requires the Department of Education to maintain a clearinghouse with information to help schools create these outdoor learning areas
Aims to expand opportunities for students to learn in outdoor, hands-on environments

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If passed, this bill would benefit students at K-12 schools across the country by giving them more chances to learn outdoors and experience curriculum in real-world settings. Schools in both urban and rural areas could use the grants to develop new outdoor learning spaces or enhance existing ones. This could particularly benefit students who lack access to natural areas, providing them with valuable experiences connecting with the environment.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Education

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1538, 119th Congress (2025). "Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-1538

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