Prevent users from changing post status

Add this code where it’s should be (plugin/functions.php/mu-plugin) – simple “hide” method using css.

add_action('admin_print_styles-post.php',     'hide_publishing_block_using_css');
add_action('admin_print_styles-post-new.php', 'hide_publishing_block_using_css');
function hide_publishing_block_using_css(){
    echo '<style>#misc-publishing-actions{display:none;}</style>';
}