Education

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8630: Enacts the "freedom to read act"

Requires each board of education to adopt a written policy for reconsideration of school library materials and make such policy available on its website; requires such policies to include provisions for the creation of a reconsideration committee to review complaints regarding school library materials; requires the commissioner of education to develop one or more model policies for school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school boards to adopt policies for reconsidering library materials after complaints, protecting access to diverse educational resources per 'freedom to read' intent.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 4037: Relates to the compulsory age for full time instruction from six to five years of age and certain exceptions for minor children

This bill lowers the compulsory school age from six to five years old for full-time instruction in New York State. It requires children who turn five on or before December 1st to start school in September of that year, while those turning five after December 1st can begin the following September. Parents may choose to delay kindergarten enrollment until the next September, and the bill maintains exceptions for high school completers and full-time workers. The change affects all school districts and parents of five-year-old children.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers compulsory school age to five, expanding early education access for K-12 students by requiring earlier enrollment for most five-year-olds.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 519: Establishes the underrepresented teachers of tomorrow teacher recruitment and retention program

Establishes the underrepresented teachers of tomorrow teacher recruitment and retention program to attract and retain underrepresented certified teachers in schools which have an underrepresentation of underrepresented certified teachers; provides for grants and procedures for applying for such grants and eligibility requirements for fund distribution.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant program to fund recruitment/retention of underrepresented teachers, advancing equity in education staffing and addressing school underrepresentation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 9643: Relates to banning the use of biometric identifying technology in schools

This bill prohibits public and nonpublic schools, including charter schools, from purchasing or using biometric identifying technology like facial recognition for most purposes. The law allows exceptions for fingerprinting prospective employees to comply with education laws, logging into digital devices for academic use, and identifying employees who have provided written consent or whose unions have consented. The bill requires the director of the state education department to prepare a detailed report analyzing privacy risks, civil rights impacts, security effectiveness, data retention, breach risks, costs, and other factors before any such technology can be authorized for school use. This report must be made public and shared with state leaders while seeking feedback from teachers, parents, safety experts, and privacy advocates through public hearings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects student privacy by restricting biometric technology use in schools, enhancing educational environment safety and data protection85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts use of biometric technology in schools, limiting adoption of facial recognition and other identifying tech despite exceptions for employee verification.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 8151: Authorizes the commissioner of taxation and finance to establish segment special equalization rates for certain school districts

Authorizes the commissioner of taxation and finance to establish segment special equalization rates starting in fiscal year 2026 for the Amityville Union Free School District and Farmingdale Union Free School District for the segments of the districts in the towns of Babylon and Oyster Bay.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes equalization rates to ensure equitable school district funding allocation, strengthening resource distribution for K-12 schools in specified districts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 6, 2026

S 319: Relates to educational leave for eligible incarcerated individuals

Provides that for the purposes of educational leave, an eligible incarcerated individual shall include an incarcerated individual who is within two years of being an eligible incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands educational leave eligibility for incarcerated individuals, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key aspects of criminal justice reform in corrections.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for incarcerated individuals by extending eligibility for educational leave, aligning with 'educational access' under the topic description.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

passed · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 8853: Relates to vaccines and immunizations of children

Requires the administration of certain vaccines for children in accordance with regulations issued by the commissioner, utilizing generally accepted medical standards and based on recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or other similar nationally or internationally recognized scientific organizations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school-required vaccines for K-12 attendance, ensuring student health and preventing disruptions to educational access as standard school policy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates childhood vaccines per medical guidelines, advancing public health prevention standards and aligning with major medical organizations' recommendations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

passed · New York · Senate Feb 11, 2026

S 317: Requires anti-bias training for every medical student, medical resident and physician assistant student in the state

Requires anti-bias training for every medical student, medical resident and physician assistant student in the state; requires the department of health to make an annual report on the implementation and effectiveness of such training.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates anti-bias training for medical students in higher education, enhancing curriculum standards within educational institutions.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires anti-bias training for medical students/residents to improve equitable care delivery, aligning with patient access and rights protections in healthcare policy.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 460: Prohibits the commissioner from promulgating any rules or regulations which prevent schools from disallowing biological male students at birth to participate on a team organized for females

Prohibits the commissioner from promulgating any rules or regulations which prevent schools from disallowing biologically male students at birth to participate on a team organized for females where a school determines such biological male student's participation would have an adverse effect on the physical or emotional safety of female participants, or would adversely impact a female student's ability to participate successfully in interschool athletic competition.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts transgender students' access to female sports teams in K-12 schools, opposing inclusive athletic participation policies under education topic.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

Track

vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 1099: Enacts the freedom to read act

Enacts the "freedom to read act"; requires the commissioner of education and school library systems to develop policies to ensure that school libraries and library staff are empowered to curate and develop collections that provide students with access to the widest array of developmentally appropriate materials available.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates policies enabling school libraries to provide diverse, developmentally appropriate materials, directly enhancing educational access and curriculum freedom in K-12 schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track