Education

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8044: Establishes the libraries literacy education guidance act

This bill establishes the "libraries literacy education guidance act," directing the State Librarian to provide guidance on evidence-based practices for literacy education. This guidance, focusing on reading competency areas like phonemic awareness, phonics, and comprehension, will be distributed to all public and association libraries in New York state. It is primarily for students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, with modified guidance for older students and adults. The State Librarian must update this guidance every two years, considering feedback from the libraries.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes evidence-based literacy guidance for K-12 students, directly advancing curriculum standards and educational access through state library resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 1986: Extends the time period for recovery of energy performance contract costs incurred by school districts

Extends the time period from eighteen years to twenty-five years that a school shall be guaranteed recovery of energy performance contract costs from energy savings incurred by school districts over that time period.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends energy cost recovery period for school infrastructure, reducing operational burdens and enabling long-term savings for school districts.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends recovery period for school energy efficiency contracts, enabling longer-term cost recovery and encouraging investment in energy-saving measures.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4379: Requires the educational and vocational credits earned by incarcerated individuals are transferable upon release

Requires that curricula and educational programs provide incarcerated individuals the opportunity to earn educational or vocational credits which shall be transferable to an educational institution upon the release of the incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables transferable educational credits for incarcerated individuals, directly supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - core criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for incarcerated individuals by mandating transferable credits, directly aligning with 'expands educational access' support indicator.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 3249: Relates to driver education

S 3249 expands driver education options in New York by adding licensed state driving schools to the list of approved providers, alongside high schools and colleges. It directly affects minors seeking driver's licenses (Class D/M) by allowing them to complete approved courses at these driving schools, with specific provisions for two religious schools (Yeshiva of Staten Island and Hebrew Academy of Nassau County) to offer courses at non-traditional locations. Key provisions require classroom training by state-approved instructors, permit school districts to contract with driving schools for behind-the-wheel training, and allow students in approved courses to operate vehicles under instructor supervision during training. The bill mandates certification of course completion by the commissioner and updates licensing requirements for minors.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by adding licensed driving schools as approved providers for driver education, increasing options for minors seeking licenses.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands approved driver education providers to improve road safety standards for new drivers, directly advancing transportation safety regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 9885: Relates to reimbursement for nonpublic school safety equipment grants

Provides that reimbursement payable for grants for nonpublic school safety equipment shall be paid within twelve months of the nonpublic school furnishing all required application materials for such grant to the department of education; requires the commissioner of education to report on any such reimbursements payable.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates timely reimbursement for teacher hiring and safety grants, directly strengthening funding and resources for schools.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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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

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 3334: Requires the commissioner of education to establish Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and civic impact curriculum or instructions for school districts

Requires the commissioner to establish Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and civic impact curriculum or instructions for school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history in school curricula, enhancing educational content and diversity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 7701: Establishes a clinical preceptorship personal income tax credit for certain health care professionals who provide preceptor instruction to students

Establishes a clinical preceptorship personal income tax credit for certain health care professionals who provide preceptor instruction to students studying to be a health care professional.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates personal income tax credit for healthcare preceptors, providing direct tax relief and aligning with fiscal support for workforce development.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill incentivizes health care professionals to teach students via tax credit, supporting higher education training programs in health care fields.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax credit incentivizes healthcare professionals to mentor students, supporting workforce development and future healthcare access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 2046: Establishes the mental health educational opportunity program and the mental health higher educational opportunity program

Establishes the mental health educational opportunity program and the mental health higher educational opportunity program to provide additional educational opportunities for students at certain universities and colleges in the state to enroll in academic programs that lead to a degree or degrees required for licensure in any of the mental health professions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates mental health degree programs at universities to expand educational access and workforce preparation in higher education, directly advancing educational opportunity.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health education programs to train professionals, directly supporting workforce development for mental health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1072: Directs the commissioner of education to require public schools to report on compliance with art education instruction requirements

This bill directs the state education commissioner to require public school districts to report on their compliance with existing art education instruction requirements for elementary and secondary grades. Districts must detail which schools lack art education, reasons for non-compliance, student participation, and if they employ certified art teachers or provide sufficient class time. Superintendents of non-compliant districts must develop and implement corrective action plans, and districts failing to report will be listed publicly. The commissioner will also provide an annual report to the governor and legislative leaders analyzing the data and suggesting steps to ensure compliance across all public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates compliance reporting and corrective plans for art education, enforcing existing curriculum requirements to strengthen K-12 arts access and teacher standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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