Education (Student Health)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 447: Relates to requiring guidance counselors in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high school

Requires at least one full-time guidance counselor to be employed in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior and senior high school throughout the state; sets duties of guidance counselors.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates full-time guidance counselors in all K-12 schools, directly enhancing student support services and aligning with educational resource allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4938: Relates to requiring free internet service in households with students who live at or below the poverty level

Requires free internet service in households with students who live at or below the poverty level; directs broadband companies to install and/or upgrade broadband services in educational facilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires free internet for low-income students and upgrades school broadband, expanding digital access to education95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyThe bill expands internet access for low-income students and upgrades broadband in educational facilities, directly promoting digital equity within the technology topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3185: Requires a school nurse to be on the premises during school hours in any school having an enrollment of 100 pupils or more

This bill requires all public schools with 100 or more enrolled students to have a registered professional nurse physically present on-site during all school hours. It amends education law to mandate that school boards ensure this nurse is available to assist with student health needs, including emergencies and health instruction. The requirement directly affects schools meeting the enrollment threshold, ensuring consistent health support for students during school days.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school nurses for health support, directly enhancing student safety and access to care during school hours, aligning with education health program strengthening.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school nurses on-site for student health needs during school hours, improving access to health services in schools per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6046: Relates to discipline in schools

Prohibits the use of certain restraints and aversive interventions against students; includes policies and procedures for responding to students who have mental health crises in school safety plans; provides that no student shall be subjected to chemical restraints, mechanical restraints, or seclusion on school property; requires the board of education or trustees of each public school and school district to develop a procedure to notify the parent or legal guardian of a student on the same day a physical restraint is applied on such student, such student is placed in a time out room, or such student is subjected to a prohibited form of discipline.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits harmful restraints/seclusion and mandates mental health crisis protocols in schools, directly protecting student welfare and improving school safety policies.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires school safety plans for mental health crises and prohibits harmful restraints, directly supporting mental health services in educational settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Student Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5024: Requires the department of education to develop school health and mental health professionals to student ratios in public schools

Requires the department of education to develop school health and mental health professionals to student ratios in public schools for students who do not receive services pursuant to the individuals with disabilities education act.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates development of health/mental health professional-to-student ratios, enhancing student access to support services and aligning with educational access and student program support.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates developing school mental health professional-to-student ratios, directly advancing access to mental health services for students outside IDEA coverage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3988: Relates to written notification to schools of a student's placement in foster care

This bill requires social services districts or authorized agencies to send written notice to a school's principal within the first day a foster care child enrolls. The notice must include specific details like the child's name, foster placement address, previous school, and social services contact, ensuring schools are promptly informed of a student's foster care status. All information shared under this bill must be kept confidential and cannot be disclosed beyond the required notification. The law takes effect 120 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires timely notification to schools about foster care children, enabling better educational support and access for this vulnerable student group within K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8560: Directs the department of education to issue guidance for schools to offer take-home meals in the event of a disruption in food assistance programs

Directs the department of education to issue guidance for schools to offer take-home meals in the event of a disruption in food assistance programs or other circumstances identified by the department as creating a risk of food insecurity among students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly addresses student food insecurity during disruptions, ensuring educational access through take-home meal guidance per Department of Education mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4289: Requires certain public schools to provide Halal food during lunch

Requires certain public schools in any city with a population over one million to offer Halal food options during lunch to students with dietary restrictions free of charge.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to accommodate dietary restrictions via Halal food, expanding educational access for affected students without cost.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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died · New York · Senate May 21, 2026

S 3278: Provides for licensure of school psychology practitioners

Provides for the licensure of school psychology practitioners; authorizes the use of the title "licensed school psychology practitioner" to licensed or exempt individuals; defines practice of licensed school psychology practitioners; sets forth requirements for professional licensure (including educational attainment, experience, exam and fee); provides for issuance of limited permits under specified circumstances; identifies exempt persons; establishes mandatory continuing education requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes licensure standards for school psychologists, enhancing professional qualifications in educational settings per bill's focus on practice requirements and titles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2240: Provides for absence from school for the mental or behavioral health of the minor

This bill amends New York's education law to explicitly allow students to be absent from school for "mental or behavioral health" reasons, alongside existing permitted absences like religious observance. It directly affects minor students and their schools, ensuring mental health needs are recognized as a valid reason for absence without penalty. The key mechanism requires the state education commissioner to establish specific rules for how schools must handle such absences. The law does not create new requirements but formalizes existing practice under a clear policy framework.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExplicitly allows mental health absences without penalty, recognizing student well-being as valid reason for absence, directly supporting educational access and student needs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly recognizes mental health as valid school absence reason, enabling access to care without penalty, aligning with mental health service support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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