Education

passed · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

K 1487: Mourning the death of Jacinth C. Brown, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community

This bill is a resolution honoring Jacinth C. Brown, a teacher and community leader from Far Rockaway, Queens, who passed away in March 2026. It directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to mourn her death and acknowledges her long career in education, her religious service, and her role as a mother and matriarch. The resolution formally recognizes her contributions and instructs officials to send a copy of the document to her family.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors a teacher and community leader, acknowledging her contributions to education and community, which aligns with supporting educators.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · New York · Senate May 15, 2026

S 10372: Requires community service for graduation from high school

This bill mandates that high school students complete a total of 36 hours of community service to be eligible for graduation. The requirement breaks down to a minimum of eight service hours per academic year for students in grades nine through twelve. State officials are tasked with creating the specific programs and processes to track and verify these service hours. The law would take effect on July 1st of the year following its enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates community service for graduation, enhancing student development and expanding educational programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 15, 2026

A 11410: Provides school aid for children with disabilities through the end of the school year in which they reach twenty-two years of age

This bill extends school funding for children with disabilities until the end of the school year in which they turn twenty-two, rather than stopping at age twenty-one. It directly affects students with disabilities who are currently eligible for aid and allows them to continue attending programs through the summer or the end of the academic year. The key mechanism involves amending the Education Law to update the age limit from twenty-one to twenty-two, ensuring these students receive support during their final year of eligibility. This change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill extends school funding and educational access for children with disabilities until age 22, strengthening support for vulnerable students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · New York · Senate May 15, 2026

S 10402: Establishes the crimes of grooming of a child in the first and second degree and predatory sexual misconduct toward a child enrolled in school in the first and second degree

Enacts the "New York state child anti-grooming act" which establishes the crimes of grooming of a child in the first and second degree and predatory sexual misconduct toward a child enrolled in school in the first and second degree; updates the codes of conduct in schools to include training on predatory misconduct and grooming; requires updates to mandatory reporter training; classifies grooming of a child in the first degree and predatory sexual misconduct towards a child in the first degree as a sex offense for the sex offender registry.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens student safety by criminalizing grooming and updating school conduct codes and mandatory reporter training.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 1, 2026

A 11170: Provides for the inclusion of a faculty or staff member on the board of trustees of community colleges

Provides for the inclusion of a faculty or staff member on the board of trustees of community colleges elected by and from among the faculty and staff of the college.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens higher education governance by ensuring faculty and staff have a voice on community college boards, enhancing institutional representation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 11, 2026

A 11333: Enacts the New York state prepaid college access and affordability act

Enacts the "New York state prepaid college access and affordability act" to establish the empire prepaid college program to provide families with affordable, guaranteed tuition plans for New York state public postsecondary institutions; establishes the empire prepaid college fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a prepaid college fund to provide affordable tuition plans, effectively increasing funding for public postsecondary education and expanding access.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a prepaid college fund to expand access and affordability for postsecondary education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 10291: Authorizes university faculty practice corporations for the practice of occupational therapy

Authorizes licensed occupational therapists who are members of the faculty of a college or university with an accredited occupational therapy program to create a university faculty practice corporation for occupational therapy students to receive clinical instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes faculty practice corporations to provide clinical instruction for occupational therapy students, directly enhancing educational access and student training programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes faculty practice corporations to provide clinical instruction for occupational therapy students, enhancing healthcare training and access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate May 15, 2026

S 10378: Authorizes fiscal reserve funds for institutions providing instruction to the deaf and blind

Authorizes fiscal reserve funds for institutions providing instruction to the deaf and blind beginning in the 2026-2027 school year; provides that an annual report shall be provided to the department by any institution that retains such funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes fiscal reserve funds for institutions serving the deaf and blind, directly increasing funding for essential public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes fiscal reserve funds for institutions serving deaf and blind students, directly expanding educational access and funding for specific populations.95% confidence

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passed · New York · Assembly May 20, 2026

K 1422: Mourning the death of Freddi Macek, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community

This bill is a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Freddi Macek, a retired teacher and labor union advocate from Rochester, New York. It formally acknowledges her contributions as an educator and union leader, noting her long career in the Rochester City School District and her subsequent work with labor organizations. The resolution expresses the legislative body's condolences and directs that a copy of the document be sent to her family.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors a retired teacher and union advocate, signaling legislative recognition and support for educators.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 15, 2026

A 11415: Provides that certain institutions of higher education shall meet certain standards that do not infringe upon academic freedom

Provides that certain institutions of higher education shall meet certain standards or adopt rules that do not infringe upon academic freedom; provides that academic freedom shall be defined by the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure with 1970 Interpretive Comments; establishes courses of action that may be taken int the event of alleged violations of academic freedom.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects academic freedom in higher education by establishing clear standards, which safeguards educational integrity and faculty rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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