Education (School Safety)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4388: Prohibits the use of remote or virtual learning as a form of punishment or disciplinary action

Prohibits the use of remote or virtual learning as a form of punishment or disciplinary action; provides exceptions for failure to comply with COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits remote learning as disciplinary punishment, protecting student access to in-person education and preventing disruption of learning environments.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5540: Requires all schools have a calming space for students

This bill requires all public school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools in the state to create dedicated calming spaces for students. These spaces must be available for activities such as praying, meditating, or calming themselves, as specified in the bill text. Schools must develop policies and procedures to implement these spaces by the effective date (July 1, 2025). The law applies broadly to all covered educational institutions statewide, with implementation authorized to occur before the effective date. It does not mandate specific design or funding but requires policy development for the designated use.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates calming spaces to support student well-being, enhancing school environment and student program accessibility per bill requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 68: Relates to the enactment of the student journalism education act

Enacts the student journalist education act to protect student speech at educational institutions unless such speech is libelous, an invasion of privacy, or incites students to commit an unlawful act, violate school policies, or to materially and substantially disrupt the orderly operation of the school.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student journalist free speech in schools, advancing academic freedom and educational access per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1002: Relates to student class size in public schools

Relates to student class size in public schools in school districts located outside of a city having a population of one million or more inhabitants; requires such districts to develop a plan to reduce actual class sizes beginning September two thousand twenty-five.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates reduced class sizes in public schools, directly improving educational quality and student learning environment per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Teachers

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 902: Relates to site mapping for emergency response data and school safety plans

This bill requires New York school districts to create standardized digital site maps for emergency response, directly affecting schools and law enforcement. The maps must include detailed floor plans, school grounds, surrounding roads, and specific labels (like exits, hazardous materials, and emergency equipment), formatted to work with existing police software without requiring new purchases. It also allocates state funding to reimburse schools for creating these maps, ensuring compatibility with law enforcement systems and annual accuracy verification through walkthroughs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for school emergency mapping reimbursement, directly funding a public safety program within state budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funding for school safety mapping, enhancing emergency response infrastructure in K-12 schools, directly supporting educational safety measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7504: Includes policies and procedures for responding to students having mental health crises in school safety plans

Includes policies and procedures for responding to students having mental health crises in a manner that does not include contacting law enforcement unless implied or direct threats of violence or other criminal activity is involved in school safety plans.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces law enforcement involvement in non-violent mental health crises, aligning with criminal justice reform by minimizing unnecessary criminalization and promoting alternative responses.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes school protocols for mental health crises without law enforcement, enhancing student safety and support within educational environment90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school safety plans to address mental health crises via healthcare services, avoiding law enforcement - directly supports mental health access in schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2036: Relates to making expenditures for school safety and security eligible for building aid

S 2036 allows New York school districts to receive state building aid for specific school safety equipment, including stationary metal detectors, security cameras, and safety devices for room dividers or doors. The bill requires districts to include these projects in their approved school safety plans and specifies that aid equals 10% extra on top of the standard building aid ratio, calculated based on actual approved spending. It explicitly excludes portable metal detectors and ensures the aid doesn’t replace existing safety funding or contractual obligations. This change directly affects school districts seeking state financial support for permanent safety infrastructure improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates 10% extra state building aid for school safety equipment, increasing public service funding through targeted budget expenditure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides 10% extra building aid for school safety infrastructure (metal detectors, cameras), directly funding K-12 safety equipment to enhance school environments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 8, 2025

S 449: Requires the board of education and the trustees or sole trustee of every school district to establish policies and procedures regarding the treatment of transgender or gender non-conforming students

Requires the board of education and the trustees or sole trustee of every school district to establish policies and procedures regarding the treatment of transgender or gender non-conforming students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusive policies for transgender students, enhancing educational access and safety per K-12 education topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Student Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1671: Requires instruction in anti-gun violence in all schools

This bill requires all public schools to include age-appropriate anti-gun violence education as part of regular classroom instruction. It directly affects every public school in the state, mandating that teachers integrate this topic into their curriculum. The education department will develop or approve specific curricula and rules, allowing schools to adapt content locally while ensuring all materials meet state standards. Schools must also provide necessary facilities, time, and learning resources to implement this instruction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates anti-gun violence education in schools to prevent youth violence, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing future crime through prevention.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new curriculum requirement for anti-gun violence education, enhancing student program content in K-12 schools per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Curriculum School Safety

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