Education (Higher Education)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5859: Enacts the "assuring college campus and educational safety and support (ACCESS) act" relating to harassment of students and applicants at educational institutions

Enacts the "assuring college campus and educational safety and support (ACCESS) act" relating to harassment of students and applicants at educational institutions; describes the circumstances under which harassment at educational institutions is an unlawful discriminatory practice; describes the circumstances under which an educational institution is deemed to have permitted harassment; describes additional circumstances under which a college or university is deemed to have permitted harassment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes legal protections against harassment at educational institutions, enhancing student safety and access per its ACCESS Act provisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Dec 8, 2025

A 2354: Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program

Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program by restoring eligibility to graduate students; makes optional semesters, quarters or terms eligible for awards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance eligibility to graduate students and more academic terms, increasing access to higher education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1421: Requires SUNY and CUNY campuses to hire energy management, materials management, and sustainability education and engagement employees

Requires SUNY and CUNY campuses to hire energy management, materials management, and sustainability education and engagement employees at each SUNY and CUNY campus in numbers proportionate to campus size.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates hiring sustainability education staff at SUNY/CUNY, directly enhancing campus educational programs and curriculum focus within higher education.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates hiring for energy management and sustainability roles to advance campus energy efficiency and sustainability practices.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates sustainability-focused staff hiring at public universities to advance environmental management and education, directly strengthening institutional climate action efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6524: Requires the state university of New York and the city university of New York to adopt certain provisions related to student mental health

Requires the state university of New York and the city university of New York to adopt certain provisions related to student mental health such as administering student mental health surveys, establishing a mental health committee, administering mental health training to faculty and staff, and improving university policies regarding mental health.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires SUNY/CUNY to implement mental health surveys, training, and policy improvements, strengthening student support services in higher education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health surveys, committees, staff training, and policy improvements for student mental health services at public universities, directly strengthening mental health support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5824: Relates to free tuition for New York state residents serving as volunteer firefighters at certain colleges

This bill provides free tuition and fees at SUNY, CUNY, and New York community colleges for New York state residents who serve as active volunteer firefighters. To qualify, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, complete their degree within 3-5 years, and continue serving as volunteer firefighters throughout their studies. The program covers only tuition and fees for one undergraduate degree, requiring students to first apply for existing tuition assistance programs. Failure to meet requirements (like GPA or service hours) converts the tuition to a loan with interest. Students remain responsible for housing, books, and other non-tuition costs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides free tuition at public colleges for volunteer firefighters, expanding higher education access and reducing financial barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 13, 2025

A 8799: Relates to terms and conditions of employment for members of certain collective negotiating units; appropriates funds

Provides for the adjustment of stipends of certain incumbents in the state university of New York and designating moneys therefor; continues a doctoral program recruitment and retention enhancement fund; continues work-life services and pre-tax programs; continues a professional development committee; continues a comprehensive college graduate program recruitment and retention fund; continues a fee mitigation fund; continues a downstate location fund; continues a joint labor management advisory board; continues an accidental death benefit; makes an appropriation therefor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesContinues multiple state university funding streams including graduate recruitment, work-life services, and professional development, maintaining existing appropriations without cuts.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationContinues SUNY funding for doctoral programs, graduate recruitment, professional development, and fee mitigation, maintaining educational support for higher education institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 7367: Grants volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians academic credit at SUNY and CUNY

Grants volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians academic credit at state operated institutions of the state university of New York and the senior colleges of the city university of New York to the extent of three academic credits per year, and 6 credits in the aggregate; provides that no fee, tuition or other charge shall be assessed against a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical technician who qualifies for such credit; directs the board of trustees of the state university and the city university of New York to adopt necessary procedures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill grants free academic credit to volunteer firefighters/EMTs at SUNY/CUNY, expanding educational access without cost. Directly supports higher education access for a specific group.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7330: Relates to the documentation and preservation of Black history in New York state by the state university of New York

Establishes the Black history preservation commission to ensure the documentation and preservation of Black history in New York state within the state university of New York.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates SUNY commission to document Black history, enhancing curriculum diversity and educational access within higher education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · New York · Senate May 7, 2026

S 6399: Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program

Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program by restoring eligibility to graduate students; makes optional semesters, quarters or terms eligible for awards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance eligibility to graduate students and flexible terms, increasing access to higher education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

signed · New York · Assembly Aug 26, 2025

A 5448: Requires the appointment of a Title VI coordinator at every college and university in the state

Requires the appointment of a Title VI coordinator at every college and university in the state to ensure compliance with Title VI of the federal civil rights act of 1964; requires the division of human rights to develop training for students and employees; requires the Title VI coordinator to notify annually all students and employees of the institution's policies and procedures for reporting discrimination and harassment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates Title VI coordinators and anti-discrimination training at colleges to protect students/employees from discrimination, strengthening equitable educational access and compliance with civil rights laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education