Education (Student Health)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4081: Relates to instruction in food, agriculture and nutrition in elementary and high school

Relates to instruction in food, agriculture and nutrition in elementary and high school; contents may be varied to meet the needs of particular school districts; need not be uniform throughout the state; school districts shall utilize either the curriculum for health education instruction regarding food, agriculture and nutrition prescribed by the commissioner or a course approved by the commissioner in accordance with criteria established by the commissioner.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of food/agriculture/nutrition curriculum in schools, advancing educational content through required instruction without funding specifics.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1312: Requires licensed or certified school social workers in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high school

Requires at least one full-time licensed or certified social worker to be employed in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high school and senior high school throughout the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates licensed social workers in all K-12 schools, enhancing student support services and mental health resources per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school social workers for student mental health services, directly advancing mental health support in schools per healthcare topic definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety Student Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6328: Relates to the allocation of prekindergarten funding to prioritize students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and multilingual learners

This bill (S 6328) changes how New York school districts allocate prekindergarten funding starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It requires districts to prioritize funding for full-day prekindergarten programs for four-year-olds who qualify for free/reduced-price lunch or are multilingual learners, allocating $17,500 per eligible student annually (adjusted for inflation). Districts cannot exceed their 2024-2025 funding levels unless new money is appropriated. The policy directly affects school districts and ensures resources target high-need students in prekindergarten programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs existing pre-K funding allocation to prioritize eligible students, increasing targeted public education spending within current budget constraints without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrioritizes preK funding for underserved students (free/reduced lunch, multilingual learners), increasing access to early education through targeted allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Funding Student Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5218: Authorizes the commissioner of education to implement a purple star schools program

Authorizes the commissioner of education to implement a purple star schools program to recognize schools and school districts which demonstrate a commitment to assisting military-connected students and their families.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRecognizes schools supporting military-connected students, enhancing educational access and support programs for this group.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 1, 2026

A 1834: Relates to requiring public schools to offer plant-based food options in food service

This bill requires New York public schools to provide plant-based food options upon request by a student or their parent/guardian. Schools must offer these meat-free alternatives (defined as USDA-recognized meat substitutes) at no extra cost compared to standard meals, and include this option in all food service descriptions. The policy applies to every meal or snack the student participates in, while allowing students to choose non-plant-based options if they prefer. It does not mandate schools to offer plant-based meals to all students, only to those who specifically request them.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires plant-based meal options in public schools at no extra cost, enhancing dietary access and student participation in school meals, aligning with educational access policies.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 27, 2025

S 6923: Provides for absence from school for the mental or behavioral health of the minor

This bill amends New York's education law to explicitly permit students to miss school for mental or behavioral health reasons, directly affecting students, parents, and school districts. It requires the state education commissioner to establish rules governing such absences, similar to existing rules for religious observances. Schools must follow these rules when approving absences related to a minor's mental or behavioral health, rather than relying on general absence policies. The change does not create new mental health services but formalizes a pathway for students to miss school without penalty for these health needs. The bill focuses on attendance policy, not treatment access or school funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows mental health absences, reducing barriers to education access by mandating school policies that support student well-being without penalizing attendance.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExplicitly permits school absences for mental health, creating formal rules to support student access to care without penalty, aligning with mental health service support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Health Mental Health

Track

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

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2077: Authorizes the delivery of telehealth services in schools by licensed providers

This bill allows licensed telehealth providers to deliver health, dental, and mental health services to students within school settings. It requires providers to meet specific licensing standards, obtain parental consent, and use secure technology to protect student privacy. Schools will not bear costs for these services - funding comes from federal, state, or other existing sources - and telehealth must supplement, not replace, existing school health staff like nurses and counselors. The state must create regulations covering provider requirements, billing, technology standards, and compliance with privacy laws.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes school-based telehealth services to improve student health access without replacing staff, supplementing existing school health programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes telehealth for student health/dental/mental services, expands access without replacing staff, uses existing funding to supplement care - directly improves healthcare access and supports mental health services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires secure technology for student privacy, directly protecting data privacy per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

Track