Education

passed · New York · Senate Jan 21, 2026

J 1368: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2-6, 2026, as School Breakfast Week in the State of New York

This resolution memorializes Governor Hochul to proclaim March 2-6, 2026, as School Breakfast Week in New York State. It aims to raise public awareness about the importance of school breakfast programs, which serve over 152 million meals annually to support student nutrition and academic success. The resolution highlights that 19% of New York children face food insecurity and emphasizes how breakfast programs improve learning outcomes, with over 1,200 schools participating in New York's Breakfast After the Bell initiative. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new policy but encourages continued support for existing school breakfast access.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes school breakfast programs to address food insecurity (19% of NY children) and directly links them to improved academic outcomes and learning success, advancing student nutrition as an educational support.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate May 6, 2026

S 8842: Relates to due process rights for non-public school students with special needs

This bill ensures students with disabilities attending non-public schools in New York have the same due process rights and access to special education services as students in public schools. It requires school districts to provide these services upon written request from parents or guardians by specific deadlines, with exceptions for students identified with disabilities after certain dates. School districts must develop a personalized education plan for each student and allow parents to challenge decisions through due process procedures if they disagree with service recommendations or evaluations. The bill applies to all non-public school students with disabilities in New York and mandates equitable service provision compared to public school students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures equal due process and special education access for non-public school students with disabilities, expanding educational access and protecting rights per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 8959: Relates to requirements for a course of instruction relating to the Irish potato famine

S 8959 mandates that all New York public and private elementary and high schools include a dedicated unit studying the Irish potato famine (1845-1850) as part of their required civic education curriculum. This bill amends education law to specifically require schools to teach about the "mass starvation in Ireland from 1845 to 1850" alongside other topics like slavery, the Holocaust, and genocide. It directly affects all K-12 students in New York schools over age eight, requiring schools to integrate this historical study into existing courses on citizenship and human rights. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, following committee referral.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of Irish potato famine curriculum unit, expanding required civic education content per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 9537: Enacts the "freedom to read act"

Requires each board of education to adopt a written policy for reconsideration of school library materials and make such policy available on its website; requires such policies to include provisions for the creation of a reconsideration committee to review complaints regarding school library materials; requires the commissioner of education to develop one or more model policies for school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates policies to protect library materials from removal due to complaints, promoting educational access and academic freedom.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 15, 2026

A 10040: Relates to access to statewide teacher support and retention programs

Provides for automatic eligibility to teacher support and retention programs for teachers employed by certain schools receiving funding for the provision of special education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides automatic eligibility for teacher support/retention programs, directly advancing educator support and retention in special education-funded schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 8853: Relates to vaccines and immunizations of children

Requires the administration of certain vaccines for children in accordance with regulations issued by the commissioner, utilizing generally accepted medical standards and based on recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or other similar nationally or internationally recognized scientific organizations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school-required vaccines for K-12 attendance, ensuring student health and preventing disruptions to educational access as standard school policy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates childhood vaccines per medical guidelines, advancing public health prevention standards and aligning with major medical organizations' recommendations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Children's Health Public Health

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signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9479: Relates to the mechanical insulation energy savings program

This bill establishes a program to help school districts and eligible public buildings (like housing or hospitals) with structures over 20,000 square feet reduce energy costs through mechanical insulation upgrades. It requires free, qualified energy audits to identify needed insulation work and provides competitive grants covering 50% to 75% of approved insulation costs for HVAC systems, piping, and equipment. Grants are issued on a first-come basis after an approved audit, with the program to be implemented within one year of enactment. The law defines specific requirements for qualified contractors and insulation standards to ensure energy savings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state grants covering 50-75% of insulation costs for public buildings, increasing government spending on infrastructure energy efficiency programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides grants for school district energy efficiency upgrades, reducing operational costs and supporting school infrastructure, a key aspect of education funding and facilities.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides grants for insulation upgrades to reduce energy costs in public buildings, directly advancing energy efficiency through funding and mandatory audits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 8845: Relates to prior year state aid adjustments

Requires any state aid owed to a school district from a prior year adjustment be paid as part of the first state aid payment of the following school year following the notification of such payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires timely payment of prior-year state aid adjustments, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget execution for school districts.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures timely payment of prior-year state aid to school districts, supporting stable school funding mechanisms without delays.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 14, 2026

A 9545: Adjusts the regional labor force cost index for the Hudson Valley region

This bill adjusts the regional labor force cost index used to calculate school funding for the Hudson Valley region. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the Hudson Valley index increases from 1.314 to 1.425 (up from the previous 1.314 for 2025-2026), while other regions' indices remain unchanged. This change directly affects how state education funding is distributed to school districts in the Hudson Valley, increasing their base funding allocation. The adjustment applies to all subsequent school years after 2026-2027, aligning with the state's formula for regional cost differences.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases Hudson Valley school funding allocation by adjusting regional index, directly boosting state education budget distribution for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases Hudson Valley school funding index from 1.314 to 1.425, directly raising base funding allocations for school districts in the region.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations School Funding

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8663: Relates to establishing a transfer student appeal process

Establishes a transfer student appeal process to provide students with an option to pursue a second opinion regarding the status of their transfer credits from out-of-state schools, out-of-country schools, or non-public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes appeal process for transfer credit disputes, improving student access to higher education by ensuring fair credit recognition across institutions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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