S 6960 creates a new state commission to coordinate public safety, emergency response, and mental health efforts. The commission, composed of agency heads (including police, emergency services, education, health, and mental health officials), must meet quarterly to work with three divisions focused on school safety, emergency preparedness, and mental health services. Key provisions require the commission to provide schools with safety resources and mental health support, improve community disaster response, reduce mental health stigma, and hold public hearings twice yearly. The commission must report annually to the governor and legislature. This bill establishes new coordination structures for state agencies but does not directly change laws affecting residents.
Authorizes an additional $125 million for Phase 3 of the Rochester school facilities modernization program; extends phase 3 of the Rochester school facilities modernization program to 2033.
Establishes the office of the youth public advocate in the executive office of the mayor; provides that the office will operate and maintain youth-related services and programs, including but not limited to, after school programs, jobs, literacy programs and youth internships, and will develop and implement policies to increase summer employment, high school admission, retention and graduation rates.
Requires a school bus attendant or school bus monitor on all school buses transporting students in kindergarten through sixth grade to or from school or to or from any school related activity.
Authorizes students attending the Syracuse Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics high school, who participated in a high school athletic competition for a school district other than the Syracuse city school district in 7th and/or 8th grade, to be eligible for senior high school athletic competitions.
Establishes a clinical preceptorship personal income tax credit for certain health care professionals who provide preceptor instruction to students studying to be a health care professional.
S 5942 establishes a 5-year pilot program to support electric school bus infrastructure. It awards competitive grants to two school districts per economic development region annually, covering costs for planning and building clean energy micro-grids (charging infrastructure) needed for electric buses. The state appropriates $20 million from general funds and NYERDA contributes $20 million from clean energy ratepayer funds to cover these expenses. The program expires April 1, 2030, and aims to reduce long-term operating costs while advancing state clean energy goals.
Requires the commissioner of education to establish standards, rules or regulations requiring that all chaperones or volunteers of school trips which involve taking students out of the state or out of the country be trained in first aid and to recognize certain medical emergencies.
Establishes a statewide program to provide free SUNY, CUNY, and community college tuition to active volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical services providers, and volunteer auxiliary police officers.
This bill requires all private colleges and universities in the state to provide free menstrual products in commonly used restrooms for students. It directly affects students at private higher education institutions by ensuring access to these products at no cost. The key provision mandates that institutions supply products (like pads or tampons) in restrooms without charging students, as specified in the new Public Health Law section 267-c. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
