Education

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3854: Allows MTA to establish discount fares for full-time undergraduate students

Establishes a discount fare rate of no less than 25% for full-time undergraduate students attending an accredited college who utilize the New York city transit system, including railroad, subway and/or omnibus services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides 25% transit discount for college students, directly enhancing access to higher education through reduced transportation costs.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes 25% student discount for NYC transit use, directly increasing accessibility and ridership for public transportation services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Transportation Public Transit Rail

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4348: Requires the educational and vocational credits earned by incarcerated individuals are transferable upon release

Requires that curricula and educational programs provide incarcerated individuals the opportunity to earn educational or vocational credits which shall be transferable to an educational institution upon the release of the incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables post-release educational continuity, reducing recidivism through rehabilitation - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for incarcerated individuals by mandating transferable credits, directly aligning with 'enhancing student programs' and 'educational access' indicators.85% confidence

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passed · New York · Assembly May 29, 2026

A 5352: Directs the department of social services to establish an outdoor, nature-based child care pilot project

Directs the department of social services to establish an outdoor, nature-based child care pilot project to explore establishing licensing guidelines for the operation of outdoor, nature-based child care programs in an outdoor space and that employ a nature-based early learning curriculum to teach enrolled children.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes nature-based early learning program with curriculum, enhancing educational access and methods for preschool/school-age children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Early Childhood

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 1431: Grants a waiver to Adirondack Helping Hands for the 2016--2017 school year

Grants a waiver in the amount of $52,000 to Adirondack Helping Hands for services rendered during the 2016--2017 school year; provides such waiver shall be allocated to costs associated with special class in an integrated setting spending for the 2016--2017 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $52,000 waiver for special education services in integrated settings, directly funding K-12 student support programs.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3296: Relates to establishing the Gold Award and Eagle Scout achievement scholarship

Relates to establishing the Gold Award and Eagle Scout achievement scholarship; authorizes a scholarship of $500 per year for high school graduates attending a New York state public post-secondary institution who have achieved a Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of the United States of America or an Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $500 annual scholarship for NY students with Gold Award/Eagle Scout achievements attending public colleges, enhancing higher education access and opportunity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1372: Enacts the "public university emergency contraception education act"

Enacts the "public university emergency contraception education act" requiring the commissioner of public health to establish a statewide emergency contraceptive college education and awareness program to promote public awareness in colleges and universities and to disseminate informational materials related to emergency contraception.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates emergency contraception education program in public universities, expanding educational access to health information for students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3107: Relates to a school ventilation and energy efficiency assessment, repair and verification program

Establishes a school ventilation and energy efficiency assessment, repair and verification program to require each school to: obtain an HVAC Assessment Report performed by qualified testing personnel documenting the functionality of the existing system or lack thereof, and obtain a report from a mechanical engineer identifying any upgrades, replacements or other measures recommended to improve the functionality, health and safety and/or energy efficiency of the HVAC system; adjust, and, if necessary, repair existing building HVAC systems, and install or replace HVAC systems, if necessary, to ensure proper and efficient operation, as well as compliance with health and safety standards; obtain an HVAC Verification Report performed by qualified testing personnel documenting any upgrades, replacements, installations or any other work performed on the HVAC system functions as designed and/or in compliance with health and safety standards; install CO2 sensors in classrooms, assembly areas, kitchen or cafeteria areas or building office spaces to provide ongoing verification that proper ventilation is maintained during operation; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires HVAC assessments/upgrades for school health/safety and energy efficiency, directly improving school infrastructure per support indicators.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates school HVAC system upgrades specifically to improve 'energy efficiency,' directly advancing energy efficiency standards in public infrastructure.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment Energy Efficiency

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5697: Relates to establishing the New York state diplomas to home ownership program; appropriation

Establishes the New York state diplomas to homeownership assistance program; provides awards of up to fifteen thousand dollars to eligible applicants for repayment on student loans; makes an appropriation therefor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMakes specific appropriation for student loan repayment program, directly funding a public service initiative per budget allocation language.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides student loan repayment aid (up to $15k), reducing financial barriers for graduates and supporting higher education access.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds up to $15k student loan repayment to aid homeownership, directly supporting housing access through financial assistance for eligible applicants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5728: Places a permanent moratorium on unfunded mandates

This bill places a permanent ban on state laws that require local governments (such as counties, cities, school districts, and towns) to implement new programs or services without providing funding, if the cost exceeds $10,000 annually for a single local government or $1 million statewide. It defines "unfunded mandates" to include new requirements that raise costs for local governments beyond these thresholds, regardless of whether the mandate is for new services, higher service levels, or property tax exemptions. The ban includes exceptions for court orders, federal mandates, or situations involving immediate public safety threats. The law takes effect immediately for new legislation, though it does not affect existing mandates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents unfunded mandates straining local budgets, promoting fiscal responsibility by requiring state funding for new requirements exceeding thresholds.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents unfunded mandates on school districts (as local governments), protecting their budgets from unexpected costs exceeding thresholds, thus supporting educational funding stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8372: Establishes the New York state veteran student loan forgiveness program

This bill establishes the New York state veteran student loan forgiveness program, designed to help eligible New York resident veterans reduce their student loan debt. The program offers competitive awards of up to $10,000 annually for a maximum of five years, not exceeding $50,000 total or the applicant's outstanding debt. To qualify, veterans must have graduated from an approved New York state college, be employed full-time in New York, agree to reside in the state for five years, and not have received federal loan forgiveness. Priority for awards will be given to prior recipients, and then to economically disadvantaged applicants or those with a service-connected disability of 40% or higher.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides student loan forgiveness for NY veterans who graduated from state colleges, reducing financial barriers to higher education access and supporting veterans' educational attainment.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes veteran loan forgiveness program, providing financial relief through up to $50k debt reduction - directly advances veterans' benefits and financial support95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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