Education

passed · New York · Assembly Apr 28, 2026

K 1220: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 4-10, 2026, as Banned Books Week in the State of New York

This bill asks the Governor of New York to officially recognize October 4-10, 2026, as Banned Books Week. The resolution does not change any laws or require government agencies to take specific actions. Instead, it serves as a formal statement supporting the freedom to read and highlighting the importance of diverse literature. A copy of the resolution will be sent to Governor Kathy Hochul for her signature and proclamation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes freedom to read and diverse literature, protecting educational access and academic freedom in K-12 schools.85% confidence

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passed · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 11345: Establishes a task force to study and make recommendations on chronic absenteeism at public schools in the state of New York

Establishes a task force to study and make recommendations on chronic absenteeism at public schools in the state of New York; establishes reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a task force to address chronic absenteeism, aiming to improve student attendance and educational access.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate May 15, 2026

S 10502: Establishes access to postsecondary educational programming and creating an educational transfer process for incarcerated individuals

Expands access to higher education in correctional facilities by requiring the department of corrections and community supervision to provide meaningful access to postsecondary educational programming and to establish a transparent process for incarcerated individuals to request transfers to facilities where such programs are available.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands educational access and transfer processes for incarcerated individuals, directly promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands access to postsecondary education for incarcerated individuals and mandates a transfer process to facilitate these programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 10277: Authorizes high schools to include opioid overdose prevention and non-intravenous opioid antagonist administration as part of required health education courses

Authorizes high schools to include opioid overdose prevention and non-intravenous opioid antagonist administration as optional part of required health education courses; authorizes certain students to administer non-intravenous opioid antagonists.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances student safety programs within health education, strengthening school offerings and protecting student well-being.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates opioid overdose prevention training and authorizes student administration of antagonists, directly improving public health safety and access to critical medical interventions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

A 10929: Prohibits the use of timeout boxes, closets or other secluded physical enclosures in schools in the state

This bill prohibits schools in the state from using timeout boxes, closets, or any secluded physical enclosures to isolate children. It defines these restricted areas as any room or structure where a child is separated from others, such as wooden or padded rooms. The law applies to a wide range of educational settings, including public schools, charter schools, private schools for students with disabilities, and various preschool programs. By banning these isolation practices, the legislation aims to prevent the use of secluded spaces for disciplinary purposes in educational environments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects student safety by banning isolation practices, enhancing educational access and well-being.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 10346: Establishes a task force to study and make recommendations on chronic absenteeism at public schools in the state of New York

Establishes a task force to study and make recommendations on chronic absenteeism at public schools in the state of New York; establishes reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a task force to study chronic absenteeism, aiming to improve student attendance and educational access in public schools.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 10554: Protects the independence of libraries and shields librarians from civil and criminal liability for certain actions

This bill, known as the "Protecting Libraries' Independence Act," aims to safeguard the autonomy of public libraries and protect their staff from legal consequences. It prohibits libraries from banning or removing books, media, or digital content solely because officials disagree with the material's political views or moral messages. Additionally, the law grants librarians immunity from civil and criminal lawsuits if they act in good faith to uphold these protections. The legislation defines "library material" broadly to include various formats and applies to any public library receiving state or local funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects academic freedom and library autonomy, safeguarding access to diverse educational materials and shielding educators from liability.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects digital content access and shields librarians, preventing censorship of books and media, thereby supporting digital rights and technology access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 24, 2026

A 11087: Requires instruction on nutrition in schools

This bill, known as the Nutrition Education Act, mandates that public schools in grades K-12 teach students about nutrition, physical activity, and preventive health. The law requires instruction to cover topics such as how diet affects the body, the risks associated with ultra-processed foods, and skills like reading food labels and planning meals. To ensure accuracy, the curriculum must be based on scientific evidence from peer-reviewed research and expert consensus. The Department of Health is authorized to create specific definitions for terms like "ultra-processed foods" to guide how these lessons are taught. The changes will take effect on July 1st of the year following the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates nutrition education in K-12 schools, enhancing student health literacy and curriculum quality.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates nutrition education in schools to improve preventive health and diet awareness, strengthening public health outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 14, 2026

A 10973: Authorizes the Goshen central school district to establish an insurance reserve fund

This bill authorizes the Goshen Central School District to create an insurance reserve fund to help cover specific insurance claims and legal judgments. The legislation amends state law to allow this district, along with several other named school districts, to set aside money for losses related to risks where insurance is permitted under current regulations. It explicitly prevents the use of these funds for certain excluded risks and for any losses already covered by other existing reserve funds. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage, providing a direct financial tool for the district to manage potential insurance liabilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by allowing school districts to establish insurance reserve funds, ensuring financial stability and protecting against unexpected losses.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes a school district to establish an insurance reserve fund to protect against financial losses, thereby safeguarding district resources for education.75% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 24, 2026

A 11091: Eliminates fees for receiving a copy of a high school equivalency diploma

This bill removes all costs for individuals to receive copies of their high school equivalency diploma or official transcript. By amending the Education Law, it ensures that no fees can be charged for either taking the General Education Development exam or obtaining proof of passing it. The change directly benefits students and job seekers who need these documents without creating a financial barrier. The legislation will become effective 30 days after it is officially signed into law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes financial barriers for high school equivalency diplomas, expanding educational access and benefiting students and job seekers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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