Education (School Funding)

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.

This bill updates New York State's school funding formulas for high-tax districts. It establishes new regional cost indices (like 1.314 for Hudson Valley) based on non-education labor market wages to adjust foundation aid calculations. For Tier 1 districts (those with high property taxes), it sets aid at the higher of either $450 per student multiplied by the state ratio or $100,000, ensuring no district receives less than prior entitlements. The changes apply immediately to school funding starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

This bill (S 1117) proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the state to provide free public education for all students from pre-kindergarten through undergraduate degree programs. It would amend the state constitution to mandate that the legislature fund and maintain a system of free quality education covering all public K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions offering bachelor's degrees or certifications. The amendment must be approved by voters in a future election after a 3-month public review period, as outlined in the bill's text. Currently, the bill is under review by the Judiciary Committee following an attorney general's opinion.