Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 58: Permits persons 65 years of age to enroll in a limited number of state university and city university courses for credit without tuition

This bill allows New York residents aged 65 or older to enroll in up to nine credit hours per semester at state universities and the City University of New York (CUNY) without paying tuition. It modifies existing education law to permit these individuals to take courses for credit (not just auditing) on a space-available basis, subject to institutional availability. The policy applies specifically to residents who are 65 or older and does not require examinations, grading, or affect enrollment for other qualified students. The change updates prior provisions that only allowed free auditing of courses for those 60+ without credit.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for seniors by waiving tuition at state universities, directly aligning with 'enhances educational access' support indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6594: Relates to the investment of funds wagered on video lottery gaming for certain horse races; repealer

This bill redirects specific percentages of revenue from video lottery gaming at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga racetracks to three key areas: (1) 6.5%-7.5% of wagered funds to support New York schools (including those for students with disabilities), (2) 4% to fund racetrack capital improvements (like equine drug testing labs), and (3) 3% for general racing operations. It also allocates 8.5% to a breeding fund and modifies prior funding structures for Nassau/Suffolk video lottery facilities. The bill directly affects New York’s public education system, thoroughbred racing industry, and specific racetracks. It replaces outdated language in tax law to clarify how video lottery gaming revenue is distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects video lottery revenue to fund schools (6.5-7.5%), racetrack improvements (4%), and breeding (8.5%), strengthening public service funding allocations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates 6.5%-7.5% of video lottery revenue directly to New York schools, including support for students with disabilities, explicitly advancing educational funding.95% confidence

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passed · New York · Assembly Jan 12, 2026

A 1325: Requires a reading proficiency level assessment and dyslexia screening for certain incarcerated individuals

Requires all incarcerated individuals who do not have a high-school diploma or its equivalent to receive a reading proficiency level assessment and dyslexia screening upon intake by the department of corrections; requires for such individuals who perform below a certain proficiency level to be provided with intervention services that are evidence-based, effective and consistent with science-based research specifically tailored to addressing dyslexia.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides dyslexia-specific literacy interventions for incarcerated individuals to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides dyslexia screening and evidence-based intervention services for incarcerated individuals lacking diplomas, enhancing educational access and support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7876: Requires colleges and universities to provide students with written information on reporting bias related and hate crimes

Requires colleges and universities to provide students with written information on reporting bias related and hate crimes, requirements for reporting bias related and hate crimes, and protections available to those who report bias related and hate crimes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires colleges to provide bias/hate crime reporting protections, enhancing student safety and access in higher education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2424: Establishes the community college merit and mobility scholarship

Establishes the community college merit and mobility scholarship for the purpose of granting merit based scholarships to students who attend a New York state community college; provides for eligibility and awards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates merit-based scholarships for NY community college students, increasing access to higher education funding and supporting student financial aid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4656: Relates to mental health certificates

Provides that a mental health certificate shall be requested from each student at the same time health certificates are required; provides that an assessment and mental health history of any child may be requested by the local school authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the educational interests of such child; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires mental health assessments to promote educational interests, aligning with student well-being support in schools.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health certificates and assessments for students, promoting mental health integration in schools. Directly supports mental health services under healthcare topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Testing & Assessment Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3276: Relates to student financial aid programs

Relates to student financial aid programs; allows absence because of uniformed service, maternity/paternity, FMLA, or due to compensable injury to be creditable time.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures absences for military service, family leave, or injury count toward credit, protecting student academic progress in financial aid programs.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllows absence due to uniformed service (including veterans) to count toward student aid credits, supporting veterans' educational access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Veteran Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5180: Requires school districts to refer a child with a disability for evaluation when application for registration of the child with the district is first made

Requires school districts to refer a newly-registering child with a disability for evaluation within forty-eight hours of the time of the first contact between the school district and the person or entity registering the student with the school district, provided a request for referral has been made.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates timely disability evaluations for new students, ensuring prompt access to support services under IDEA, expanding educational access for disabled children.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6644: Relates to degree-granting programs offered by SUNY's office of higher education in prison

Creates within SUNY an office of higher education in prison to coordinate access to higher education for individuals during and after incarceration; directs such office to create a plan by 1/1/2029 to establish a degree-granting program in every viable correctional facility in the state; directs such office to enroll at least 2,000 students in degree-granting programs as soon as practicable; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates prison higher education programs to reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of rehabilitation and post-incarceration opportunity.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates SUNY office to expand higher education access for incarcerated individuals, mandates degree programs in correctional facilities, and targets 2,000+ enrollments, directly advancing educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 26, 2026

A 1080: Establishes a mandatory statewide, classroom-based water safety education program

Establishes a mandatory statewide, classroom-based water safety education program; provides that the commissioner of education shall work with New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance certified educators to develop and promulgate a statewide, age-appropriate, classroom-based water safety education guidance document; provides that within twenty-four months of the effective date of the bill, the department of education shall initiate statewide implementation of water safety education; provides that instruction shall be classroom-based and waterless and shall not require student access to aquatic facilities, swimming instruction, or in-water assessment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables K-12 water safety curriculum, enhancing student programs through technical assistance for development. Directly supports educational curriculum expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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