Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3196: Establishes mandatory training for every high school guidance counselor relating to assisting students with autism spectrum disorder

Establishes mandatory training for every high school guidance counselor relating to assisting students with autism spectrum disorder; requires high school guidance counselors to receive training at least once a year on the special needs of students with autism spectrum disorder and how to assist such students in the transition from high school to higher education or employment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual training for counselors to support autistic students' transitions, enhancing educational support services for special needs students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4495: Authorizes a distinctive "guardians for schools" license plate; and establishes the guardians for schools fund

This bill creates a special "guardians for schools" license plate for New York residents. Owners pay a $25 annual fee on top of standard registration, with all fees deposited into the "guardians for schools fund." The fund must be used exclusively for school security improvements, including school resource officers, security training, mental health services, metal detectors, and security cameras. Funds cannot be diverted to the general state budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated fund via $25 license plate fee for school security improvements, explicitly funding essential public safety programs without general budget diversion.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated fund for school security improvements (resource officers, mental health, etc.), directly funding K-12 safety infrastructure through new license plate fees.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly allocates funds to school mental health services via the 'guardians for schools fund', directly advancing healthcare support as per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Safety

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2237: Enacts the "fair college admissions act"

Enacts the "fair college admissions act"; prohibits legacy admissions policies at colleges and universities in New York; declares such policies and practices to be discriminatory and inequitable.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits legacy admissions in NY colleges, aiming to eliminate discriminatory practices and expand equitable access to higher education - directly advancing educational access within the topic scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3429: Prohibits school districts from authorizing a currently enrolled public school student from being home schooled in certain circumstances

Prohibits school districts from authorizing a currently enrolled public school student to be home schooled when the superintendent of the school district is notified of a pending child abuse or neglect investigation or if either custodial parent or a person instructing the child has been convicted of domestic violence, child abuse, or neglect.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts homeschooling access under abuse/neglect concerns, limiting educational choice for affected students per bill's prohibition.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4589: Increases the total awards of the Senator Patricia K. McGee nursing faculty scholarship program

Increases the total awards of the Senator Patricia K. McGee nursing faculty scholarship program by covering the total cost of a recipient's academic program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases funding for nursing faculty scholarship program, directly advancing higher education support through expanded financial aid for educators.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing education to expand healthcare workforce, directly strengthening healthcare services through workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4549: Establishes the SUNY downstate medical support fund

Establishes the SUNY downstate medical support fund to provide financial support for infrastructural upgrades and expansion; facilitates research and development grants in medical and health-related fields; offers scholarships and financial aid; supports community health initiatives and outreach programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides scholarships, infrastructure funding, and R&D grants for SUNY medical programs, directly advancing higher education funding and access through financial support mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a fund for medical infrastructure, research grants, scholarships, and community health initiatives - directly advancing healthcare funding and services per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3435: Relates to including at least one person who is familiar with the needs of students with disabilities in the development of school safety plans

Relates to including at least one person who is familiar with the needs of students with disabilities in the development of school safety plans; provides that building-level response plans shall include a list including each student with a disability enrolled at the site together with information from the student's individualized education program (IEP) that is relevant to ensuring the student's safety and the role of the staff member responsible for assisting the student in an emergency.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of disability needs in school safety plans, protecting students with disabilities through IEP integration and staff roles, aligning with educational safety protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education

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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

Track

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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