Education

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 7096: Requires that health services paid for by a school district for a student attending outside the district be no greater than the district's cost

Requires that health and welfare services and facilities paid by a school district for a student attending school outside the district be no greater than the district's cost.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school district spending on health services for out-of-district students by capping costs, limiting expenditure on educational support services.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill caps school district spending on health services for out-of-district students at district's cost, restricting coverage scope and limiting benefits beyond standard district expenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student 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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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 570: Relates to providing transportation for children with a disability

Relates to providing transportation for children with a disability; removes the requirement that a child attends the school the district is providing transportation to for the purpose of receiving services or programs similar to special educational programs recommended for such child by the local committee on special education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves transportation barrier for disabled students, enhancing access to special education services per bill's intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2495: Relates to a state pre-paid tuition plan

New York's S 2495 establishes a state-run pre-paid tuition plan allowing residents to contribute tax-free funds to an account covering future college tuition at participating schools. Account owners (including parents or guardians) can pre-pay tuition at fixed rates for eligible institutions - such as SUNY, CUNY, or other 529-compliant colleges - ensuring the cost remains locked in regardless of future tuition increases. The plan requires a four-year waiting period before withdrawals for tuition expenses (not room/board), with funds managed by the state comptroller and subject to federal tax rules. It directly affects New York families planning for higher education costs, offering a way to avoid rising tuition rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTax-free contributions provide tax relief for education savings, aligning with support indicators for tax policy.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax-free pre-paid tuition plan locking in college costs, enhancing affordability and access to higher education for families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Higher Education

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