Education

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2025

S 4559: Requires the appointment of a Title VI coordinator at every college and university in the state

Requires the appointment of a Title VI coordinator at every college and university in the state to ensure compliance with Title VI of the federal civil rights act of 1964; requires the division of human rights to develop training for students and employees; requires the Title VI coordinator to notify annually all students and employees of the institution's policies and procedures for reporting discrimination and harassment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires Title VI coordinators to ensure anti-discrimination compliance in higher ed, protecting students/employees and advancing equitable educational access per Title VI civil rights protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 6221: Relates to building aid for incremental zero-emission school bus infrastructure costs

Bill S 6221 establishes additional state building aid for school districts to help cover specific infrastructure costs associated with transitioning to zero-emission school buses. This aid applies to "incremental zero-emission school bus storage costs," such as facility modifications for wider doors, specialized lifts, and charge management systems. It also covers "incremental customer-owned make-ready costs" for infrastructure needed to install electric vehicle chargers. This financial support is available for approved expenditures through the 2034-2035 school year, provided they are not reimbursed by other state, federal, or electric utility funding sources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides state funding for school district infrastructure costs related to zero-emission buses, increasing government spending on public service infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides state building aid for school district infrastructure costs related to zero-emission school buses, directly funding educational transportation infrastructure improvements.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill funds infrastructure for zero-emission school buses and EV chargers, directly advancing clean energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds infrastructure for zero-emission school buses, directly reducing emissions and promoting clean transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds infrastructure for zero-emission school buses, promoting sustainable transportation through state building aid for facility modifications and EV charger infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Public Transit

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2204: Requires the commissioner of education to create a competition among SUNY and CUNY schools with prizes going to the schools that produce the most cost-efficient method of reducing CO2 emissions

Relates to requiring the commissioner of education to create a competition among SUNY and CUNY schools with prizes going to the schools that produce the most cost-efficient method of reducing CO2 emissions; the top three schools shall receive a cash prize which shall be used to improve environmental programs at the university.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds environmental programs at SUNY/CUNY via competition prizes, advancing higher education initiatives and improving educational infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill incentivizes cost-efficient CO2 reduction methods through university competitions, directly advancing clean energy innovation and emissions reduction goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds competitions for cost-efficient CO2 emission reduction methods, directly advancing climate change mitigation through education institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 494: Relates to driver education

This bill expands approved driver education providers in New York to include licensed driving schools (after commissioner approval), alongside high schools and colleges. It requires classroom instruction to be taught by instructors approved by both the state education department and motor vehicle commissioner. School districts may now contract with licensed driving schools for behind-the-wheel training, and students in these courses may operate vehicles under supervision without a license during instruction. The bill specifically allows two religious schools to offer driver education in certain locations during non-school hours, but its primary focus is adding driving schools to the approved provider list.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands driver education access via licensed schools, enabling more student options under approved curriculum.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands driver education with state-approved instructors, enhancing road safety standards through structured training programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 5988: Enables public libraries to access employment preparation education (EPE) funds to provide adult literacy education

Enables public libraries to access employment preparation education (EPE) funds to provide adult literacy education; sets aside one million dollars to be awarded through a competitive grant process; provides that half of such appropriation shall be set aside for libraries serving a population of one million or more.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1M in state funds via grants for library literacy programs, increasing public service funding under budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1M for adult literacy education through public libraries, directly funding educational access for adults.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Aug 5, 2026

A 149: Relates to epinephrine devices in schools

This bill changes the law to require all public and non-public schools in New York State to keep epinephrine devices on-site in every instructional facility. Previously, schools were only permitted to have these emergency medications, but this amendment makes their presence mandatory for any student or staff member experiencing anaphylactic symptoms. The state commissioner of education, working with the commissioner of health, will determine the specific types and quantities of devices needed to ensure ready access during emergencies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires epinephrine devices and training in schools for student safety, directly supporting K-12 health policies within educational environment.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6635: Relates to imposing an additional two percent sales tax on certain retail sales

Imposes an additional two percent sales tax on retail sales of motor vehicles over $70,000, excluding commercial vehicles and electric vehicles, jewelry over $5,000 and articles of clothing, footwear, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets or watches sold for over $1,000; provides that such tax shall be distributed equally to the credit of the state university of New York and the city university of New York.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new tax on luxury items to fund public universities (SUNY/CUNY), directly advancing public education funding through targeted taxation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill imposes sales tax on luxury items to fund SUNY/CUNY universities, directly increasing higher education funding per tax distribution clause.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5657: Requires the commissioner of environmental conservation to promote education in hunting, fishing and outdoor education in high school physical education courses

Requires the commissioner of environmental conservation to promote education in hunting, fishing and outdoor education in high school physical education courses.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates adding hunting/fishing education to high school PE, enhancing curriculum content and student programs as per support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4151: Relates to student age eligibility for certain programs and benefits

This bill raises the age limit for certain education programs from 21 to 22 years for students with disabilities as defined in education law. It updates multiple sections of the education code to extend eligibility for high school diplomas (for students in state facilities or correctional settings), transportation services, and related benefits. The change specifically applies to students with disabilities covered under Section 4401 of the education law. It modifies existing eligibility rules without creating new programs or benefits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends diploma eligibility and services for students with disabilities, enhancing educational access under Section 4401 of education law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Special Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4019: Allows attendance at individualized education program (IEP) meetings to be covered under paid family leave

This bill expands New York's paid family leave program to include attendance at a child's individualized education program (IEP) meeting as a covered reason for leave. It allows eligible workers to use up to three hours of paid leave per IEP meeting to participate in planning their child's special education services. The change directly affects parents or caregivers of children with special needs who require school-based educational planning. The key provision amends the definition of "family leave" to explicitly include IEP meetings under the existing paid leave framework. This creates a concrete policy change allowing workers to take paid time off for this specific educational meeting without losing pay.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands paid leave access for parents to attend IEP meetings, directly supporting educational access for students with special needs through parental involvement in planning.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands paid family leave benefits to cover IEP meeting attendance, supporting caregivers' rights and work-life balance for special education needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Paid Leave

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