Bill A 8157 mandates that all schools incorporate instruction on the prevention of eating disorders into their health education programs. This new instruction will be provided to students in grades six through twelve as a component of their nutrition programs. The curriculum must be age-appropriate, designed to foster a healthy self-image and prepare students for healthy lives. The commissioner may consult with comprehensive care centers for eating disorders when developing this instruction.
This bill creates a competitive grant program providing school districts and eligible nonprofits with $25,000-$100,000 to transform schoolyards into "living schoolyards" at elementary and secondary schools across New York. These outdoor learning spaces must include features like gardens, natural playgrounds, and outdoor classrooms designed with community input and ADA accessibility. Grants require a master plan covering ecological goals, educational activities, and long-term maintenance, with funds specifically allocated for native trees (to combat heat), natural playgrounds (for inclusivity and cost savings), and educator training. The program directly affects schools serving students, particularly those with higher free/reduced lunch eligibility, by creating healthier, greener outdoor learning environments on school grounds.
Requires school districts and board of cooperative educational services to pay physical therapists and occupational therapists in alignment with the department's career ladder pathway framework; makes related provisions.
Enacts the "youth & teen internet safety and social media literacy act"; directs the commissioner of education to provide technical assistance to school districts for the development of curricula for such study of courses which shall be age appropriate and developed according to the needs and abilities of pupils at successive grade levels in order to provide awareness, skills, information, and support to aid in the safe usage of the internet, social media, and artificial intelligence.
This bill creates a free, mandatory test preparation program for all sixth-grade students in New York City public schools, culminating in a pre-specialized high schools admissions test administered in spring. Parents may opt their child out of the program. After completing the program, students receive a "gap analysis" identifying learning needs, which schools must use to tailor instruction - including potential enrollment in specialized high school test prep. The program must be offered during regular school hours at no cost to families.
Directs the education department and OCFS to prepare posters and pamphlets with information regarding higher education funding opportunities for foster youth.
This bill allows school districts in western New York to tax certain state-owned land used for correctional facilities, specifically targeting properties in the Alden and Gowanda central school districts (Erie County). It amends tax law to include the land (excluding state-built improvements) of these facilities in the school tax base. The change directly affects those two school districts by potentially increasing their local tax revenue from state-owned properties. The bill requires no further action beyond the tax law amendment and takes effect immediately.
This bill allows cities with over 1 million residents (like New York City) to add a 4.3% surcharge on personal income tax for residents earning over $500,000, effective January 2026. It applies to married couples filing jointly, single filers, heads of household, and estates/trusts. All revenue from this surcharge must be used exclusively for early childhood education programs in the city, not general funds. The surcharge expires December 2030, and cities must adopt the local law by December 2025.
Establishes a personal income tax deduction for the interest paid on student loans by individual taxpayers having a federal adjusted income of between $65,000 and $125,000, and married taxpayers filing jointly having a federal adjusted income of between $130,000 and $250,000.
This bill establishes the New York State Celiac Disease Awareness and Research Fund, funded through voluntary contributions added to state income tax returns (Section 4 of Tax Law). It requires high schools to include celiac disease awareness in health education (Section 804-e) and mandates healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.) to complete two hours of celiac disease training by 2028 (Section 6505-f). The fund will support public awareness campaigns and research into celiac disease, with no more than 10% of funds allocated to research annually (Section 95-l of State Finance Law). The bill directly affects New York residents (via tax contributions), students (through school curriculum), and healthcare providers (via training requirements).
