Education

passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

J 1962: Honoring influential Black authors upon the occasion of their designation for special recognition at the 4th Annual Black Authors Festival on August 1, 2026

This Senate Resolution honors a group of influential Black authors and community leaders at the 4th Annual Black Authors Festival on August 1, 2026, in Sag Harbor, New York. The bill formally recognizes individuals such as Darlene Williams, Maurice L. Williams, Dr. Mathew Knowles, and others for their contributions to literacy, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. It directs the legislature to pause its proceedings to acknowledge these honorees and instructs that copies of the resolution be sent to the recipients and the festival organizers. The measure serves as a ceremonial tribute rather than establishing new laws or funding requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors authors for contributions to literacy and cultural preservation, directly supporting educational access and enrichment.75% confidence

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passed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

J 2028: Honoring Maxwell Kaufman upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the New York State Citizenship Award

This bill is a Senate resolution that formally honors Maxwell Kaufman, a high school student from Plainview, New York, for receiving the New York State Citizenship Award. The resolution acknowledges Kaufman's academic achievements, leadership roles in various student organizations, and community service as a volleyball captain and coach. It directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to recognize Kaufman and mandates that a copy of the resolution be sent to him.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors a high school student for academic and leadership achievements, indirectly supporting K-12 education values.75% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 1, 2026

A 10782: Creates the teacher training initiative fund for autism; appropriation

This bill establishes a new fund called the Teacher Training Initiative Fund for Autism to support professional development for educators. It directly affects the state's education system by creating a dedicated pool of money to train current teachers and those preparing to become teachers on how to instruct students with autism. The legislation appropriates an initial $10 million from the state's general fund and requires the Commissioner of Education to develop specific rules and a training program to manage these resources. All funds must be spent within the fiscal year they are received, and their use is subject to approval by the state comptroller.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $10M from the state general fund to create a new initiative for teacher training, directly increasing funding for public education services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a dedicated $10M fund to train teachers on instructing students with autism, directly enhancing educator capacity and student access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability State Budget Teachers

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 8, 2026

A 10870: Removes minimum year requirements for attendance at a New York high school when determining eligibility for certain student loans

This bill removes the requirement that students must have attended a New York high school for at least two years to qualify for certain state student loans. It allows graduates who attended a New York high school for any duration to apply for undergraduate loans within five years of graduation and graduate loans within ten years. The change directly affects New York high school graduates who may have left school early but still wish to pursue higher education using these financial awards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by removing attendance barriers for student loans, allowing more graduates to pursue higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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signed · New York · Assembly Jun 26, 2026

A 11007: Extends certain tuition waivers for police officer students of the city university of New York

This bill extends tuition waivers for police officer students attending the City University of New York until July 1, 2028. The change directly affects current and future police recruits who are enrolled in CUNY programs, allowing them to continue receiving financial support for their education. By amending existing state laws, the legislation ensures that these educational benefits remain in place for an additional two years beyond the previous expiration date. The measure is a straightforward policy adjustment that does not alter the eligibility criteria for the waivers, only their duration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds education for police recruits, enhancing professional training and capacity within law enforcement.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill extends tuition waivers for police officer students at CUNY, directly funding higher education and expanding access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Higher Education

in committee · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 9670: Authorizes BOCES to establish a workers' compensation reserve fund

This bill authorizes Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to create a workers' compensation reserve fund, joining school districts and other entities that are already permitted to do so. The legislation allows these organizations to set aside money specifically for paying workers' compensation benefits and covering the costs of running their self-insurance programs. Funds in the reserve must be kept separate from other finances and can only be used for authorized claims or administrative expenses, with any excess money at the end of a fiscal year allowed to be transferred to other approved funds or applied to the next year's budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by authorizing BOCES to establish a reserve fund for workers' compensation, ensuring dedicated resources for claims and self-insurance costs.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens K-12 education by enabling BOCES to establish a workers' compensation reserve, protecting educators' benefits and ensuring financial stability for school staff.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes a reserve fund for workers' compensation, strengthening financial security for injured workers and supporting workplace safety benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 14, 2026

J 1891: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026 as School Library Month in the State of New York

This bill asks the Governor of New York to officially recognize April 2026 as School Library Month. The measure highlights the value of school libraries and certified librarians in supporting student learning and development. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal declaration of appreciation for library programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill formally recognizes the value of school libraries and librarians, enhancing appreciation for educational programs without restricting access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 6, 2026

A 10959: Authorizes the provision of child care services on school grounds during school and non-school hours

This bill allows school districts to offer child care services on school property during both school and non-school hours. It specifically directs the Cobleskill-Richmondville school district to provide care for three- and four-year-olds who lack sufficient childcare options, provided there is available space. The cost of these services must be covered by the parents, local social services, or other public and private sources, rather than by the school district itself. The changes will not take effect until eighteen months after the bill becomes law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by enabling child care services on school grounds, supporting families and early education.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · New York · Senate May 8, 2026

S 10247: Authorizes the provision of child care services on school grounds during school and non-school hours

This bill allows school districts to offer child care services on their property during both school and non-school hours. It permits districts to prioritize care for students first, then for employees, and finally for children aged three and four who lack other care options, with the specific plan decided by the local board of education. The cost of these services must be covered by parents, social services, or other public and private sources, rather than being paid for by the school district itself. The law will not take effect until eighteen months after it is passed.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by enabling child care services on school grounds, supporting families and students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Tags Children

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in committee · New York · Senate May 15, 2026

S 10451: Relates to requiring boards of education to allow access to attorneys for certain children

Requires boards of education and school districts to allow children involved in an investigation or proceeding relating to abuse and/or neglect reasonable access to court appointed attorneys.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ensures children in abuse/neglect cases have access to legal counsel, protecting civil rights and enhancing fairness in judicial proceedings.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures legal access for children in abuse/neglect cases, protecting vulnerable students and enhancing educational access by safeguarding their rights.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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