Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7919: Enacts Firefighter Joseph P. Spor Jr.'s Law requiring the establishment of September eleventh awareness curriculum or instruction for school districts

Enacts Firefighter Joseph P. Spor Jr.'s Law; requires the commissioner of education to establish September eleventh awareness curriculum or instruction for school districts; requires the education department to make curriculum materials and other resources regarding September eleventh available on its website.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new curriculum requirement for September 11 awareness, enhancing educational content and student civic education in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4413: Relates to certain educational requirements for public assistance

Relates to requiring participation in education programs leading to a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma for those seeking public assistance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates education program participation for public assistance recipients, expanding educational access and aligning with support indicators for advancing attainment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Dec 8, 2025

A 7400: Implements a students' bill of rights for state university of New York and city university of New York institutions

This bill requires all City University of New York (CUNY) institutions to adopt a formal "Students' Bill of Rights" in their policies. It directly affects CUNY students by guaranteeing specific rights, including student representation on policy-making bodies, student participation in conduct hearings, designated free speech spaces, and protections for student journalists (no prior censorship except for illegal content like libel or threats). The bill mandates that institutions post these policies online and provide them to all students, with student leaders also gaining guaranteed communication channels to the student body. It does not apply to SUNY institutions, as the title incorrectly states, and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees student rights including policy representation, conduct hearing participation, free speech spaces, and journalist protections in CUNY/SUNY institutions, directly advancing student welfare in higher education.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5754: Requires schools to include instruction on the prevention of co-occurring disorders as an integral part of their health education programs

This bill requires all New York schools to integrate instruction on preventing co-occurring disorders - such as mental health issues combined with substance misuse (alcohol, tobacco, or drugs) - into their standard health education curriculum. The instruction must be tailored to students' grade levels, focusing on promoting mental wellness, healthy decision-making, and understanding pathways to addiction. Schools must develop this content with input from existing advisory councils on youth substance abuse and suicide prevention. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all public and private schools offering health education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of mental health/substance prevention in health curriculum, strengthening educational content and student wellness programs per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health/substance misuse prevention education in schools, directly supporting mental health services through early intervention and wellness promotion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health Substance Abuse

Track

passed · New York · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 378: Relates to higher education funding opportunities for foster youth

Directs the education department and OCFS to prepare posters and pamphlets with information regarding higher education funding opportunities for foster youth.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects preparation of materials to inform foster youth about existing higher education funding opportunities, enhancing educational access for a vulnerable population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6187: Relates to providing that all schools have a multi-cultural curriculum

This bill requires all public elementary, junior high, and high schools to implement a multicultural curriculum. Schools must adapt the curriculum to their specific student body's cultural composition, and the education commissioner will create rules for both the curriculum and teacher training programs. The law mandates that educators receive training to effectively teach students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It takes effect on September 1 following its enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates multicultural curriculum implementation, adaptation to student demographics, and required teacher training to enhance educational access and curriculum quality in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 19, 2025

S 5198: Requires schools to include instruction on the prevention of eating disorders as an integral part of their health education programs

This bill requires all public schools to integrate eating disorder prevention education into health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. It mandates age-appropriate instruction designed to foster healthy self-image and prepare students for healthy living, as part of existing nutrition programs. Schools must develop this curriculum with guidance from eating disorder centers, as permitted by the commissioner. The law takes effect September 1st following its enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates eating disorder prevention education in health classes (grades 6-12), expanding curriculum to promote student health and well-being95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates eating disorder prevention education in schools, directly supporting mental health services through preventive care in public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1954: Prohibits the granting of tuition assistance awards to any student who has knowingly engaged in certain antisemitic activities

Enacts "the combating campus antisemitism act"; prohibits the granting of tuition assistance awards to any student who has knowingly engaged in promoting antisemitism in a manner that is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action, that constitutes "true threats"; makes related provisions.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts tuition assistance access for specific conduct, limiting educational funding access and imposing eligibility restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1724: Establishes the "Hunger-Free Campus Act"

This bill (A 1724, "Hunger-Free Campus Act") creates a grant program to address student food insecurity at public colleges and universities. It requires qualifying campuses to meet specific standards - including establishing student-inclusive task forces, providing SNAP enrollment assistance, operating food pantries, and hosting awareness events - to earn "hunger-free campus" designation. Public institutions meeting these criteria receive competitive grants to fund food security initiatives like meal vouchers, pantry access, and SNAP outreach. The program mandates annual student hunger surveys and requires a two-year report to state leaders detailing grant usage, student impacts, and recommendations for future funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state grant program funding food security initiatives at public colleges, directly allocating budget resources to address student hunger through public institution programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for campus food security initiatives at public colleges, directly supporting student access and educational success by addressing basic needs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses student food insecurity via public health initiatives (food pantries, SNAP assistance), aligning with healthcare's public health program focus to improve community health outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5040: Relates to reimbursement for students attending a boards of cooperative educational services program

This bill (A 5040) requires New York school districts to be reimbursed for actual costs incurred when students attend boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) programs. It directly affects school districts that send students to shared regional educational programs. The key provision mandates reimbursement for "any actual expense" related to student participation in these cooperative programs. The bill takes effect immediately upon appropriation of funds by the state budget, with a 45-day delay if funding isn't approved by the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state reimbursement for school district costs in BOCES programs, requiring budget appropriation to fund these expenses, directly advancing state spending on education programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReimburses school districts for BOCES program costs, ensuring funding stability for shared educational services and preventing districts from bearing these expenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track