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A 6644 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to degree-granting programs offered by SUNY's office of higher education in prison

Summary
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.
Issues: ✓ 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
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 6, 2025 Last action Jan 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A6644 → A6644A · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to add committee discharge language and changed the section number from 305 to 355-f. The substantive policy content regarding higher education in prison programs remains largely the same, with the main change being the addition of a requirement for the commissioner of corrections to collaborate on maximizing educational opportunities.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on establishing degree-granting programs in correctional facilities through SUNY's Office of Higher Education in Prison.
TECHNICAL

Changed the bill number from A6644 to A6644-A and added committee discharge language indicating the bill was amended and recommitted.

Changed the section number from Section 305 to Section 355-f when adding the new office of higher education in prison provisions.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to work with SUNY and the office of higher education in prison to maximize educational opportunities, including access to financial aid.

Changed the plan development requirement from the commissioner to the chancellor of the state university of New York or designee.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 6644A
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Erik Dilan
Erik Dilan
DDemocratic
NY
54