Directs the commissioner of education to change the name of the state high school equivalency diploma to the Excelsior diploma
This bill renames New York State's high school equivalency diploma from "General Education Development (GED)" or "high school equivalency diploma" to the "Excelsior diploma" across all state and city laws. It removes fees for the exam and updates references in education, correction, and city administrative codes to reflect the new name. The change directly affects individuals seeking high school equivalency credentials, including those in correctional facilities pursuing vocational training or work release programs. Key provisions include replacing all prior terminology in statutes and ensuring the Excelsior diploma is recognized as the sole pathway to this credential.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 18, 2025
Last action May 28, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
S5067A
→
S5067B
·
1 edit
MINOR
This bill version was updated to reflect its passage through the Senate and delivery to the Assembly. The substantive legal text regarding the Excelsior diploma and vocational training facilities remains identical to the previous version, with no changes to eligibility, funding, or program requirements.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the only difference is the procedural status of the legislation.
TECHNICAL
The bill number was updated from S 5067-A to S 5067-B, and the sponsor list was expanded to include Senator Jackson. The procedural history was updated to record the bill's favorable report from the Education Committee, its passage by the Senate, and its delivery to the Assembly.
Floor votes · Senate Jun 10, 2025
How they voted
56–2
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 63
Jun 10, 2025
D
Democratic41
87% Yea
R
Republican22
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
24
Key actions
5
Committee
5
Amendments
2
May 28, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
lower
May 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
REPASSED SENATE
upper
Apr 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMENDED ON THIRD READING 5067B
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
upper
Jun 10, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
lower
Jun 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
AMENDED ON THIRD READING 5067A
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
upper
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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