This bill allows the Vestal Central School District to establish an insurance reserve fund to help cover specific insurance claims and legal judgments. The legislation amends state law to explicitly include this school district alongside other existing districts that are permitted to create such funds. Under the new rules, the district can use money from the reserve to pay for losses related to risks where insurance is required, provided it does not already have a separate reserve for those same risks. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, giving the school board the authority to set up the fund and begin managing it according to state guidelines.
Provides that beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, certain graduate students shall be required to pay 25% of all current and future mandatory university fees; provides that in the 2027-2028 academic year and thereafter, no mandatory university fees shall be charged to certain graduate students and adjunct staff, with the exclusion of the graduate student association student activity fee.
Establishes a task force to study and make recommendations on chronic absenteeism at public schools in the state of New York; establishes reporting requirements.
Allows parents of a child who has ever received services through an English as a second language program to serve as a member of the citywide council on English language learners and of the citywide council on high schools even if the child is no longer enrolled.
Senate Bill 4692 requires all private colleges and universities in the state to provide menstrual products. These products must be made available in the restrooms of their school buildings. The bill specifies that these items must be offered at no charge to students. This legislation directly affects private higher education institutions, which must supply the products, and benefits their students by ensuring free access to them.
This bill establishes the "libraries literacy education guidance act," directing the State Librarian to provide guidance on evidence-based practices for literacy education. This guidance, focusing on reading competency areas like phonemic awareness, phonics, and comprehension, will be distributed to all public and association libraries in New York state. It is primarily for students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, with modified guidance for older students and adults. The State Librarian must update this guidance every two years, considering feedback from the libraries.
Extends the time period from eighteen years to twenty-five years that a school shall be guaranteed recovery of energy performance contract costs from energy savings incurred by school districts over that time period.
S 3249 expands driver education options in New York by adding licensed state driving schools to the list of approved providers, alongside high schools and colleges. It directly affects minors seeking driver's licenses (Class D/M) by allowing them to complete approved courses at these driving schools, with specific provisions for two religious schools (Yeshiva of Staten Island and Hebrew Academy of Nassau County) to offer courses at non-traditional locations. Key provisions require classroom training by state-approved instructors, permit school districts to contract with driving schools for behind-the-wheel training, and allow students in approved courses to operate vehicles under instructor supervision during training. The bill mandates certification of course completion by the commissioner and updates licensing requirements for minors.
Grants retroactive participation in the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System to the Rockland Central School District; deems such school district to have been a participating employer beginning on July 1, 2025 and relates to contributions made by eligible employees on and after July 1, 2025.
Directs the department of social services to establish an outdoor, nature-based child care pilot project to explore establishing licensing guidelines for the operation of outdoor, nature-based child care programs in an outdoor space and that employ a nature-based early learning curriculum to teach enrolled children.
