Education

signed · New York · Senate Nov 21, 2025

S 3161: Moves the Amistad Commission from the department of state to the state education department

This bill moves the Amistad Commission from the State Department to the State Education Department. The commission, which focuses on promoting education about the African slave trade, slavery in America, and African-American contributions, will now be managed by the Education Department rather than the State Department. This transfer shifts administrative responsibility for the commission's work - such as developing educational resources, recognizing schools teaching African-American history, and advising on curriculum - to the Education Department. The bill is now law (Chapter 542, signed November 21, 2025).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMoves educational commission to Education Department, strengthening curriculum integration for African-American history education and resource development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · New York · Assembly Nov 21, 2025

A 5685: Relates to the New York state masters-in-education teacher incentive scholarship program

This bill establishes a scholarship program for New York State residents pursuing master's degrees in education. It directly affects students enrolled full-time in approved New York state education programs who earned their undergraduate degree in New York, maintained residency during that time, and commit to teaching full-time in New York public schools for five years. The program prioritizes applicants attending public colleges (as defined by law), with remaining scholarships available for private college students meeting the same eligibility criteria. Key requirements include academic excellence during undergraduate studies and signing a teaching commitment contract with the state. The scholarship covers costs for qualifying education degree programs leading to teaching careers in New York's public elementary or secondary schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes scholarship for teacher master's degrees with public school teaching commitment, directly funding educator development and retention in K-12 schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · New York · Assembly Nov 21, 2025

A 7385: Relates to the Rochester school facilities modernization program act

Authorizes an additional $125 million for Phase 3 of the Rochester school facilities modernization program; extends phase 3 of the Rochester school facilities modernization program to 2033.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes $125M for school facility modernization, directly funding K-12 infrastructure improvements per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · New York · Senate Nov 21, 2025

S 7486: Qualifies the permitted use of proceeds from the lease of lands located at the state university of New York at Purchase

Qualifies the permitted use of proceeds from the lease of lands located at the state university of New York at Purchase shall go to New York state resident students who are eligible to receive a federal Pell grant.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects lease proceeds to NY state Pell-eligible students, increasing financial aid access for higher education through targeted funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · New York · Senate Nov 21, 2025

S 8218: Relates to certain bonds issued to finance school rehabilitation or reconstruction costs for Rochester schools

This bill (S 8218, now Chapter 567) modifies how interest costs are calculated for bonds financing Rochester school rehabilitation or reconstruction projects. It establishes a specific formula for determining the interest rate used to calculate state aid for these projects, requiring cities to provide annual interest rate analyses to the education commissioner. The bill ensures that refunding bond savings (from refinancing existing school debt) must be used solely for new eligible school projects. It directly affects Rochester schools, the Monroe Industrial Development Agency, and the State Dormitory Authority in administering school facility funding. The law clarifies the process for calculating interest costs to align with state funding formulas for school modernization programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill modifies bond interest calculations to ensure funds for Rochester school rehabilitation/reconstruction, advancing infrastructure funding through structured state aid and mandatory use of refunding savings for new projects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · New York · Senate Oct 23, 2025

S 4544: Enacts the "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act"

Prohibits discrimination against and harassment or bullying of students by other students on school property or at a school function; requires schools to investigate reports of bullying; requires schools to adopt a written, plain-language anti-bullying and harassment policy; requires school employees to report incidents of bullying or harassment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to adopt anti-bullying policies, investigate incidents, and protect students - directly strengthening school safety and environment under education policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

vetoed · New York · Senate Oct 16, 2025

S 1224: Relates to coverage for services provided by school-based health centers for medical assistance recipients

This bill (S 1224) prevents school-based health center services from being delivered to medical assistance recipients (like Medicaid beneficiaries) through private managed care insurance plans. It amends state law to require these services to continue being provided directly outside of managed care programs. The key change ensures that students receiving medical assistance can access school health services through traditional public health channels, not through private insurance networks. The bill was passed by the legislature in June 2025 but was vetoed by the governor on October 16, 2025, so it did not become law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures school-based health services for Medicaid students remain accessible via public channels, supporting student health and educational access. Directly impacts K-12 school services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures Medicaid beneficiaries access school health services via public channels, preventing private insurance barriers and improving access to care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · New York · Senate Sep 26, 2025

S 2590: Requires nonpublic schools provide and maintain on-site automatic external defibrillators on school grounds

Requires nonpublic schools provide and maintain on-site automatic external defibrillator (AED) equipment on school grounds and assure that AED equipment is available for off-site curricular events, extracurricular events or school-sponsored athletic events.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires AEDs in nonpublic schools for student safety, aligning with school infrastructure protection under education policies.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · New York · Senate Sep 5, 2025

S 2457: Establishes the mechanical insulation energy savings program

Establishes the mechanical insulation energy savings program to provide grants for qualified mechanical insulation expenditures to school districts, public hospitals, public housing buildings, and political subdivisions that have completed a qualified audit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state grants for energy efficiency in public buildings (schools, hospitals), directly funding essential services through budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for school district mechanical insulation, improving school infrastructure and energy efficiency as part of funding support.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides grants for mechanical insulation to improve energy efficiency in public buildings, directly advancing energy savings goals through infrastructure investment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds energy efficiency upgrades in public buildings, reducing energy consumption and associated emissions through mechanical insulation grants.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides grants for insulation in public housing buildings, directly funding housing infrastructure improvements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · New York · Assembly Aug 26, 2025

A 5448: Requires the appointment of a Title VI coordinator at every college and university in the state

Requires the appointment of a Title VI coordinator at every college and university in the state to ensure compliance with Title VI of the federal civil rights act of 1964; requires the division of human rights to develop training for students and employees; requires the Title VI coordinator to notify annually all students and employees of the institution's policies and procedures for reporting discrimination and harassment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates Title VI coordinators and anti-discrimination training at colleges to protect students/employees from discrimination, strengthening equitable educational access and compliance with civil rights laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education