Requires the department of education to develop school health and mental health professionals to student ratios in public schools for students who do not receive services pursuant to the individuals with disabilities education act.
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.
This bill directs New York's education commissioner to create a statewide pilot program improving social and emotional learning (SEL) in schools, requiring every school district to implement it in at least one school within 12 months. The program must use pre-tested SEL curricula meeting specific standards (including evidence from federal clearinghouses and community service components) and be delivered through approved community organizations. All participating schools must integrate SEL into lessons or standalone classes for students from pre-K through 12th grade. The program will be evaluated by the state education department, with a final report due by July 2029, and is funded through state appropriations with an expiration date of August 2029.
This bill requires social services districts or authorized agencies to send written notice to a school's principal within the first day a foster care child enrolls. The notice must include specific details like the child's name, foster placement address, previous school, and social services contact, ensuring schools are promptly informed of a student's foster care status. All information shared under this bill must be kept confidential and cannot be disclosed beyond the required notification. The law takes effect 120 days after enactment.
Enacts "new deal for SUNY: the New York state higher education equality act" to provide free tuition to students who attend SUNY who are enrolled in academic coursework and are on track to graduate; establishes the state university tuition fund to reimburse the state university of New York for the cost of tuition for students who are eligible for free tuition.
S 6498, known as "Siena's Law," requires New York senior high schools to add breast cancer education to mandatory health classes, including age-appropriate instruction on self-examinations. Certified health teachers must deliver this content, covering prevention and detection methods for breast cancer as part of the standard curriculum. Local school boards may also choose to include this education in elementary and middle schools. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, after enactment.
This bill expands New York's existing tuition assistance program to cover short-term credential programs at public institutions like SUNY, CUNY, and community colleges. It authorizes aid for students enrolled in programs lasting 8-15 weeks (150-600 hours) that align with high-demand industries and lead to employer-recognized credentials. Aid amounts are calculated as a proportion of full-time tuition assistance based on the student's actual hours enrolled. The program does not create new funding but applies existing aid rules to these accelerated training programs.
Enacts the "educational equity and choice act"; requires nonpublic schools to provide the same services that public schools currently provide to nonpublic schools; provides that such costs shall be approved by the commissioner of education and borne by the state; makes related provisions.
This bill prohibits colleges and universities from denying admission to applicants solely because they have a history of incarceration. It directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals seeking enrollment in higher education. The law adds a new section to education law requiring institutions to consider all applicants without automatic denial based on past incarceration. The policy takes effect July 1 following enactment, applying to all public and private institutions of higher education in the state.
This bill requires all City University of New York (CUNY) colleges and universities to adopt written policies guaranteeing specific student rights. Key provisions include ensuring student representation on conduct boards and policy-making committees, establishing designated free speech spaces, and protecting student journalists' rights to publish without prior restraint (except for libel, obscenity, or imminent disruption). It also mandates that elected student leaders can communicate with the student body via official channels (with limited administrative review) and that student activity fees must be allocated based on student decisions. The law directly affects all CUNY students by formalizing their participation in campus governance and expression rights.
