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Sponsors
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History
- Held for consideration in higher education
- Print number 3578a
- Amend and recommit to higher education
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A3578A
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the admission of persons with criminal records to institutions of higher education
Purpose or general idea of bill
The bill prohibits unfair discrimination by colleges and universities based upon a person having previously been convicted of a criminal offense.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill adds a new paragraph (f) to subdivision 3 of section 313 of the education law. This paragraph provides that it shall be an unfair educational practice for institutions of higher education to discriminate against a person seeking admission based on a previous criminal conviction without conducting the analysis required of employers and licensing agencies pursuant article 23-A of the correction law.
Section 2 of the bill adds a new paragraph (g) to subdivision 3 of section 313 of the education law. This paragraph provides that it shall be an unfair educational practice for institutions of higher education to discriminate against a person seeking admission based on any arrest or criminal accusation, not currently pending, that was terminated in the person's favor.
Justification
People with criminal convictions often face severe discrimination in accessing educational resources and finding gainful employment. As a result, many convicted persons languish in poverty which increases the likelihood that they will resort to criminal conduct. Although article 23-A of the correction law provides protection against discrimination for people with criminal convictions seeking employment and licensure, no such protection exists for people applying to institutions of higher learning. This bill extends the protection against discrimination for people with criminal records applying to colleges and universities while still allowing these institutions the ability to deny admission if, after proper analysis, it is determined that a particular person would create an unreasonable risk to the safety or welfare of others.
Prior legislative history
New bill. A11407 referred to higher education 5/18/06. A4500 referred to higher education in 2007 and 2008.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
The bill takes effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.