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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 54
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Print number 477a
- Amend and recommit to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Provides tuition awards to children of firefighters, police officers, volunteer firefighters, and EMTs with permanent and total disabilities
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Joseph Morelle
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S477A
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing tuition awards to children of firefighters, police officers, volunteer firefighters, and emergency medical technicians with permanent and total disabilities
Purpose
This legislation would provide tuition awards to children of firefighters with permanent and total disabilities.
Summary of provisions
The education law is amended by adding a new section 669-e which provides tuition awards for children of firefighters with permanent and total disabilities. Eligibility: Child whose parent is a firefighter who is eligible for permanent and total disability benefits, as defined in section eight of the volunteer firefighters benefit law, shall be eligible for a tuition award to be made available by the president of the higher education services corporation. Amount shall be equal to the cost of undergraduate tuition, offset by any other financial assistance or award received. Duration should not exceed more than eight semesters, equivalent to four years of academic study, or ten semesters if the undergraduate program requires five years of academic study.
Justification
Few occupational efforts are as selfless and more important than being a fireman and/or a volunteer firefighter. The individuals who serve in these capacities ensure not only our public safety but also preserve our quality of life.
The work of these individuals is dangerous. Every time they go to work, they place their very lives in peril. The hazards they face are real and substantial, and their bravery, training and commitment are the principal factors of their survival and success.
Our state must recognize the importance of the service of our uniformed public servants. We must recognize their service and stand prepared to assist their spouses and children when, in the course of the performance of their service to the community, they are injured and become permanently and totally disabled.
This bill would recognize and reward the service of our state's firemen and volunteer firefighters by providing tuition awards to children of firefighters with permanent and total disabilities.
Legislative history
S.5999A of 2004 S.1978 of 2005/2006 S.591 of 2007/2008 S.2944 of 2009/2010
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.