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History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1091
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
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Defines "severely and permanently disabled" for purposes of state scholarships and education loans
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6985
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the definition of severely and permanently disabled for purposes of eligibility for certain scholarships and loans
Purpose
This legislation would permit a severely and permanently disabled person to be eligible for the World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship and Military enhanced recognition, incentive and tribute ("MERIT") scholarships despite whether such person is able to engage in a part-time occupation.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Defines "severely and permanently" disabled, as referenced in sections 604, 608, 608-a, 668-b, 668-d, and 668-e, as a person who has one or more impairments, disabilities or conditions which are permanent in nature, as certified by a licensed physician, and which are of such a nature as to prevent such person from engaging full-time employment, for remuneration, for thirty-five hours or more a week outside of such person's home.
Section 2: Effective Date
Existing law
Currently, the Education Law does not define what it means to be severely and permanently disabled for the purposes of receiving the World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship and Military enhanced recognition, incentive and tribute ("MERIT") scholarships. However, HESC has construed these terms to mean that the victim is unable to engage in any occupation.
Justification
Currently, the Higher Education Services Corporation defines severely and permanently disabled as the victim is unable to engage in any occupation (including part time or light duty).
This definition prohibits victims from being eligible for the World Trade Center Memorial and "MERIT" scholarships should they find a way to keep working after they have suffered a severe and permanent disability. For instance, under HESC's definition, a person who is 70% disabled due to health effects from World Trade Center exposure would not be eligible for the WTC Memorial Scholarship if they were able to do part-time work from home. This legislation would ensure that victims are not prohibited from being eligible for these scholarships and loans because they make a determined effort to keep working after they suffer their injuries.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.