Requires regulations to permit tuition waivers for two courses for firefighter students in baccalaureate/higher degree CUNY programs

1 Co-sponsor

• William J. Larkin Jr.

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to certain tuition waivers for firefighters and fire officer students of the city university of New York; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose

To allow firefighters and fire officers employed by the New York City Fire Department to attend two courses without tuition, at a senior college of the City University System.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill adds a new paragraph (d) to subdivision 7 of Education Law section 6206 to require the trustees of the City University of New York ("CUNY") to promulgate regulations that would afford firefighters employed by the New York City Fire Department ("FDNY") who are enrolled in a program leading to a baccalaureate or higher degree to attend two courses without tuition, provided that such attendance does not deny course attendance by another person who is otherwise qualified under section 6206.

Section 2 of the bill provides that this bill shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed on July 1, 2019.

Existing law

Currently, police officers employed by the New York City Police Department ("NYPD") who are enrolled in a program leading to a baccalaureate or higher degree are afforded the opportunity to attend two tuition-free courses at CUNY. The same opportunity is not afforded to firefighters employed by FDNY who are enrolled in a program leading to a baccalaureate or higher degree.

Justification

Chapter 548 of the Laws of 2004 amended the Education Law to afford police officers employed by NYPD who are enrolled in a program leading to a baccalaureate or higher degree to attend two tuition-free courses at CUNY. This program was originally set to expire on July 1, 2006. It has been extended four times and is currently set to expire on July 1, 2016.

Firefighters should be afforded the same opportunity. The rationale underlying the program for police officers is equally applicable to firefighters. This underlying rationale "was to provide an incentive for public safety personnel to pursue education early in their careers so that the taxpaying citizens would enjoy the greatest long-term benefit from an educated public safety service."

Legislative history

2015: S.1473 - Passed the Senate 2014: S.3958-B - Passed the Senate 2013: S.3958-B - Reported to Finance 2012: S.6437 - Referred to Higher Education

Fiscal implications

None to the State

Effective date

This bill shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed on July 1, 2019.