Relates to high school equivalency diplomas

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, the state finance law, the public health law, the social services law, the correction law, the administrative code of the city of New York and the civil service law, in relation to high school equivalency diplomas

Purpose

To ensure there is no financial hurdle for high school equivalency diplomas.

Summary of provisions

This bill prohibits a fee for admission to any exam that would award a high school equivalency diploma.

Existing law

There exists a prohibition on fees for admission to the general education development (GED) examination.

Justification

New York State developed a new high school equivalency exam beginning in January 2014. This bill continues the state's policy of not charging a fee for this new exam or any other exams that will lead to a high school equivalency diploma.

Current law, Education Law § 317, prohibits a fee for admission to the general education development (GED) examination.

This law remains and is not affected by this legislation.

This legislation would allow DCA's OFE to expand its efforts to link families with low incomes to safe, affordable products and services offered by mainstream financial institutions.

Accordingly, the Mayor urge the earliest possible favorable consideration of this proposal by the Legislature.

Legislative history

2013 A7873-A Passed Assembly 2013 S7414 Referred to Education 2012 A7790

Fiscal implications

None

Local fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect January 1, 2017 with provisions.