What's happening
This bill requires SUNY to offer academic credit programs for students who are active volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers.
Why it matters
Recognizes and rewards community service. By allowing students to earn academic credit for their roles as active volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers, the bill values civic engagement and incentivizes public service among college students.
Flexible academic structure. The credits can be earned through a range of formats—service learning, internship, or independent study—giving both students and institutions flexibility in how the experience is integrated into academic programs.
Structured requirements for credit. The program mandates a minimum of twenty hours of verifiable volunteer service plus an academic component (like a report or journal), ensuring that credits are awarded for meaningful and documented contributions, not just participation.
Potential to strengthen local emergency services. By making volunteer service more attractive to students, SUNY campuses could help address recruitment and retention challenges faced by volunteer fire and ambulance organizations, benefiting public safety across New York.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Credit for Student First Responders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to higher education
- Reference changed to higher education
- Referred to 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.
College Credit for Student Volunteers
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Rich Funke
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5533
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 10, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to certain service learning, internship, or independent study programs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 355 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 20 to read as follows:
20. The state university trustees shall adopt regulations to establish a service learning, internship, or independent study program for students that serve as active volunteer firefighters and/or active volunteer ambulance workers. Each state-operated institution and community college may, as determined by its president, offer such a service learning, internship, or independent study program to eligible students in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the state university trustees. Such program shall consist of (a) a community service component that may be completed through no less than twenty hours of verifiable volunteer firefighting activities, volunteer ambulance or emergency response activities, or other activities related to volunteer fire or ambulance service as determined by the state university trustees, and (b) an academic component related to such volunteer activity that may be completed through a written report or journal, or other written assignment as determined by the state university trustees. Such program shall be open to any student enrolled in an associate or baccalaureate degree-producing program on a full-time or part-time basis that is an active volunteer firefighter as defined in subdivision one of section two hundred fifteen of the general municipal law or an active volunteer ambulance worker as defined in subdivision fourteen of section two hundred nineteen-k of the general municipal law. No more than six academic credits shall be awarded to a student for successful completion of such service learning, internship or independent study program. In
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03506-01-7
A. 5533 2
developing the service learning, internship or independent study program described in this subdivision, the state university trustees may, in its discretion, consult with the office of fire prevention and control and/or any statewide organization that represents the interests of the volunteer fire service or the volunteer ambulance service.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law; provided however that, effective immediately, the state university trustees are authorized and directed to add, amend and/or repeal any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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