What's happening
This bill requires SUNY schools to offer academic credit programs for students who serve as active volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers.
Why it matters
Encourages civic engagement by formally recognizing and rewarding students who volunteer as firefighters or ambulance workers, integrating their service into academic achievement. This could incentivize more students to take on critical public safety volunteer roles that are often difficult to staff.
Sets clear structure and standards for earning academic credit, requiring a minimum of 20 verified service hours and an academic component (such as a written report or journal) tied directly to the student’s volunteer activities. This ensures that credit is not simply given for volunteering, but for meaningful, reflective engagement.
Limits academic credit to no more than six credits per student for this program, protecting academic rigor and preventing credit inflation, while still providing a substantial reward.
Gives individual SUNY campuses flexibility to implement these programs as they see fit, while setting statewide minimum standards and allowing input from relevant fire and emergency services organizations to maintain program quality and relevance.
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Who cares
Headline styles
College Credit for Student Volunteers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 55
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.233
- Referred to higher education
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.632
- 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.
Credit for Student First Responders
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1441
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2017
Introduced by Sen. FUNKE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher 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
S. 1441 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to certain service learning, internship, or independent study programs
Purpose
To allow community colleges and State University of New York (SUNY) schools to implement programs that would provide academic credit for successful completion of a service learning, internship, or independent study program in relation to the volunteer fire service, as prescribed by regulations established by the state university trustees.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends section 355 of the education law to direct the state university trustees to adopt regulations to establish a service learning, internship, or independent study program for students that serve as active volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers.
Section 2 of the bill is the effective date.
Justification
Colleges and universities often offer internships and independent study programs so students can earn academic credit while obtaining real-life work experience. Service learning programs are an emerging and growing teaching method on college campuses and these programs are also effective in combining academic learning and real-life experiences.
One of the most critical community services provided by New York residents is volunteer fire protection and emergency services. Many younger individuals may be interested in volunteering for their local fire department or ambulance company, but are discouraged from doing so due to the time demands of being a college student. This bill provides a common-sense approach to combining community service and academic learning which will lead to greater volunteerism and more well-rounded and experienced college students.
Under this legislation, the state university trustees will establish regulations that create guidelines for a service learning, internship or independent study program for active volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. Such programs must include a service and an academic requirement. Through involvement in the volunteer fire service, a student not only provides vital community services, but can also learn a number of valuable principles in various academic areas. Some topics students will learn about in the volunteer fire service include not-for-profit corporation governance, municipal government, licensing and permitting, charitable giving, record-keeping, compliance with safety and other laws, insurance, taxes, budgeting, and management.
This bill provides valuable skills and learning opportunities for students while encouraging more volunteerism to serve our communities. The skills and knowledge gained through the volunteer fire service are worthy of academic credit through properly developed and structured service learning, internship and independent study programs. This legislation allows SUNY schools and community colleges to recognize this by offering students the opportunity to participate in such programs, as prescribed by the state university trustees.
Legislative history
S.3126/A.2896 of 2015-2016; Passed Senate. S.6678/A.8989 of 2012-2013; Passed Senate.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.