What's happening
This bill requires SUNY and CUNY colleges to grant academic credit for certain training completed by volunteer firefighters, ambulance workers, and EMTs.
Why it matters
Recognizes and values volunteer public service. by allowing training completed as a firefighter, ambulance worker, or EMT to translate into college credits, signaling that these roles involve significant, college-level learning.
Reduces educational costs and time-to-degree. for eligible volunteers, as they can earn up to 30 academic credits (potentially up to one year’s worth of coursework) without extra fees, tuition, or charges, making higher education more accessible and affordable.
Sets a standard for credit transfer. by requiring that only training which meets American Council on Education (or equivalent) standards qualifies, ensuring academic integrity and encouraging high-quality, standardized training programs for volunteers.
Could incentivize volunteerism. in critical emergency response roles by offering a tangible educational benefit, potentially aiding recruitment and retention for volunteer fire, ambulance, and EMT services across the state.
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Who cares
Headline styles
College Credit for Volunteers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2772
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 17, 2017
Introduced by Sen. RITCHIE -- 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 granting academic credit at state operated institutions of the state university of New York and the senior colleges of the city university of New York to volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers and volunteer emergency medical technicians
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 350 of the education law is amended by adding three new subdivisions 14, 15 and 16 to read as follows:
14. "Volunteer firefighter" shall have the same meaning as subdivision one of section three of the volunteer firefighters' benefit law.
15. "Volunteer ambulance worker" shall have the same meaning as subdivision one of section three of the volunteer ambulance workers' benefit law.
16. "Volunteer emergency medical technician" shall have the same meaning as subdivision six of section three thousand one of the public health law but shall only apply to those workers who are volunteers.
§ 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 362 to read as follows:
§ 362. Course credit for volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers and volunteer emergency medical technicians. 1. Every volunteer firefighter, volunteer ambulance worker and volunteer emergency medical technician, as defined in section three hundred fifty of this article, who is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis as an undergraduate student in good standing at an institution within the state university system shall, upon application, be granted up to six academic credits per year and thirty credits in the aggregate towards his or her degree for completion of courses that were part of such person's training if the completed courses meet the standards of the American council on
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08299-01-7
S. 2772 2
education or its equivalent for the awarding of academic credits. No fee, tuition or other charge shall be assessed against a volunteer firefighter, volunteer ambulance worker and volunteer emergency medical technician, who qualifies for such credit pursuant to this section.
2. The board of trustees of the state university shall adopt such procedures as are necessary to fully implement the provisions of this section.
§ 3. Section 6202 of the education law is amended by adding three new subdivisions 10, 11 and 12 to read as follows:
10. The term "volunteer firefighter" shall have the same meaning as subdivision one of section three of the volunteer firefighters' benefit law.
11. The term "volunteer ambulance worker" shall have the same meaning as subdivision one of section three of the volunteer ambulance workers' benefit law.
12. The term "volunteer emergency medical technician" shall have the same meaning as subdivision six of section three thousand one of the public health law but shall only apply to those workers who are volunteers.
§ 4. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6217 to read as follows:
§ 6217. Course credit for volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers and volunteer emergency medical technicians. 1. Every volunteer firefighter, volunteer ambulance worker and volunteer emergency medical technician, as defined in section sixty-two hundred two of this article, who is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis as an undergraduate student in good standing at an institution within the city university system shall, upon application, be granted up to six academic credits per year and thirty credits in the aggregate towards his or her degree for completion of courses that were part of such person's training if the completed courses meet the standards of the American council on education or its equivalent for the awarding of academic credits. No fee, tuition or other charge shall be assessed against a volunteer firefighter, volunteer ambulance worker and volunteer emergency medical technician, who qualifies for such credit pursuant to this section.
2. The board of trustees of the city university of New York shall adopt such procedures as are necessary to fully implement the provisions of this section.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
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 granting academic credit at state operated institutions of the state university of New York and the senior colleges of the city university of New York to volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers and volunteer emergency medical technicians
Purpose
To permit the granting of academic credit at state operated institutions to volunteer first responders.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends § 350 of the Education Law by defining the terms "volunteer firefighter," "volunteer ambulance worker," and "volunteer emergency medical technician," for the sections of law relating to the State University and State Financial Assistance for Higher Education.
Read the full memo (645 words)
Section 2 amends the Education Law by adding a new section authorizing the granting of course credit for volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers, and volunteer emergency medical technicians through the State University system.
Section 3 amends § 6202 of the Education Law by defining the terms "volunteer firefighter," "volunteer ambulance worker," and "volunteer emergency medical technician," for the sections of law relating to the City University of New York.
Section 4 amends the Education Law by adding a new section authorizing the granting of course credit for volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers, and volunteer emergency medical technicians through the City University system.
Section 5 is the effective date.
Existing law
The terms "volunteer firefighter," "volunteer ambulance worker," and "volunteer emergency medical technician," are defined pursuant to other sections of law.
Volunteer firefighter is defined pursuant to § 3(1) of the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law, which states, "volunteer fireman means an active volunteer member of a fire company."
Volunteer ambulance worker is defined pursuant to § 3(1) of the Volunteer Ambulance Workers Benefit Law, which states, "volunteer ambulance worker means an active volunteer member of an ambulance company as specified on a list regularly maintained by that company for the purpose of this chapter."
Volunteer emergency medical technician is defines pursuant to § 3001(6) of the Public Health Law, which states, "emergency medical technician means an individual who meets the minimum requirements established by regulations pursuant to § 3002 of this Article, and who is responsible for administration or supervision of initial emergency medical care and transportation of sick or injured persons." Section 3002 of the Public Health Law creates the New York State Emergency Medical Services Council and authorizes the Council to enact, amend, and repeal the rules and regulations for establishing standards for ambulance and related public health services.
Article 14 of the Education Law pertains to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation. Part 2 of this Article provides the provisions related to student financial aid and subpart 2 provides general awards. Currently, the general awards subpart does not authorize the granting of course credit for volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers and volunteer emergency medical technicians.
Justification
The men and women who protect public health and safety as volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers and volunteer emergency medical technicians play a vital role in communities across New York State.
In becoming volunteer emergency responders, individuals are required to complete extensive training that enables them to meet the demands of their volunteer work. These courses teach volunteers a wide variety of skills, many of which are already part of courses that could help a student successfully earn a SUNY diploma.
This bill would help to support volunteer responders by allowing them to earn college credits for the completion of certain courses that were part of their training. In addition, while volunteering to serve one's community can be personally satisfying and rewarding, this bill provides an additional incentive to attract new recruits.
Legislative history
S.7561 Referred to Higher Education.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first July next succeeding the date on which is shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.