What's happening
This bill extends the eligibility period for the New York State attorney loan forgiveness program from six to seven years and allows earlier participation.
Why it matters
Expands support for early-career attorneys. By allowing attorneys to qualify for loan forgiveness after their second year (instead of the third), the bill provides earlier financial relief, which may help retain new public service lawyers who often struggle with heavy student debt.
Extends the window for loan forgiveness eligibility. Increasing the eligible period from six to seven years means attorneys have more time to benefit from the program, accommodating those whose career paths or life circumstances may have delayed their participation.
Protects current participants. The bill ensures that attorneys already in the program will not lose any benefits or have their awards reduced, safeguarding existing commitments and providing stability for those counting on this support.
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Headline styles
Expand Attorney Loan Forgiveness
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1763
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to higher education
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to higher education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1972
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to rules
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.
Expand Attorney Loan Forgiveness
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Daniel O'Donnell
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6619
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 7, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the New York State district attorney and indigent legal services attorney loan forgiveness program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph b of subdivision 2 of section 679-e of the education law, as amended by section 1 of part VV of chapter 56 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
b. "Eligible period" means the [six-year] seven-year period after completion of the [third] second year and before the commencement of the tenth year of employment as an eligible attorney. For purposes of this section, all periods of time during which an admitted attorney was employed as an eligible attorney and all periods of time during which a law school graduate awaiting admission to the New York state bar was employed by a prosecuting or criminal defense agency as permitted by section four hundred eighty-four of the judiciary law shall be combined.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately. Nothing in this act shall be implemented in a manner that diminishes the current award or status of eligible attorneys currently participating in the program.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10490-02-7
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 the New York State district attorney and indigent legal services attorney loan forgiveness program
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would ensure that the loan forgiveness program enacted by New York State almost ten years ago continues to encourage attorneys in public service either as district attorneys or indigent services
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends paragraph b of subdivision 2 of section 679-e of the education law, as amended by section 1 or part VV of chapter 56 of the laws of 2009 to add an additional seventh year of service to the period of eligibility after completion of the second year of employment as an eligible attorney.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Difference between original and amended version (if applicable)
N/A
Justification
The loan forgiveness program for district attorney's and legal services has been in place for several years. During this time period, the cost of law school has increased dramatically, placing a high burden on these graduates who want a career in public service. The proposed changes to the time period will help insure that the program provides meaningful relief to these attorneys in public service by allowing them to qualify sooner.
Prior legislative history
2017: S.6619 - Passed Senate / A.6709A - Referred to Higher Education
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.