What's happening
This bill increases the annual loan forgiveness amount for New York state district attorney and indigent legal services attorneys to $5,500.
Why it matters
Raises the financial incentive. for attorneys to work as district attorneys or for indigent legal services in New York, which may help recruit and retain more qualified lawyers in these critical but often lower-paying public service roles.
Addresses student debt burdens. faced by public sector attorneys, recognizing the high cost of legal education and the comparatively modest salaries in public service compared to private practice.
Potentially improves the quality of legal representation. available to both the state (through district attorneys) and to low-income defendants (through indigent legal services), as higher forgiveness amounts can attract a larger, more competitive applicant pool.
Reflects legislative prioritization. of criminal justice and public defense infrastructure by allocating increased state resources to support those who uphold these essential legal functions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Boost Loan Forgiveness for Lawyers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Print number 6731a
- Amend and recommit to higher education
- Referred to higher education
- 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.
Boost Loan Forgiveness for Lawyers
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
6731--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 15, 2017
Introduced by Sens. LANZA, HAMILTON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules -- recommitted to the Committee on Higher Education in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
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 a of subdivision 3 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:
a. An eligible attorney may apply for reimbursement after the completion of each year of qualified service provided however that reimbursement to each eligible attorney shall not exceed [three thousand four hundred] five thousand five hundred dollars, per qualifying year, subject to appropriations available therefor. The president may establish: (i) an application deadline and (ii) a method of selecting recipients if in any given year there are insufficient funds to cover the needs of all the applicants. Awards shall be within the amounts appropriated for such purpose and based on availability of funds.
§ 2. This act shall take effect April 1, 2019.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10489-02-8
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 increase loan forgiveness for attorneys performing legal services for indigent clients
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends paragraph a of subdivision 3 of section 679-e of the education law, as amended by section 1 of part VV of chapter 56 of the laws of 2009 to increase the maximum annual amount to $5,500.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Difference between original and amended version (if applicable)
N/A
Justification
The loan forgiveness program for district attorneys 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 to have a career in public service. The proposed increase in the loan forgiveness annual amount will help insure that the program provides meaningful relief to these attorneys in public service.
Prior legislative history
2017: S.6731 - Referred to Rules
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect April 1, 2019.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.