What's happening
This bill requires a joint report from the state board of elections and education department on the safety of schools used as polling places.
Why it matters
Focuses on school safety during elections. By requiring an official review, the bill acknowledges concerns about exposing students and staff to potential risks when schools serve as public polling places, prompting assessment of current security protocols.
Could lead to policy changes. The joint report must include recommendations and potential regulatory or legislative proposals, which may result in new laws or rules affecting how schools handle election days—possibly changing access, scheduling, or security requirements.
Involves broad data collection. The bill empowers the state board of elections and the education department to obtain information from any government entity, signaling a comprehensive approach that could surface overlooked vulnerabilities or best practices across different regions.
Connects education and election oversight. By mandating collaboration between the two departments, the bill highlights the intersection of civic participation and educational settings, potentially shaping broader discussions about the use of public facilities for democratic processes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Review School Polling Safety
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 4
1 Co-sponsor
History
- 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.
Protect Schools on Election Day
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9161
IN SENATE
September 7, 2018
Introduced by Sen. BOYLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT requiring a joint report by the state board of elections and state education department concerning the safety of students and staff at schools used as polling places for elections
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The state board of elections and the state education department shall jointly examine, evaluate and make recommendations concerning the safety of students and staff at schools used as polling places for elections.
§ 2. The state board of elections and/or the state education department may request and shall receive from any subdivision, department, board, bureau, commission, office, agency or other instrumentality of the state or of any political subdivision thereof such assistance and data as it deems necessary or desirable to effectuate the purposes set forth in this act.
§ 3. Within six months of the effective date of this act, the state board of elections and the state education department shall submit a joint report of their findings, conclusions and recommendations to the governor and the legislature, and shall submit with such report such regulatory and legislative proposals as they deem necessary to implement their recommendations.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03363-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act requiring a joint report by the state board of elections and state education department concerning the safety of students and staff at schools used as polling places for elections
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would direct the State Board of Elections and the State Educa- tion Department to jointly examine, evaluate, and make recommendations concerning the safety of students and staff at schools used as polling places for elections.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. The State Board of Elections and the State Education Depart- ment shall jointly examine, evaluate and make recommendations concerning the safety of students and staff at schools used as polling places for elections.
Section 2. The State Board of Elections and/or the State Education Department may request and shall receive from any subdivision, depart- ment, board, bureau, commission, office, agency or other instrumentality of the state or of any political subdivision thereof such assistance and data as it deems necessary or desirable to effectuate the purposes set forth in this act.
Section 3. Within six months of the effective date of this act, the State Board of Elections and the State Education Department shall submit a joint report of their findings, conclusions and recommendations to the governor and the legislature, and shall submit with such report such regulatory and legislative proposals as they deem necessary to implement their recommendations.
Section 4, Effective Date.
Justification
Many schools serve as Election Day polling places. However, there exists a reasonable expectation for maintaining the safety and security of students and school staff, as well as the community members using the schools on election day. Therefore, it is necessary and proper for the Board of Elections and Department of Education to jointly consider the safety implications that arise from schools serving as polling places. If it is found that schools serving as polling places pose a serious risk to security, this study will provide for the Board of Elections and the Department of Education to make recommendations of feasible alterna- tives for polling places.
Prior legislative history
2013-14 A6774 referred to election law 2015-16 A2488 referred to election law
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Minimal.
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.