What's happening
This bill prohibits public schools in New York City from being in session on the day of a primary or general election.
Why it matters
Increased Access to Polling Sites. By closing public schools in New York City on primary and general election days, this bill would free up these frequently used sites for voting, potentially reducing overcrowding and logistical issues for voters.
Enhanced Student and Staff Safety. Eliminating regular school sessions during elections could improve safety by limiting the interaction between students and the general public coming into school buildings to vote, addressing security and supervision concerns.
Adjustment to Academic Calendar. This change may require NYC schools to adjust their academic calendars, potentially rescheduling instruction or adding makeup days, which could affect childcare arrangements and planning for families and staff.
Potential to Boost Civic Engagement. By making Election Day a non-instructional day, there may be increased opportunities for students, staff, and families to participate in the democratic process, either by voting themselves (for eligible individuals) or engaging in election-related civic activities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
No School on Election Days
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 23
3 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to 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.
No School on Election Days
In Senate Committee · New York City Education · Sponsor Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1343
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 15, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PHEFFER AMATO, COLTON, COOK, CRESPO -- Multi- Sponsored by -- M. of A. ABBATE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to school session days
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 8 of section 3604 of the education law, as amended by chapter 260 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
8. No school shall be in session on a Saturday or a legal holiday, except general election day, Washington's birthday and Lincoln's birthday, and except that driver education classes may be conducted on a Saturday. No school located in a city with a population of one million or more shall be in session on the day of a primary election or general election. A deficiency not exceeding four days during any school year caused by teachers' attendance upon conferences held by superintendents of schools of city school districts or other school districts employing superintendents of schools shall be excused by the commissioner, notwithstanding any provision of law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a school district may elect to schedule such conference days in the last two weeks of August, subject to collective bargaining requirements pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law, and such days shall be counted towards the required one hundred eighty days of session, provided however, that such scheduling shall not alter the obligation of the school district to provide transportation to students in non-public elementary and secondary schools or charter schools. The commissioner shall excuse a deficiency not exceeding four days during such school year caused by teachers' attendance upon conferences held by such superintendents, provided that at least two such conference days during such school year shall be dedicated to staff attendance upon conferences providing staff development relating to implementation of
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03741-01-9
A. 1343 2
the new high learning standards and assessments, as adopted by the board of regents. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule or regulation to the contrary, school districts may elect to use one or more of such allowable conference days in units of not less than one hour each to provide staff development activities relating to implementation of the new high learning standards and assessments. A district making such election may provide such staff development during the regularly scheduled daily session and apply such units to satisfy a deficiency in the length of one or more daily sessions of instruction for pupils as specified in regulations of the commissioner. The commissioner shall assure that such conference days include appropriate school violence prevention and intervention training, and may require that up to one such conference day be dedicated for such purpose.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.