What's happening
This bill prohibits educational institutions from denying admission solely based on previous incarceration, except for violent or felony sex offenses.
Why it matters
Expands educational access for formerly incarcerated individuals. by making it illegal for schools to deny admission solely due to most types of prior incarceration, potentially increasing opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Targets systemic barriers. that contribute to cycles of poverty and recidivism, as access to education is a key factor in reducing re-offense rates and improving long-term outcomes for people with criminal records.
Balances public safety concerns. by maintaining exceptions for those previously incarcerated for violent felony or felony sex offenses, reflecting an attempt to protect campus communities while supporting broader reentry efforts.
Signals a shift in policy toward “second chances,”. challenging stigma around criminal records and encouraging institutions to evaluate applicants more holistically rather than relying on blanket exclusions.
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Who cares
Applicants with prior incarceration
The bill would make denying admission solely because of prior incarceration an unfair educational practice, except for incarceration resulting from specified violent felony or felony sex offenses.
Educational institutions and admissions offices
They would need to ensure admissions decisions do not rely solely on prior incarceration outside the bill’s exceptions.
Applicants incarcerated for violent felony or felony sex offenses
The bill would exclude incarceration resulting from offenses defined in Penal Law sections 70.02 and 70.80 from its new protection.
Headline styles
End College Bias for Ex-Inmates
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
11 Co-sponsors
4 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2990
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 28, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ZEBROWSKI, BLAKE, BARRON, GOTTFRIED, O'DONNELL, M. G. MILLER, ORTIZ, STECK, PICHARDO, COOK, JAFFEE, JOYNER -- Multi- Sponsored by -- M. of A. CRESPO, HEVESI, SIMON, SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to expanding the definition of unfair educational practices
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 313 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph (f) to read as follows:
(f) To deny a person admittance to an educational institution based solely on a previous incarceration, with the exception of incarceration as a result of a violent felony offense as defined in section 70.02 of the penal law or a felony sex offense as defined in section 70.80 of the penal law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01580-01-9
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.