What's happening
This bill allows active volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to audit college courses tuition-free and potentially receive course credit.
Why it matters
Expands educational benefits for volunteer first responders. , potentially increasing the appeal and retention of these critical community roles by offering them tangible rewards beyond traditional stipends or recognition.
Gives volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers access to college-level learning and credentials. without financial burden, which could help them gain new skills, advance careers, or pursue new fields—especially valuable for those considering transitions into emergency services or other professions.
Allows for the possibility of earning course credit for audited classes. if the volunteer later enrolls as a student, increasing flexibility and reducing the time and cost required to complete a degree.
May encourage stronger ties between local emergency services and higher education institutions. , fostering collaboration, mutual understanding, and possibly inspiring curriculum development relevant to public service and emergency response.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free College for Volunteers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher 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.
Free College for Volunteers
In Senate Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Robert Ortt
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3515
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 29, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, NORRIS, ASHBY -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. WALSH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to extending certain benefits to active volunteer firefighters and active volunteer ambulance workers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph 1 of paragraph h of subdivision 2 of section 355 of the education law, as separately amended by chapters 552 and 616 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other general, special or local law, rule or regulation, such regulations may permit persons sixty years of age or over, or residents who serve as active volunteer firefighters as defined in subdivision one of section two hundred fifteen of the general municipal law, or as active volunteer ambulance workers as defined in subdivision fourteen of section two hundred nineteen-k of the general municipal law to audit courses given therein without tuition, examination, grading or credit therefor upon a space available basis, as determined by the president of each such institution, provided that such audit attendance does not deny course attendance at a state-operated institution by an individual who is otherwise qualified under the regulations promulgated pursuant to this section. The board of trustees of the state university may prescribe regulations to authorize the granting of course credit for successful completion of an audited course by an active volunteer firefighter or an active volunteer ambulance worker. Pursuant to such regulations, each such institution may, as determined by its president, award credit for successful completion of such an audited course by an active volunteer firefighter or an active volunteer ambulance worker that is currently enrolled as a full-time or part-time
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02268-01-9
A. 3515 2
student in such institution or that later becomes enrolled as a fulltime or part-time student in such institution.
§ 2. Subdivision 5 of section 6303 of the education law, as amended by chapter 552 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as follows:
5. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other general, special or local law, rule or regulation, community colleges may permit persons sixty years of age or over, or residents who serve as active volunteer firefighters as defined in subdivision one of section two hundred fifteen of the general municipal law, or as active volunteer ambulance workers as defined in subdivision fourteen of section two hundred nineteen-k of the general municipal law to audit courses given therein without tuition, examination, grading or credit therefor upon a space available basis, subject to the provisions of section sixty-three hundred four of this [chapter] article, as determined by the president of each such institution, provided that such audit attendance does not deny course attendance at a community college by an individual who is otherwise qualified under the regulations and the provisions of section sixty-three hundred four of this [chapter] article. The board of trustees of the state university may prescribe regulations to authorize the granting of course credit for successful completion of an audited course by an active volunteer firefighter or an active volunteer ambulance worker. Pursuant to such regulations, each such institution may, as determined by its president, award credit for successful completion of such an audited course by an active volunteer firefighter or an active volunteer ambulance worker that is currently enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in such institution or that later becomes enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in such institution. The provisions of this paragraph shall not affect any state aid to community colleges granted pursuant to this article [one hundred twenty-six of this chapter].
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
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.