What's happening
This bill requires SUNY to offer academic credit programs for student volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers through service learning, internships, or independent study.
Why it matters
Encourages civic engagement among students. by formally recognizing and rewarding volunteer firefighting and ambulance work with academic credit, potentially increasing student participation in vital emergency services.
Creates a structured academic pathway. for student volunteers, combining hands-on community service (minimum 20 verified hours) with reflective or analytical academic work, ensuring that practical experience is integrated with educational outcomes.
Limits the number of credits that can be earned. (maximum of six), which helps maintain academic standards while still acknowledging substantial service commitments.
Allows flexibility and local input. by letting each SUNY institution decide whether to offer these programs and by inviting consultation with fire and ambulance service organizations, which can help tailor programs to meet both educational and community needs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Credit for Student First Responders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-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.
Credit for Student Volunteers
In Senate Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Rich Funke
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4523
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to certain service learning, internship, or independent study programs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 355 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 20 to read as follows:
20. The state university trustees shall adopt regulations to establish a service learning, internship, or independent study program for students that serve as active volunteer firefighters and/or active volunteer ambulance workers. Each state-operated institution and community college may, as determined by its president, offer such a service learning, internship, or independent study program to eligible students in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the state university trustees. Such program shall consist of (a) a community service component that may be completed through no less than twenty hours of verifiable volunteer firefighting activities, volunteer ambulance or emergency response activities, or other activities related to volunteer fire or ambulance service as determined by the state university trustees, and (b) an academic component related to such volunteer activity that may be completed through a written report or journal, or other written assignment as determined by the state university trustees. Such program shall be open to any student enrolled in an associate or baccalaureate degree-producing program on a full-time or part-time basis that is an active volunteer firefighter as defined in subdivision one of section two hundred fifteen of the general municipal law or an active volunteer ambulance worker as defined in subdivision fourteen of section two hundred nineteen-k of the general municipal law. No more than six academic credits shall be awarded to a student for successful completion of such service learning, internship or independent study program. In
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07095-01-9
A. 4523 2
developing the service learning, internship or independent study program described in this subdivision, the state university trustees may, in its discretion, consult with the office of fire prevention and control and/or any statewide organization that represents the interests of the volunteer fire service or the volunteer ambulance service.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the state university trustees are authorized and directed to add, amend and/or repeal any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date.
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.