What's happening
This bill requires all New York public high schools to recognize students who voluntarily complete at least ten hours of community service per semester.
Why it matters
Encourages civic engagement among high school students. by formally recognizing those who volunteer, potentially fostering lifelong habits of community involvement.
Empowers local school boards. to design their own recognition policies, which could lead to creative and diverse ways of honoring student volunteers based on community needs and values.
May boost students’ college and job applications. by providing official acknowledgment of community service, helping them stand out in competitive admissions or hiring processes.
Could increase student participation in local nonprofit, civic, or charitable activities. , strengthening ties between schools and their surrounding communities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Recognize Student Community Service
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1268
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 11, 2019
Introduced by Sen. FUNKE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring all public high schools to recognize students who voluntarily participate in community service
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 817 to read as follows:
§ 817. Community service. All public high schools shall, through their local school boards, create a policy to recognize students who voluntarily participate in at least ten hours of community service per semester.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07117-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring all public high schools to recognize students who voluntarily participate in commu- nity service
Purpose
Requires all public high schools to create a policy to recognize students who voluntarily participate in community service
Summary of provisions
Section one amends the education law by adding a new section 817
Section two contains the effective date
Justification
Recognizing and encouraging students who volunteer in their communities is important not only in creating well rounded students but also because it enhances local service projects. All School Districts should develop a program to recognize those students who go above and beyond in serving their communities. This is not meant to be for students who simply fulfill a requirement, it is meant to set a higher bar. In this "me" culture, it is vital that those who do good for others are acknowledged for their contributions. Some school districts in New York State already have policies recognizing student volunteerism, but for those who do not, this would require them to decide for themselves exactly how they would like to honor these students' accomplishments and efforts.
Legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
None
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.