What's happening
This bill allows active volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to audit SUNY and community college courses tuition-free, with potential for course credit.
Why it matters
Expands educational benefits. By including active volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, the bill recognizes and rewards their community service, making higher education more accessible to these groups beyond age-based waivers.
Potential pathway to credentials. The option to earn course credit for audited classes could allow volunteers to progress toward degrees or certifications, not just learn for personal enrichment, giving their volunteer work a tangible academic benefit.
Institutional flexibility and oversight. Each SUNY or community college president retains the authority to determine space availability and whether to award credit, ensuring that the program can be implemented without disrupting regular student enrollment or institutional priorities.
Support for recruitment and retention. The new incentives may help local fire departments and ambulance services attract and keep volunteers, addressing critical shortages in emergency response personnel by offering educational perks.
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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
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 Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
265
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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
S. 265 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to extending certain benefits to active volunteer firefighters and active volunteer ambulance workers
Purpose
To allow active volunteer firefighters and active volunteer ambulance workers to audit courses at the State University of New York (SUNY) and at community colleges on a tuition-free basis.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends section 355 of the education law to allow active volunteer firefighters and active volunteer ambulance workers to audit courses at SUNY schools without tuition, examination, grading or credit.
Section 2 of the bill amends section 6303 of the education law to allow active volunteer firefighters and active volunteer ambulance workers to audit courses at community colleges without tuition, examination, grad- ing or credit.
Section 3 of the bill is the effective date.
Justification
Under current law, persons that are 60 or older are permitted to audit courses at SUNY schools and community colleges without tuition, examina- tion, grading or credit. This benefit is available on a space available basis. This legislation simply extends this benefit to New York State residents that are active volunteer firefighters or active volunteer ambulance workers. This bill also authorizes the board of trustees of the state university to develop rules that would allow schools to award credit for such audited courses, if such a school desired to do so.
This legislation will provide a number of benefits to the volunteer fire service. First, it will serve as an incentive for current volunteers to continue their service. This is especially true for those who may be contemplating leaving the volunteer fire service to further their educa- tion for career purposes. Second, the bill will serve as an incentive for younger individuals to join their local volunteer fire department or ambulance company. By providing an opportunity for younger individuals to take a course at the local college, this bill will attract individ- uals who may not otherwise consider joining their local volunteer organ- izations. Third, this bill will also provide a meaningful higher educa- tion opportunity which could lead to pursuit of a degree. Ultimately, this bill will provide for a stronger volunteer fire service to protect our residents and communities.
Legislative history
S. 376 of 2017/2018 Passed Senate. S.6677/A.8990 (2013-14); Referred to Higher Education S. 3125 of 2015/2016; Passed Senate in 2016
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.