What's happening
This bill authorizes a study and reporting on Holocaust education in New York schools and directs regulations to ensure such instruction is provided.
Why it matters
Assesses the Current State of Holocaust Education. By requiring a statewide study, the bill seeks to identify which school districts currently provide instruction on the Holocaust, potentially highlighting gaps or inconsistencies in education.
Promotes Accountability and Transparency. The mandated report to state leaders ensures that findings and recommendations will be made public, increasing accountability for how Holocaust education is implemented across New York schools.
Drives Concrete Action through Regulation. By directing the Commissioner of Education to create regulations, the bill aims to standardize and enforce Holocaust education, ensuring that all students receive instruction on this historical topic, not just those in certain districts.
May Influence Curriculum and Teacher Training. The focus on compliance with existing education law could lead to adjustments in curriculum development and professional development for teachers, affecting how history and social studies are taught statewide.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Study Holocaust Education Statewide
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 7
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to 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.
Study Holocaust Education in Schools
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Nily Rozic
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2963
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 31, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAPLAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT in relation to authorizing the commissioner of education to conduct a study regarding courses of study on the Holocaust within the state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of education is authorized and directed to conduct a study regarding courses of study on the Holocaust within the state. Such study shall focus on identifying which school districts subject to section eight hundred one of the education law offer a course of information on the Holocaust.
§ 2. A report of the findings of such study and recommendations of the commissioner of education shall be delivered to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the senate and the minority leader of the assembly the first of January following the effective date of this act.
§ 3. The commissioner of education shall promulgate regulations to ensure instruction on the Holocaust is provided at all schools in compliance with section eight hundred one of the education law.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01155-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act in relation to authorizing the commissioner of education to conduct a study regarding courses of study on the Holocaust within the state
Purpose
To require the commissioner of education to submit a report to the governor and legislature regarding compliance with the requirement to provide a course of study on the holocaust and to authorize the commis- sioner to promulgate regulations to ensure school districts are provid- ing such instruction.
Summary of provisions
Section I authorizes the commissioner of education to conduct a study to determine which school districts are offering instruction on the holo- caust in compliance with section 801 of the education law.
Sections II provides that commissioner shall provide a report on the findings of such study by the first of January after this act has become law.
Section III directs the commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations ensuring school districts are offering instruction on the holocaust in compliance with section 801 of the education law
Section IV sets forth the effective date.
Justification
It is not lost on us that the horrors of the Holocaust are not forgotten with this year's International Holocaust Remembrance Day marking only 72 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Every moment we have to honor the innocent lives lost at the hands of state-sponsored perse- cution and murder is a step forward in condemning hate and violence rooted in intolerance and oppression. Not only is it our societal responsibility to commemorate the lives lost, we must continue making conscious efforts to educate future generations on how important human rights declarations are in the prevention of genocide.
Recent news stories have featured a controversial high school assignment in which students were instructed to provide their "Nazi point of view" in support of the Holocaust. This troubling assignment comes amidst a rise of anti-Semitic vandalism and threats of violence against our communities. Passage of this legislation would ensure that all of our children are accurately taught about this moment in history so that we can truly live up to our pledge of never again.
Legislative history
2018: A8527/S. 5530 Passed Senate
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.