What's happening
This bill requires SUNY institutions to offer academic credit programs for students serving as active volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers.
Why it matters
Recognizes and values emergency volunteer service. by allowing students who are active volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers to earn up to six academic credits, which can help legitimize and reward their community contributions in a tangible way.
May encourage more students to become or remain volunteer first responders. by providing an academic incentive, potentially helping address shortages of volunteers in fire and ambulance services across New York.
Integrates real-world community service with academic study. , requiring both hands-on service hours and a reflective or analytical academic component (like a report or journal), which could enhance students’ educational experience and civic engagement.
Gives SUNY campuses flexibility. in how they implement these programs, as participation is at the discretion of each institution’s president and program design can be tailored in consultation with fire and ambulance organizations, ensuring programs fit local and institutional needs.
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Who cares
Student volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers
Eligible full-time and part-time associate or bachelor’s degree students could earn up to six academic credits through a program combining at least 20 hours of verifiable service with related academic work.
SUNY trustees
The bill would require them to adopt regulations establishing the service learning, internship or independent study program.
Presidents of SUNY state-operated institutions and community colleges
They would decide whether their campuses offer the program under the trustees’ regulations.
Office of Fire Prevention and Control and statewide volunteer fire and ambulance organizations
The trustees could consult them when developing the program.
Headline styles
Credit for Student First Responders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 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.
Credits for Student First Responders
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Joe DeStefano
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
217
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. HELMING, RHOADS, TEDISCO -- 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 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 22 to read as follows:
22. 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00550-01-5
academic credits shall be awarded to a student for successful completion of such service learning, internship or independent study program. In 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 addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
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 certain service learn- ing, internship, or independent study programs
Purpose
To allow community colleges and State University of New York (SUNY) schools to implement programs that would provide academic credit for successful completion of a service learning, internship, or independent study program in relation to the volunteer fire service, as prescribed by regulations established by the state university trustees.
Summary of provisions
Sections 1: amends section 355 of the education law to direct the state university trustees to adopt regulations to establish a service learn- ing, internship, or independent study program for students that serve as active volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers.
Section 2: Establishes an effective date.
Justification
Colleges and universities often offer internships and independent study programs so students can earn academic credit while obtaining real-life work experience. Service-learning programs are an emerging and growing teaching method on college campuses and these programs are effective in combining academic learning and real-life experiences.
One of the most critical community services provided by New York resi- dents is volunteer fire protection and emergency services. Many younger individuals may be interested in volunteering for their local fire department or ambulance company but are discouraged from doing so due to the time demands of being a college student. This bill provides a common-sense approach to combining community service and academic learn- ing, which will lead to greater volunteerism and more well-rounded and experienced college students.
Under this legislation, the state university trustees will establish regulations that create guidelines for service learning, internship or independent study program for active volunteer firefighters and ambu- lance workers. Such programs must include a service and an academic requirement. Through involvement in the volunteer fire service, a student not only provides vital community services but can also learn a number of valuable principles in various academic areas. Some topics students will learn about in the volunteer fire service include not-for- profit corporation governance, municipal government, licensing and permitting, charitable giving, record keeping, compliance with safety and other laws, insurance, taxes, budgeting, and management.
This bill provides valuable skills and learning opportunities for students while encouraging more volunteerism to serve our communities. The skills and knowledge gained through the volunteer fire service are worthy of academic credit through properly developed and structured service learning, internship and independent study programs. This legis- lation allows SUNY schools and community colleges to recognize this by offering students the opportunity to participate in such programs, as prescribed by the state university trustees.
Legislative history
2023-2024: S.4461 referred to Higher Education
2021-2022: S.6369 referred to Higher Education
2019-2020: S1569 referred to Higher Education/A.4523 referred to Higher Education
2017-2018: S.1441 committed to Rules/A.5533 referred to Higher Education
2015-2016: S.3126 passed Senate/A.2896 referred to Education
2014: S.6678 passed Senate/A.8989 referred to Education
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law; provided however that, 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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.