2025-2026 session: change session
Education bills
Bills on K-12 schools, school aid, charter schools, SUNY and CUNY, financial aid, libraries and New York City schools. They are heard in the Education, Higher Education and Libraries committees in each house.
Highest impact
Impact is how much a bill would change if enacted, from 1 (minimal) to 10 (transformational). Passage is our estimate of the chance it becomes law this session. How we score
Make CUNY Free Again
The New Deal for CUNY Act makes CUNY tuition-free for in-state undergraduates, mandates increased staffing for faculty, advisors, and mental health services, and improves pay for adjunct faculty.
Impact 9 · Transformational·35% to pass
Impact9/10TransformationalPassage35%Make CUNY Free Again
The bill, "The New Deal for CUNY," restores free tuition at CUNY, mandates increased faculty and student support staffing, and enhances funding and maintenance requirements.
Impact 9 · Transformational·34% to pass
Impact9/10TransformationalPassage34%Free SUNY Tuition for Students
This bill creates a program making tuition free for eligible in-state students at SUNY and community colleges, funded through a new state university tuition fund.
Impact 9 · Transformational·27% to pass
Impact9/10TransformationalPassage27%Free College Tuition Statewide
This bill creates a "Tuition-Free NY" program allowing eligible New York residents to attend SUNY, CUNY, and community colleges tuition-free in exchange for a post-graduation residency requirement.
Impact 9 · Transformational·27% to pass
Impact9/10TransformationalPassage27%Free SUNY Tuition for All
This bill establishes free tuition and fee waivers for eligible in-state students attending SUNY and community colleges, funded by a new state university tuition fund.
Impact 9 · Transformational·26% to pass
Impact9/10TransformationalPassage26%Free College for New Yorkers
This bill creates a "Tuition-Free NY" program providing free tuition at public colleges for New York residents who meet specific requirements, including post-graduation residency.
Impact 9 · Transformational·24% to pass
Impact9/10TransformationalPassage24%- S4171Senate
Merge School Districts by County
This bill directs New York to consolidate school districts to one per county, exempting New York City, and repeals related laws.
Impact 9 · Transformational·0% to pass
Impact9/10TransformationalPassage0% Create Dyslexia Support Center
This bill creates a Center for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia within the New York State Education Department to set standards, provide resources, and guide schools in supporting students with these…
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawIncrease Rochester School Renovation Funding
This bill increases the funding cap for Rochester's school facilities modernization program from $475 million to $600 million and extends the program to 2033.
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawExpand Dental Hygienist Authority
This bill allows registered dental hygienists in New York to work independently under collaborative agreements with dentists in certain authorized settings.
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into law
Most likely to pass
Bills not yet signed or vetoed, by Passage score.
Add Staff to College Boards
This bill adds a non-voting faculty or staff representative to the board of trustees of New York community colleges.
Impact 4 · Low·51% to pass
Impact4/10LowPassage51%Allow Psychologist License Portability
This bill enacts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, allowing licensed psychologists to provide telepsychology and temporary in-person services across state lines.
Impact 8 · Significant·48% to pass
Impact8/10SignificantPassage48%Require Narcan in Schools
This bill requires schools and public libraries in New York to provide and maintain opioid overdose antidotes, with free supply available from the Department of Health.
Impact 7 · Significant·48% to pass
Impact7/10SignificantPassage48%Extend SUNY Funding Rules
This bill extends certain laws supporting SUNY and CUNY facilities and procurement from 2026 to 2031.
Impact 4 · Low·48% to pass
Impact4/10LowPassage48%Allow Vestal Schools Insurance Fund
This bill allows the Vestal Central School District to create and use an insurance reserve fund.
Impact 3 · Low·47% to pass
Impact3/10LowPassage47%End Grad Student Fees
This bill phases out most mandatory university fees for graduate student workers at SUNY and CUNY by 2027, except student activity fees.
Impact 6 · Moderate·46% to pass
Impact6/10ModeratePassage46%Protect School Library Books
The "Freedom to Read Act" requires New York school districts to create transparent policies for challenging library materials and protects against removing books based on viewpoints or identities.
Impact 7 · Significant·45% to pass
Impact7/10SignificantPassage45%Require Opioid Overdose Kits in Schools
This bill requires, rather than permits, schools and public libraries in New York to provide and maintain opioid overdose prevention medication on-site.
Impact 7 · Significant·45% to pass
Impact7/10SignificantPassage45%
Recently signed or vetoed
Extend School Energy Savings Period
This bill extends the maximum term for guaranteed recovery of school district energy contract costs from 18 to 25 years.
Impact 4 · Low·Signed into law
Impact4/10LowOutcomeSigned into lawClarify Nurse Practitioner Roles
This bill updates various laws to clarify that nurse practitioners have the same authority as physicians for certain evaluations, certifications, and authorizations, consistent with their current…
Impact 4 · Low·Signed into law
Impact4/10LowOutcomeSigned into lawExtend Physical Therapy Assistant Law
This bill extends the law allowing physical therapy assistants in New York State until June 30, 2030.
Impact 3 · Low·Signed into law
Impact3/10LowOutcomeSigned into lawExtend Preschool Special Ed Services
This bill extends the expiration date of provisions relating to certified school psychologists and preschool special education from 2026 to 2028.
Impact 4 · Low·Signed into law
Impact4/10LowOutcomeSigned into lawAllow Out-of-State Medical Help
This bill allows out-of-state licensed health professionals to practice in New York for the 2026 Ironman Lake Placid event.
Impact 3 · Low·Signed into law
Impact3/10LowOutcomeSigned into lawExtend Tuition Waivers for Firefighters
This bill extends tuition waivers for certain firefighters and fire officers at CUNY until 2028.
Impact 4 · Low·Signed into law
Impact4/10LowOutcomeSigned into lawExtend SUNY Facilities Funding
This bill extends certain SUNY and CUNY facility and procurement laws from 2026 to 2031.
Impact 4 · Low·Signed into law
Impact4/10LowOutcomeSigned into lawAllow Out-of-State Medical Staff
This bill allows paramedics licensed in other states to treat athletes at New York Road Runners events.
Impact 4 · Low·Signed into law
Impact4/10LowOutcomeSigned into law