S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9443
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 27, 2022
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism,
   Parks and Recreation
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to allocating the Amistad
   commission in the  department  of  education,  and  repealing  certain
   provisions  of the arts and cultural affairs law relating to the Amis-
   tad commission

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Article  57-B  of  the  arts  and cultural affairs law is
 REPEALED.
   § 2. The education law is amended by adding a new article 25  to  read
 as follows:
                                ARTICLE 25
                          THE AMISTAD COMMISSION
 SECTION 1301. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.
         1302. DEFINITIONS
         1303. COMMISSION ESTABLISHED.
         1304. COMMISSION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
         1305. CURRICULUM.
         1306. AUTHORIZATION.
   § 1301. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. THE LEGISLATURE FINDS AND DECLARES THAT:
   1.  DURING  THE PERIOD BEGINNING LATE IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY THROUGH
 THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, MILLIONS  OF  PERSONS  OF  AFRICAN  ORIGIN  WERE
 ENSLAVED  AND  BROUGHT  TO  THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, INCLUDING THE UNITED
 STATES OF AMERICA; ANYWHERE FROM BETWEEN  TWENTY  TO  FIFTY  PERCENT  OF
 ENSLAVED  AFRICANS  DIED DURING THEIR JOURNEY TO THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE;
 THE ENSLAVEMENT  OF  AFRICANS  AND  THEIR  DESCENDANTS  WAS  PART  OF  A
 CONCERTED  EFFORT  OF PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TERRORISM THAT DEPRIVED
 GROUPS OF PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESERVE MANY  OF
 THEIR  SOCIAL,  RELIGIOUS,  POLITICAL AND OTHER CUSTOMS; THE VESTIGES OF
 SLAVERY IN THIS COUNTRY CONTINUED WITH THE LEGALIZATION OF SECOND  CLASS
 CITIZENSHIP  STATUS  FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS THROUGH JIM CROW LAWS, SEGRE-
 GATION AND OTHER SIMILAR PRACTICES; THE LEGACY OF SLAVERY  HAS  PERVADED
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD13314-02-2
 S. 9443                             2
 
 THE  FABRIC  OF  OUR  SOCIETY;  AND  IN  SPITE OF THESE EVENTS THERE ARE
 ENDLESS EXAMPLES OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE  HISTORY  OF  AFRICANS  ON  THE
 ECONOMIC,  CULTURAL,  POLITICAL  AND  SOCIAL  FOUNDATION  OF  THE UNITED
 STATES, THE AMERICAS AND THE ECONOMIES, POLITICS AND SOCIETIES OF EUROPE
 AND  BEYOND  AND  THE  ENDURING  LEGACY OF CHATTEL SLAVERY IN THE UNITED
 STATES AND THE AMERICAS, INCLUDING THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCT OF RACE, INEQUI-
 TY AND  INJUSTICE  STEMMING  FROM  RACISM,  PERSEVERANCE,  ACTIVISM  AND
 SIGNIFICANT  CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ENSLAVED, THEIR DESCENDANTS AND STAKE-
 HOLDERS, THROUGHOUT HISTORY.
   2. ALL PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW OF AND REMEMBER THE HUMAN CARNAGE AND  DEHU-
 MANIZING  ATROCITIES  COMMITTED  DURING  THE PERIOD OF THE AFRICAN SLAVE
 TRADE AND SLAVERY IN AMERICA AND OF THE  VESTIGES  OF  SLAVERY  IN  THIS
 COUNTRY;  AND  IT  IS  IN  FACT  VITAL  TO EDUCATE OUR CITIZENS ON THESE
 EVENTS, THE LEGACY OF SLAVERY, THE SAD HISTORY OF RACISM IN  THIS  COUN-
 TRY,  AND  ON  THE PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY IN A CIVILIZED
 SOCIETY.
   3. IT IS THE POLICY OF THE STATE  OF  NEW  YORK  THAT  BLACK  HISTORY,
 INCLUDING  THE  HISTORY  OF  AFRICA, THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE, THE
 AFRICAN DIASPORA, CHATTEL SLAVERY, THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE,  SLAVERY  IN
 AMERICA, THE LEGACY OF SLAVERY ON OUR SOCIETY, THE DEPTH OF THEIR IMPACT
 IN  OUR  SOCIETY, AND THE TRIUMPHS OF AFRICANS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS AND
 THEIR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF  THIS  COUNTRY  IS
 THE  PROPER CONCERN OF ALL PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE
 SCHOOLS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
   4. THERE IS A NEED FOR EDUCATION REFORM FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH COLLEGE
 IN ORDER TO MITIGATE THE DEVASTATING EFFECT OF RACISM IN  EDUCATION  AND
 THE COMPLETE MISEDUCATION OF OUR POPULATION AROUND BLACK HISTORY.
   5. IT IS THEREFORE DESIRABLE TO CREATE A STATE-LEVEL COMMISSION, WHICH
 SHALL  OVERSEE  THE BUDGET AND OPERATION OF THE AMISTAD COMMISSION AS IT
 SEEKS TO PROVIDE THE STUDENTS OF NEW YORK WITH A   MORE ADEQUATE  INCLU-
 SION  OF  THE  HISTORY OF AFRICA, CHATTEL SLAVERY, THE AFRICAN DIASPORA,
 THE LEGACY OF SLAVERY AND  THE  CONTRIBUTIONS  OF  AFRICAN-AMERICANS  IN
 BUILDING OUR COUNTRY.
   § 1302. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE:
   1. "COMMISSION" SHALL MEAN THE AMISTAD COMMISSION.
   2.  "AFRICAN-AMERICAN" SHALL MEAN ALL PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT IN THE
 UNITED STATES.
   3. "DEPARTMENT" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN
 SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
   4. "COMMISSIONER" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS SUCH TERM IS  DEFINED
 IN SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
   § 1303. COMMISSION ESTABLISHED. 1. THE AMISTAD COMMISSION, SO NAMED IN
 HONOR  OF THE GROUP OF ENSLAVED AFRICANS LED BY JOSEPH CINQUE WHO, WHILE
 BEING TRANSPORTED IN EIGHTEEN HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE ON A VESSEL NAMED  THE
 AMISTAD, GAINED THEIR FREEDOM AFTER OVERTHROWING THE CREW AND EVENTUALLY
 HAVING  THEIR  CASE SUCCESSFULLY ARGUED BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SUPREME
 COURT, IS HEREBY CREATED AND ESTABLISHED. THE COMMISSION  SHALL  CONSIST
 OF TWENTY MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION OR HIS OR HER
 DESIGNEE,  THE  TEMPORARY  PRESIDENT  OF  THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE
 ASSEMBLY, THE CHANCELLOR OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK OR  HIS  OR
 HER  DESIGNEE,  SERVING  EX OFFICIO, AND SIXTEEN PUBLIC MEMBERS.  PUBLIC
 MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED AS FOLLOWS: THE PUBLIC MEMBERS SHALL BE RESI-
 DENTS OF THE STATE, CHOSEN WITH DUE REGARD TO BROAD GEOGRAPHIC REPRESEN-
 TATION AND RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY, WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HISTO-
 RY OF ANCIENT AFRICA, THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE  TRADE,  SLAVERY  IN  THE
 AMERICAS,  THE  AFRICAN  DIASPORA, THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, EXPERIENCES, AND
 S. 9443                             3
 
 CONTRIBUTIONS OF PEOPLE OF AFRICAN  DESCENT  TO  OUR  SOCIETY,  AND  THE
 ENDURING LEGACY OF SLAVERY.
   2.  THE  COMMISSIONER  OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE SHALL RESIDE AS A VOTING
 MEMBER.  THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE
 ASSEMBLY  SHALL  SERVE  AS  VOTING  MEMBERS FOR THE TWO-YEAR LEGISLATIVE
 TERM. ALL PUBLIC MEMBERS SHALL SERVE AS VOTING MEMBERS.
   3. THE COMMISSION SHALL BE ALLOCATED IN BUT NOT OF THE DEPARTMENT, BUT
 NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ALLOCATION, THE COMMISSION SHALL BE INDEPENDENT  OF
 ANY  SUPERVISION  OR  CONTROL  BY THE DEPARTMENT OR ANY BOARD OR OFFICER
 THEREOF.
   4. EACH PUBLIC MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION SHALL  SERVE  FOR  A  TERM  OF
 THREE  YEARS.  PUBLIC  MEMBERS SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT. THEY
 SHALL SERVE UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE APPOINTED AND QUALIFIED, AND  THE
 TERM  OF  THE  SUCCESSOR  OF  ANY INCUMBENT SHALL BE CALCULATED FROM THE
 EXPIRATION OF THE TERM OF THAT INCUMBENT. A VACANCY OCCURRING OTHER THAN
 BY EXPIRATION OF TERM SHALL BE FILLED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE ORIGINAL
 APPOINTMENT BUT FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM ONLY.
   5. THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION  BUT
 SHALL  BE  ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED
 IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.
   6. THE COMMISSION SHALL ANNUALLY ELECT A CHAIRPERSON AND A VICE-CHAIR-
 PERSON FROM AMONG ITS MEMBERS. THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET UPON  THE  CALL
 OF THE CHAIRPERSON OR OF A MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSION MEMBERS. THE PRES-
 ENCE OF A MAJORITY OF THE AUTHORIZED VOTING MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION
 SHALL BE REQUIRED FOR THE CONDUCT OF OFFICIAL BUSINESS.
   7.  THE  COMMISSION SHALL INTERVIEW AND APPOINT AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
 WHO SHALL SERVE AT ITS PLEASURE AND  SHALL  BE  A  PERSON  QUALIFIED  BY
 TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE. THE COMMIS-
 SION  SHALL  APPROVE  ALL  COMMISSION PERSONNEL JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND ALL
 PERSONS RECOMMENDED FOR EMPLOYMENT BY ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
   8. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND DATA  TO  THE
 COMMISSION  AS  MAY  BE  NECESSARY  FOR  THE COMMISSION TO CARRY OUT ITS
 RESPONSIBILITIES PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
   9. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR THE BUDGET FOR AN
 AMOUNT NOT LESS THAN ONE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS  DIRECTLY
 TO  THE  GOVERNOR ANNUALLY. THE LEGISLATURE SHALL APPROPRIATE SUFFICIENT
 FUNDING TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMISSION CARRIES OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
 ARTICLE.  ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OF SUCH FUNDING  SHALL  BE  ALLO-
 CATED  ANNUALLY  FOR  TRAVEL  EXPENSES,  INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED TO
 EXPENSES FOR OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS AND RETREATS.
   § 1304. COMMISSION DUTIES  AND  RESPONSIBILITIES.  1.  THE  COMMISSION
 SHALL:
   (A)  MARKET  AND  DISTRIBUTE  TO  EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND SCHOOL
 DISTRICTS IN THE STATE EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION AND  OTHER  MATERIALS  ON
 THE  HISTORY  OF ANCIENT AFRICA, THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE, SLAVERY
 IN THE AMERICAS, THE AFRICAN DIASPORA, THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, EXPERIENCES,
 AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT TO OUR SOCIETY,  AND  THE
 ENDURING LEGACY OF SLAVERY;
   (B) CONDUCT TEACHER WORKSHOPS ANNUALLY ON THE HISTORY OF ANCIENT AFRI-
 CA, THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE, SLAVERY IN THE AMERICAS, THE AFRICAN
 DIASPORA,  THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, EXPERIENCES, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF PEOPLE
 OF AFRICAN DESCENT TO OUR SOCIETY, AND THE ENDURING LEGACY OF SLAVERY;
   (C) MONITOR AND ASSESS THE INCLUSION OF SUCH MATERIALS  AND  CURRICULA
 IN THE STATE'S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM;
   (D)  SURVEY, CATALOG, AND RECOMMEND TO THE DEPARTMENT THE EXPANSION OF
 CONTENT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ANCIENT AFRICA,  THE  TRANS-ATLANTIC  SLAVE
 S. 9443                             4

 TRADE,  SLAVERY  IN  THE AMERICAS, THE AFRICAN DIASPORA, THE ACCOMPLISH-
 MENTS, EXPERIENCES, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF PEOPLE OF  AFRICAN  DESCENT  TO
 OUR  SOCIETY, AND THE ENDURING LEGACY OF SLAVERY TO BE INCORPORATED INTO
 THE LEARNING STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS AND TAUGHT IN
 THE STATE'S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM;
   (E)  SURVEY AND CATALOG THE EXTENT AND BREADTH OF EDUCATION CONCERNING
 AFRICA, THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE, THE  AFRICAN  DIASPORA,  CHATTEL
 SLAVERY,  THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE, SLAVERY IN AMERICA, AND THE LEGACY OF
 SLAVERY ON OUR SOCIETY PRESENTLY BEING INCORPORATED INTO  THE  CURRICULA
 AND  TEXTBOOKS  AND  TAUGHT  IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS OF THE STATE; AND, TO
 INVENTORY THOSE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE, AMERICAN SLAVERY, OR RELEVANT AFRI-
 CAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MEMORIALS, EXHIBITS AND RESOURCES WHICH  SHOULD  BE
 INCORPORATED  INTO  COURSES  OF  STUDY  AT  EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND
 SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE;
   (F) COMPILE A ROSTER OF  INDIVIDUAL  PROFESSIONALS,  CONSULTANTS,  AND
 EXPERTS WHO ARE WILLING TO CONTRACT TO SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERI-
 ENCE IN CLASSROOMS, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS WITH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ON
 THE SUBJECT OF AFRICA, THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE, THE AFRICAN DIAS-
 PORA,  CHATTEL SLAVERY, THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE, SLAVERY IN AMERICA, AND
 THE LEGACY OF SLAVERY ON OUR SOCIETY;
   (G) PREPARE REPORTS FOR THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE REGARDING ITS
 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON FACILITATING THE  INCLUSION  OF  AFRICA,
 THE  TRANS-ATLANTIC  SLAVE TRADE, THE AFRICAN DIASPORA, CHATTEL SLAVERY,
 THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE, SLAVERY IN AMERICA, AND THE LEGACY  OF  SLAVERY
 ON  OUR  SOCIETY  AND  SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF THE
 STATE; AND
   (H) INCREASE AWARENESS  AND  ENCOURAGE  SCHOOL  DISTRICTS  TO  UTILIZE
 CURRICULA ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY BY:
   (I)  PROVIDING  CURRICULUM  AND  PROFESSIONAL  DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT FOR
 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND/OR PUBLIC SCHOOLS  FOR  THE  ACQUISITION  OF
 SUCH CURRICULAR MATERIALS, GUIDES, TEXTS, AND COACHING SO AS TO INCREASE
 THE  EFFICACY  OF  TEACHING AND LEARNING OF SUCH KNOWLEDGE AND TO EFFECT
 ITS FULL INTEGRATION INTO THE CURRICULUM OF ALL SUCH PUBLIC SCHOOLS; AND
   (II) PRIORITIZE THE  HIRING,  CONTRACTING,  AND  PROCUREMENT  OF  SUCH
 SERVICES  AND  MATERIALS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE PROVISIONS OF PARA-
 GRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION FROM AMONG THE PROFESSIONALS, CONSULTANTS,
 AND EXPERTS WHO REPRESENT A BROAD ETHNIC  DIVERSITY  THAT  ALSO  HAVE  A
 DEMONSTRATED  LIFE  EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND IN THE HISTORY
 OF AFRICA, THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE, THE AFRICAN DIASPORA, CHATTEL
 SLAVERY, THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE, SLAVERY IN AMERICA, AND THE LEGACY  OF
 SLAVERY ON OUR SOCIETY.
   2.  MONETARY  INCENTIVES  SHALL BE APPROPRIATED FOR SCHOOLS TO UTILIZE
 EXISTING BUDGETS TO REPLACE OUTDATED MATERIALS  AND  TEACHING  METHODOL-
 OGIES.
   § 1305. CURRICULUM. 1. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE CURRICULUM, EDUCA-
 TIONAL  EXPERIENCES  THROUGH  PRIMARY  SOURCES  AND NARRATIVES, LEARNING
 MATERIALS, AND PERFORMANCE BASED AND PROJECT-BASED ASSESSMENTS  FOR  ALL
 GRADES INCLUDING PRESCHOOL THROUGH COLLEGE ABOUT:
   (A)  AFRICA,  THE AFRICAN DIASPORA, THE  AFRICAN  SLAVE TRADE, SLAVERY
 AND SEGREGATION IN AMERICA, THE IMPACT OF SLAVERY IN  OUR  SOCIETY,  THE
 TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE, THE LEGACY OF SLAVERY ON OUR SOCIETY AND THE
 INFLUENCE  OF  THE  HISTORY OF AFRICANS ON THE ECONOMIC, CULTURAL, POLI-
 TICAL AND SOCIAL FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES, THE AMERICAS  AND  THE
 ECONOMIES, POLITICS AND SOCIETIES OF EUROPE AND BEYOND;
   (B) THE INSTITUTION OF CHATTEL SLAVERY IN THE AMERICAS AND EUROPE; AND
 S. 9443                             5
 
   (C)  THE  ENDURING  LEGACY OF CHATTEL SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES AND
 THE AMERICAS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
   (I) THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCT OF RACE;
   (II) INEQUITY AND INJUSTICE STEMMING FROM RACISM; AND
   (III)  PERSEVERANCE, ACTIVISM AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ENSLAVED, THEIR
 DESCENDANTS AND STAKEHOLDERS, THROUGHOUT HISTORY.
   2. THE INSTRUCTION SHALL ALSO EMPHASIZE THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF
 EACH CITIZEN TO FIGHT RACISM AND HATRED WHENEVER AND WHEREVER IT HAPPENS
 AND TO UPHOLD THE NATIONAL IDEALS OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
   3. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL WORK WITH THE COMMISSION TO  ENSURE  THAT  ALL
 DEPARTMENT  ASSESSMENT  TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS WITHIN THE STATE ARE INCLUSIVE
 OF THE CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED, INCLUDING, BUT  NOT  LIMITED
 TO:
   (A)  INCLUSION IN THE DISTRICT COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PLAN AND SCHOOL
 COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PLAN; AND
   (B) INCLUSION IN DISTRICT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PLANS.
   § 1306. AUTHORIZATION. 1. THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED  TO  CALL  UPON
 ANY  DEPARTMENT, OFFICE, DIVISION OR AGENCY OF THE STATE, OR ANY COUNTY,
 MUNICIPALITY OR SCHOOL DISTRICT OF  THE  STATE,  TO  SUPPLY  SUCH  DATA,
 PROGRAM  REPORTS  AND  OTHER  INFORMATION,  AS  IT  DEEMS  NECESSARY  TO
 DISCHARGE ITS RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
   2. SUCH DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, DIVISIONS AND  AGENCIES  SHALL,  TO  THE
 EXTENT  POSSIBLE  AND NOT INCONSISTENT WITH ANY OTHER LAW OF THIS STATE,
 COOPERATE WITH THE COMMISSION AND SHALL FURNISH IT WITH SUCH INFORMATION
 AND ASSISTANCE AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR HELPFUL TO ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSES
 OF THIS ARTICLE.
   § 3. Section 801 of the education law  is  amended  by  adding  a  new
 subdivision 3-a to read as follows:
   3-A.  THE REGENTS SHALL PRESCRIBE COURSES OF INSTRUCTION IN ACCORDANCE
 WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION THIRTEEN HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER.
   SIMILAR COURSES OF INSTRUCTION SHALL BE PRESCRIBED AND  MAINTAINED  IN
 PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND OFFERED TO HOME SCHOOLS IN THE STATE, AND ALL PUPILS
 IN SUCH SCHOOLS IN GRADES OR CLASSES CORRESPONDING TO THE INSTRUCTION IN
 THE  EIGHTH  AND  HIGHER  GRADES OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHALL ATTEND UPON
 SUCH COURSES. IF SUCH COURSES ARE NOT SO ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED IN A
 PRIVATE SCHOOL, ATTENDANCE UPON INSTRUCTION IN SUCH SCHOOL SHALL NOT  BE
 DEEMED  SUBSTANTIALLY  EQUIVALENT  TO INSTRUCTION GIVEN TO PUPILS IN THE
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE CITY OR DISTRICT IN WHICH SUCH PUPILS RESIDE.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately, provided,  however,  that
 section  1305 of the education law, as added by section two of this act,
 and subdivision 3-a of section 801 of the education  law,  as  added  by
 section three of this act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.