NY State Senate Bill 2023-S8517

Senate Bill S8517

2023-2024 Legislative Session

Relates to providing access to laptops for high school and higher education students and textbooks for higher education students

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Education Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Feb 08, 2024	referred to education

2023-S8517 (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A9629
Current Committee:: Senate Education
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §753, add Art 15-D §730, Ed L

2023-S8517 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Relates to providing access to laptops for high school and higher education students and textbooks for higher education students; provides access to laptops and textbooks without charge.

2023-S8517 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8517

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing access to
laptops for high school and higher education students and textbooks for
higher education students

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This legislation implements programs to provide high school, SUNY, CONY,
and eligible private college and university students with laptops free
of charge. SUNY, CUNY, and eligible private college and university
students shall receive textbooks vouchers to purchase necessary text-
books.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends Section 753 of the education law by adding a new subdi-
vision 6.

Section 2 amends the education law by adding a new article 15-D.

Section 3 provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The necessity for laptop access was proven during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Laptop access supports remote learning, ensuring educational continuity
during disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.  Providing access to
laptops for high school and higher education students fosters digital
literacy, which is essential in today's tech-driven world and prepares
students for future careers. Laptops enable students to access a vast
amount of information, enhancing their research skills and expanding
learning resources. Laptops facilitate collaborative projects and online
discussions, promoting teamwork and communication skills crucial for
higher education and the workplace.

In most cases, there are required texts for higher education courses.
While digital texts are becoming more readily available, some students
prefer traditional learning methods, and textbooks cater to various
learning styles, accommodating a diverse student population.  Textbooks
provide in-depth coverage of subjects, serving as comprehensive
resources for deeper understanding and mastery of academic content. They
serve as valuable reference materials, helping students revisit and
reinforce concepts studied in class. Textbooks often come with supple-
mentary materials like practice questions, case studies, and additional
resources that aid in a more holistic learning experience.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2023-S8517 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8517
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 8, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to  providing  access  to
   laptops  for  high  school and higher education students and textbooks
   for higher education students
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Section 753 of the education law is amended by adding a new
 subdivision 6 to read as follows:
   6.  BEGINNING IN THE TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE--TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX
 SCHOOL YEAR, WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR, EACH SCHOOL  DISTRICT
 IN  THE  STATE  SHALL IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE EACH STUDENT IN THE
 DISTRICT IN GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE A LAPTOP WITHOUT CHARGE.
   § 2. The education law is amended by adding a new article 15-D to read
 as follows:
                               ARTICLE 15-D
             ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION TEXTBOOKS AND LAPTOPS
 SECTION 730. ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION TEXTBOOKS AND LAPTOPS.
   § 730. ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION TEXTBOOKS AND LAPTOPS. 1. (A) BEGIN-
 NING IN THE TWO THOUSAND  TWENTY-FIVE--TWO  THOUSAND  TWENTY-SIX  SCHOOL
 YEAR,  WITHIN  AMOUNTS  APPROPRIATED  THEREFOR, EVERY INSTITUTION OF THE
 STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AND EVERY INSTITUTION OF THE CITY UNIVERSI-
 TY OF NEW YORK SHALL IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM  TO  PROVIDE  ANY  STUDENT  WHO
 ATTENDS SUCH INSTITUTION A LAPTOP WITHOUT CHARGE.
   (B) BEGINNING IN THE TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE--TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX
 SCHOOL  YEAR, WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATE THEREFOR, EVERY PRIVATE COLLEGE
 OR UNIVERSITY WITHIN THE STATE SHALL IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE  ANY
 QUALIFYING STUDENT WHO ATTENDS SUCH INSTITUTION A LAPTOP WITHOUT CHARGE.
 FOR  THE  PURPOSES  OF THIS PARAGRAPH, "QUALIFYING STUDENT" SHALL MEAN A
 STUDENT WHO PROVIDES SUCH PRIVATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY DOCUMENTATION OF
 FINANCIAL NEED BASED UPON INFORMATION PROVIDED ON  SUCH  STUDENT'S  FREE
 APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA).
   2.  (A)  BEGINNING IN THE TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE--TWO THOUSAND TWEN-
 TY-SIX SCHOOL YEAR, WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR, EVERY INSTITU-
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD14040-01-4
 S. 8517                             2
 
 TION OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, EVERY INSTITUTION OF THE  CITY
 UNIVERSITY  OF  NEW  YORK AND EVERY PRIVATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY WITHIN
 THE STATE SHALL IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FREE COLLEGE TEXTBOOKS TO
 EVERY STUDENT ATTENDING SUCH INSTITUTION.
   (B) SUCH PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE EACH STUDENT WITH A VOUCHER TO PURCHASE
 NECESSARY  TEXTBOOKS  WITH THE CONDITION ALL TEXTBOOKS SHALL BE RETURNED
 AT THE END OF EACH SEMESTER IN A SERVICEABLE CONDITION.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

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