BILL NUMBER: S4662

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the economic development law, in relation to requiring
the department of economic development issue a quarterly report on film
production and post production tax credits by project and by county in
the aggregate and publish such reports on such department's website

 
PURPOSE:

Correcting the inequity in the current law by making students with
intellectual disabilities who are enrolled in a postsecondary education
experience or transition programs eligible for assistance from the
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends Section 602 of the education law to add a new subdivi-
sion requiring the Commissioner of Education for students with intellec-
tual disabilities enrolled in an approved postsecondary education expe-
              

rience or transition program to receive financial assistance from the
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

Section 2: Amends Section 667 of the education law to add a new subdivi-
sion defining the meaning of "postsecondary education experience or
transition program" and states that TAP awards shall be made available
to qualified students with intellectual disabilities who are enrolled in
an approved postsecondary education experience or transition program. It
also defines "students with intellectual disabilities" for this section.

Section 3: Sets Effective Date

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Postsecondary education experiences or transition programs are important
avenues for young adults with disabilities who seek to improve their
future through higher education and vocational preparation. The mission
of these programs enjoys significant support among New Yorkers. However,
because these programs are generally non-degree programs, students are
not eligible for financial support through the Tuition Assistance
Program. Federally funded aid for non-degree programs serving intellec-
tually disabled students became available through the Higher Education
Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008, which authorized the US Department of
Education to certify specific programs as Comprehensive Training and
Post-secondary Programs or CTPs. Programs meeting CTP eligibility
requirements have their Title IV Financial Aid agreement with the feder-
al government amended to permit disbursing select forms of aid Pell
Grants and Work Study - to non-degree-seeking students with ID/DD.

It is reasonable for New York State to support these programs and
students' efforts to better themselves by mirroring the federal govern-
ment's example. This bill makes TAP funds available to intellectually
disabled students attending a qualified postsecondary education experi-
ence or transition program.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Senate

2019: S5071A, Passed Senate

2020: S5071A, Amended and Recommitted to Finance

2021: S1786A, Amended and Recommitted to Finance

2022: S1786A, Referred to Finance

2023: S1880, Referred to Finance

2024: S1880, Referred to Finance


Assembly

2019: No Assembly Same-As

2020: No Assembly Same-As

2021: A3032A, Amended and Recommitted to Higher Education

2022: A3032A, Referred to Higher Education

2023: A2341, Referred to Higher Education

2024: A2341, Referred to Higher Education

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.