Hochul signs Skoufis bill protecting schools from extreme heat

Governor Kathy Hochul on Saturday signed legislation to require that all school districts develop plans to mitigate extreme heat in classrooms and support services spaces and to establish a maximum allowable temperature to ensure the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff.

The bill was introduced by Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall) in the State Senate and Chris Eachus (D, Newburgh) in the State Assembly.

“It is incumbent upon us all to protect our children in and outside of the classroom, and that means maintaining safe classrooms that are conducive to learning,” Skoufis said. “This new law will do just that, benefiting both students and educators alike. I am grateful Governor Hochul signed the legislation and recognizes the importance of cooling during hot summer months – it is increasingly a necessity as each year gets warmer than the last.”

The legislation establishes 88 degrees as the maximum temperature in classrooms and support services spaces. It requires a plan for the removal of students and staff from these spaces where it is practical for the school district to do so. It also creates a definition of extreme heat condition days as well as a standard to measure room temperature.

In addition to the above, school districts will be required to take action to relieve heat-related discomfort when classroom temperatures reach 82 degrees. Such actions can include turning off overhead lights, pulling down shades or blinds, turning on fans, opening classroom doors and windows, turning off electronics, and providing water breaks.

“As a former teacher having spent 40 years in these classrooms, this is personal to me,” Eachus said. “Children simply can’t learn when temperatures reach as high as 88 degrees, and at worst can suffer from a health crisis. I am thankful to Governor Hochul for recognizing the urgency of this issue, and that we were able to once again deliver for the children of New York.”