Skoufis, Eachus pass classroom heat cap

Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall) and Assemblyman Chris Eachus (D, Newburgh) have announced that their bill to establish a maximum temperature in school buildings and indoor facilities has passed the Senate and Assembly.

“Classroom temperatures have been recorded at over 100 degrees this time of year, making it near-impossible to either learn or teach,” Skoufis said. “While we’ve long had minimum school temperatures enshrined in state law, New York has neglected to keep our kids and educators cool in the hotter months.  That’s why I fought so hard for the passage of S.3397, which establishes a classroom temperature cap, and am proud to share the legislation passed both houses last week.”

The New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) heard from more than 700 educators in the 2023-24 school year alone about unbearable classroom conditions caused by excessive heat. Last month, NYSUT constructed a portable sauna to recreate these reported temperatures in the Capitol so lawmakers could experience these conditions firsthand.

“Extreme heat is a real danger to our students and educators, and we applaud state legislators for witnessing, experiencing, and now acknowledging the severity of its impact in our schools,” NYSUT President Melinda Person said. “Extreme heat is a real danger to our students and educators, and we applaud state legislators for witnessing, experiencing, and now acknowledging the severity of its impact in our schools.”