Bill > S01117

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the state's educational commitment by requiring free education from prekindergarten through undergraduate degree or certification programs. Specifically, the bill modifies the existing constitutional language about "common schools" to create a more comprehensive guarantee of educational access. The proposed change would replace the phrase "common schools" and "the children" with broader terms like "free and quality education" and "pupils", effectively mandating that the state legislature provide a system of education that covers all levels from pre-K through post-secondary education at no cost to students. If passed, this amendment would need to be referred to the first regular legislative session after the next general election and published for three months prior to that election, in accordance with constitutional procedures for amending the state constitution. The bill represents a significant expansion of the state's constitutional obligation to provide public education, extending free educational opportunities from early childhood through undergraduate studies.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1117