Bill > S01378

This bill establishes a new museum education grant program designed to provide financial assistance to museums, historical societies, zoos, botanical gardens, and other cultural institutions located in low-income urban, suburban, or rural communities. The program, to be administered by the Commissioner of Education, will award competitive grants to eligible nonprofit cultural institutions to support educational programs for elementary, middle, and secondary school students. Eligible institutions must be located in or serve low-income communities and can use the grants for curriculum development, acquiring educational technologies, creating specialized exhibitions, providing student transportation, and developing continuing education programs. The bill mandates that grant funding be evenly distributed across institutions of different budget sizes, allocating 25% of funds to organizations with operating budgets ranging from $10,000 to over $1 million annually. The Commissioner of Education will develop application criteria and is required to submit an annual report detailing grant implementation, including information about participating institutions, their relationship to school curricula, and the geographic distribution of funds. The program aims to expand educational access and provide innovative learning opportunities for children and adult learners in under-resourced communities.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1378