Bill > A02125

This bill enacts the "Fair College Admissions Act," which prohibits legacy admissions policies at higher education institutions in New York. The legislation seeks to address educational inequity by preventing colleges and universities from considering an applicant's family alumni status during the admissions process. The bill's legislative intent highlights several key findings: students with bachelor's degrees are three times less likely to live in poverty, graduates from selective institutions are more likely to earn higher salaries, and legacy admissions disproportionately disadvantage students from working-class, low-income, immigrant, and historically underrepresented minority backgrounds. Under the bill, higher education institutions, including the State University of New York (SUNY), City University of New York (CUNY), and other degree-granting institutions, will be prohibited from asking about or using alumni relations as an admissions factor. Institutions must remove such information from application documents in good faith. If an institution is found to knowingly and repeatedly violate this prohibition after a hearing, they may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $50,000. The bill aims to promote educational, economic, and social equity by diversifying selective institutions and reducing achievement gaps between historically advantaged and disadvantaged groups. The law is set to take effect on the first of July following its passage.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2125