Bill > A02623

This bill creates a transportation subsidy to help students access water safety instruction by establishing a new program in the state education law. The bill allows public schools to provide optional transportation funding for students to attend qualified swimming and water safety courses at private facilities, with specific eligibility criteria. The program will apply to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, with different geographic radius requirements for cities with populations over one million versus smaller areas. The transportation subsidy can cover various transportation methods like school buses or public transit, and may even potentially include parent transportation. The qualifications for the courses and facilities will be defined by the education commissioner in consultation with the health department. Eligible students can receive the subsidy by proving their enrollment in an approved water safety instruction program. The bill will take effect 90 days after becoming law, with provisions allowing immediate preparation of necessary regulations to implement the program.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2623