Bill > S02631

This bill requires public elementary and secondary schools in New York State to have later start times, specifically mandating that elementary schools begin no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and secondary schools begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m. The bill amends the state education law to direct the commissioner of education to create rules and regulations implementing these start time requirements. To ensure compliance, the bill ties these new start times to school funding by stipulating that schools will not be eligible to receive their full state education apportionment (financial allocation) unless they demonstrate adherence to the new start time guidelines in their annual reports. These requirements would apply to all academic years beginning on or after the bill's effective date, which is immediate upon passage. The bill appears to be motivated by research suggesting that later start times can benefit student health, academic performance, and overall well-being by aligning school schedules more closely with adolescents' natural sleep patterns and circadian rhythms.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S2631