Bill > A04608

This bill expands the eligibility period for loan forgiveness for indigent legal service attorneys by modifying the existing New York State district attorney and indigent legal services attorney loan forgiveness program. Specifically, the bill changes the "eligible period" from a six-year period after completing the third year of employment to a seven-year period after completing the second year of employment, before the commencement of the tenth year. The bill allows for combining periods of time when an attorney was employed as an eligible attorney or when a law school graduate awaiting bar admission was employed by a prosecuting or criminal defense agency. The legislation ensures that current program participants will not have their existing awards or status negatively impacted by these changes. The bill aims to provide more flexibility and support for attorneys working in public service legal roles by extending the timeframe during which they can qualify for loan forgiveness.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4608