Bill > A07398

This bill requires public elementary schools in New York to start no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and public secondary schools to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m., with specific enforcement mechanisms. The bill amends the state education law to mandate that the commissioner of education create rules and regulations implementing these start time requirements. To ensure compliance, the bill stipulates that schools will not receive state educational funding unless they demonstrate in their annual reports that they are adhering to the new start time guidelines. Specifically, elementary schools must document that they begin no earlier than 8:00 a.m., and high schools must show they start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. The legislation is designed to take effect immediately and will apply to all academic years beginning after its passage. This type of legislation is often motivated by research suggesting that later school start times can improve student health, academic performance, and overall well-being by aligning school schedules more closely with adolescent sleep patterns and biological rhythms.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7398