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NY A07398

NY A07398
Requires public elementary schools to start no earlier than eight a.m. and public secondary schools to start no earlier than eight thirty a.m.


summary

Introduced
03/25/2025
In Committee
03/25/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 General Assembly

Bill Summary

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring public elementary schools to start no earlier than eight a.m. and public secondary schools to start no earlier than eight thirty a.m.

AI Summary

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.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (12)

Last Action

enacting clause stricken (on 12/08/2025)

bill text


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