BILL NUMBER: S2049
SPONSOR: FELDER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing persons
over age sixty-five to enroll in a limited number of SUNY or CUNY credit
hours without tuition
 
PURPOSE:
This bill will permit persons over the age of sixty-five to take courses
for credit, on a space-available basis, without charge, at State Univer-
sity of New York and City University of New York campuses.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends Section 355 of the Education Law to allow persons over sixty-five
years of age to receive up to a maximum of nine credit hours per semes-
ter for courses taken at the State University of New York at no charge,
on a space available basis. Amends § 6206 of the Education Law to allow
persons over sixty-five years of age to receive up to a maximum of nine
credit hours per semester for courses taken at the City University of
New York at no charge, on a space available basis.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In 1974, New York State adopted Chapter 1002 of the Laws of 1974 permit-
ting persons over the age of sixty to audit courses at the State Univer-
sity without tuition, examination or credit, on a space available basis.
On approving that legislation, the Governor noted that, "Education can
be a major factor in helping older people maintain their mental alert-
ness, (and) continue active participation in the affairs of their commu-
nities. In many instances, however, financial and formal educational
barriers have rendered such education opportunity inaccessible.".
Although the 1974 law began an important step forward, senior citizens
have so far been denied the opportunity under this program to further
their education on a for-credit basis. This bill would extend to persons
age sixty-five and over the ability to attend courses at no charge at
the State University, on a space-available basis, while receiving credit
for their course work.
This is a logical continuation of our efforts to integrate our older
collegians fully into the mainstream of academic life. Not only will
older students benefit from fully participating in the courses offered
at both the State University of New York and the City University of New
York, they will bring a broad range of lifetime experiences to the
classroom, thereby enriching the education of students.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2015/16:S.3807 - Passed Senate in 2016
2017/18:S.1110 - Passed Senate both years
2019/20:S.692 - Remained in Higher Education Committee
2021/22:S.3686 - Reported from Higher Education Committee
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There is no direct fiscal impact, because all attendance would be on a
space-available basis.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.

Statutes affected:
S2049: 6206 education law, 6206(7) education law