BILL NUMBER: S9871
SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a school
air conditioning system grant program; and making an appropriation
therefor
 
PURPOSE OF BILL:
This legislation establishes a school air conditioner grant program
available to all K-12 schools to assist with capital expenses of
purchasing and installing air conditioning units or systems to cool
areas of the school used by students.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 establishes the school air conditioner grant program in a new
Section 409-n of the Education Law; including definitions of "covered
area" and "school". Preference will be given to schools lacking any air
conditioning systems for covered areas.
Section 2 provides an appropriation of $500,000,000.
Section 3 sets forth an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFCATION:
There has been significant attention to the impact of extreme heat in
K-12 educational settings which have an impact on student health,
welfare and safety. Extreme heat further hinders a student's capacity to
participate in education, particularly when confined indoors with poor
ventilation.
While there is no known official or unofficial estimate of individual
school air conditioning needs across New York State, we must begin to
address this health and safety problem immediately. Many schools that
currently lack air conditioning for covered student areas require
assistance in making the necessary capital investments, and this legis-
lation would begin this effort.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
An appropriation of $500,000,000 is provided.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.