BILL NUMBER: S217
SPONSOR: HELMING
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to certain service learn-
ing, internship, or independent study programs
 
PURPOSE:
To allow community colleges and State University of New York (SUNY)
schools to implement programs that would provide academic credit for
successful completion of a service learning, internship, or independent
study program in relation to the volunteer fire service, as prescribed
by regulations established by the state university trustees.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Sections 1: amends section 355 of the education law to direct the state
university trustees to adopt regulations to establish a service learn-
ing, internship, or independent study program for students that serve as
active volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers.
Section 2: Establishes an effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Colleges and universities often offer internships and independent study
programs so students can earn academic credit while obtaining real-life
work experience. Service-learning programs are an emerging and growing
teaching method on college campuses and these programs are effective in
combining academic learning and real-life experiences.
One of the most critical community services provided by New York resi-
dents is volunteer fire protection and emergency services. Many younger
individuals may be interested in volunteering for their local fire
department or ambulance company but are discouraged from doing so due to
the time demands of being a college student. This bill provides a
common-sense approach to combining community service and academic learn-
ing, which will lead to greater volunteerism and more well-rounded and
experienced college students.
Under this legislation, the state university trustees will establish
regulations that create guidelines for service learning, internship or
independent study program for active volunteer firefighters and ambu-
lance workers. Such programs must include a service and an academic
requirement. Through involvement in the volunteer fire service, a
student not only provides vital community services but can also learn a
number of valuable principles in various academic areas. Some topics
students will learn about in the volunteer fire service include not-for-
profit corporation governance, municipal government, licensing and
permitting, charitable giving, record keeping, compliance with safety
and other laws, insurance, taxes, budgeting, and management.
This bill provides valuable skills and learning opportunities for
students while encouraging more volunteerism to serve our communities.
The skills and knowledge gained through the volunteer fire service are
worthy of academic credit through properly developed and structured
service learning, internship and independent study programs. This legis-
lation allows SUNY schools and community colleges to recognize this by
offering students the opportunity to participate in such programs, as
prescribed by the state university trustees.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.4461 referred to Higher Education
2021-2022: S.6369 referred to Higher Education
2019-2020: S1569 referred to Higher Education/A.4523 referred to Higher
Education
2017-2018: S.1441 committed to Rules/A.5533 referred to Higher Education
2015-2016: S.3126 passed Senate/A.2896 referred to Education
2014: S.6678 passed Senate/A.8989 referred to Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law; provided however that, effective immediately, the state
university trustees are authorized and directed to add, amend and/or
repeal any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this
act on its effective date.

Statutes affected:
S217: 355 education law