BILL NUMBER: S650
SPONSOR: GALLIVAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the universal full-day
pre-kindergarten program; and to repeal subdivision 4 of section 3602-ee
of such law relating thereto
 
PURPOSE:
To enable all school districts in the state to participate in the state-
wide universal full-day pre-kindergarten program.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one repeals subdivision 4 of section 3602-ee.
Section two removes the competitive elements of the program and provides
that the subscription for each region of the state other than the New
York city region shall be in an amount sufficient to provide slots for
all, qualifying programs.
Section three provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Although New York enacted a statewide universal full-day pre-kindergar-
ten program, many districts outside of New York City have not been able
to participate since they have to compete with other districts for
limited funds.
This legislation would remove the competitive element from the program,
so that any district that applies and meets the requirements of the
program would receive funding. Many school districts outside of New York
City have not started pre-kindergarten programs because they have not
been able to receive funding under the current program. In fact, in the
2015-16 school year, 82% of four-year-olds outside of New York City did
not have full-day pre-kindergarten. This legislation would ensure that
all four-year-olds in the state have access to full-day pre-kindergar-
ten.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.230/A.955 Referred to Education
2021-22: S.2568/A.823 Referred to Education
2019-20: S.1894/A.1249 Referred to Education
2017-18: S.7362/A.8506 Advanced to 3rd Reading/Referred to Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become
a law.

Statutes affected:
S650: 3602-ee education law, 3602-ee(4) education law