BILL NUMBER: S4159
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act authorizing and directing the commissioner of education to
conduct a study regarding ecological literacy and healthy living curric-
ulum in schools, and to provide recommendations
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Ecological literacy is vital to preserving our world and our vast
natural resources here in New York State. This bill aims to evaluate
current programs offered in schools across the state that address
ecological literacy and healthy living to get a better understanding of
how to implement a uniform curriculum.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
The bill language authorizes and directs the commissioner of education
to conduct the study and requires, among other things, the submission of
a report to the Governor and the leaders of both legislative houses.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Some of our schools have undertaken different initiatives to incorporate
ecological literacy and healthy living into their curricula. With the
advent of climate change, we need to educate the next generation of New
Yorkers in ways that will help them address environmental challenges
while protecting our natural resources. The public and private sector
must work towards creating a vibrant and sustainable New York so that
future generations can enjoy the same quality of life as their fore-
bears. To achieve this, it is important that we make sustainability a
focus in our educational framework. This bill aims to evaluate the
different programs that schools have in place so that an overall program
can be implemented statewide.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: Referred to Education
2023-24: Referred to Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.