BILL NUMBER: S5520
SPONSOR: SANDERS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a COVID-
19 essential workers scholarship program
 
PURPOSE:
Creates a college scholarship program for the essential employees who
worked during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 and the
children of essential employees who have died as a result of contracting
COVID-19.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends the education law, in relation to establishing a COVID-19 essen-
tial workers scholarship program.
 
EXISTING LAW:
None.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Essential workers including (but not limited to) food delivery person-
nel, convenience/grocery/deli store workers, transportation and health
care workers, continued to work during the outbreak of the coronavirus.
The essential workers put their health and the health of their families
at risk but continuing to travel to and perform their work tasks daily.
They kept the food supply chain open, delivered groceries to keep people
at home, kept transportation lines open, picked up and disposed of trash
and took care of the sick in the hospitals and other medical facilities.
Due to their efforts, many New Yorkers were able to stay safely at home
and prevent a larger outbreak of the virus. They have been heroes during
the coronavirus pandemic and have kept many New Yorkers alive.
New York has a history of rewarding heroes with opportunities that will
positivity impact their lives as a show of appreciation for their dedi-
cation and sacrifice. The essential employees who worked during the
outbreak of the novel coronavirus deserve the same treatment.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S5520: 604 education law