BILL NUMBER: S7253
SPONSOR: LANZA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to prohibiting the hous-
ing of migrants in schoolhouses or on such grounds
 
PURPOSE OF BILL:
Prohibits the housing of migrants in schoolhouses or on such grounds.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Section 2590-h of the education law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 57.
Section 2: Is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
It has been reported that the Mayor of the City of New York is consider-
ing utilizing school gyms to house migrants in a move the Mayor himself
called "drastic." New York City is currently facing a crisis as more
than 65,000 asylum seekers have arrived in New York City since last
year. This influx of migrants is stretching the City's emergency housing
capacity. However, utilizing school facilities for housing this popu-
lation could jeopardize the safety of our schools. Around the nation,
schools are all too often the target of violence and threats of
violence. School districts have responded by putting in place strict
policies restricting access to school buildings and facilities. Placing
migrants in school facilities would undermine these security measures
while also potentially making them even more of a target of violence or
threats of violence. Additionally, housing this population in school
facilities would disrupt the education of our students. This legislation
seeks to address this issue by prohibiting school buildings and grounds
from being used for these purposes.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S.7401 - Referred to NYC Education
2023: S.7401 - Referred to NYC Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately,; provided that the amendments to
section 2590-h of the education law made by section one of this act
shall not affect the expiration and reversion of such section and shall
expire and be demed repealed therewith.

Statutes affected:
S7253: 2590-h education law