BILL NUMBER: S9885
SPONSOR: SUTTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to reimbursement for
grants for the hiring of teachers, arts and music teacher grants and
nonpublic school safety equipment grants
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To require that certain nonpublic school aid reimbursements administered
by the New York State Education Department be paid within twelve months
of the department's receipt of a complete application.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill amends New York Education Law section 3037 to
require that reimbursements for math, science, and technology teacher
grants for nonpublic schools be paid within twelve months of receipt of
a completed application.
Section two of the bill adds a new section 3037-a to the education law
to require that reimbursements for arts and music teacher grants for
nonpublic schools be paid within twelve months of receipt of a completed
application. This section also adds a new section 3037-b to the educa-
tion law to require that reimbursements provided under the nonpublic
school safety equipment program be paid within twelve months of receipt
of a completed application. Lastly, section two adds a new section
3037-c to the education law to require the State Education Department to
report upon any reimbursements payable pursuant to the aforementioned
sections that have not been paid within twelve months of the depart-
ment's receipt of a complete application for a grant.
Section three of the bill provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State provides several aid programs to support nonpublic
schools in meeting state requirements and providing instruction in key
subject areas. These programs include school safety equipment aid
(NPSE), science, technology, and math teacher grants (STEM), and arts
and music teacher grants. While the State has established these programs
to assist nonpublic schools, current law does not consistently require
that reimbursements be paid within a defined timeframe. This differs
from the Mandated Services Aid program for nonpublic schools, which
requires claims to be submitted by a specified date and directs that
such claims be paid by the department by a corresponding statutory dead-
line.
Delays in reimbursement can create financial uncertainty for nonpublic
schools, which must often expend funds upfront to comply with program
requirements or provide instructional services. Establishing a clear
statutory timeframe for payment will provide greater predictability and
ensure that schools can plan their budgets responsibly. This legislation
addresses this issue by requiring that reimbursements for these programs
be paid within twelve months of the department's receipt of a complete
application.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect April 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
S9885: 3037 education law, 3037(2) education law