S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
361
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
(PREFILED)
January 6, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. JACOBSON, GOTTFRIED -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to high school diploma
requirements
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 60 to read as follows:
60. A. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO REQUIRE AS A
CONDITION OF AWARDING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA TO A STUDENT, THE PARENT OR
GUARDIAN OF SUCH STUDENT OR, IF THE STUDENT IS EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR
OLDER OR LEGALLY EMANCIPATED, SUCH STUDENT, TO COMPLY WITH ONE OF THE
FOLLOWING:
(I) COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID
(FAFSA) FOR SUCH STUDENT; OR
(II) COMPLETE A WAIVER FORM PROMULGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT, TO BE FILED
WITH THE STUDENT'S SCHOOL DISTRICT INDICATING THAT THE PARENT OR GUARDI-
AN OR, IF THE STUDENT IS EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER OR LEGALLY EMAN-
CIPATED, THE STUDENT, UNDERSTANDS WHAT THE FAFSA IS AND HAS CHOSEN NOT
TO FILE AN APPLICATION PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF
THIS PARAGRAPH.
B. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE COMMIS-
SIONER SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO REQUIRE EACH SCHOOL
DISTRICT WITH AT LEAST ONE HIGH SCHOOL TO PROVIDE EACH ELIGIBLE HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENT AND, IF APPLICABLE, HIS OR HER PARENT OR GUARDIAN ANY
SUPPORT OR ASSISTANCE NECESSARY FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE RULES AND REGU-
LATIONS PROMULGATED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
C. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS REQUIRING
EACH HIGH SCHOOL TO GIVE NOTICE, NO LESS THAN FOUR TIMES DURING EACH
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05257-01-1
A. 361 2
SCHOOL YEAR, WITH AN EXPLANATION TO EACH HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR OF THE
STATE-SPONSORED SCHOLARSHIPS, FINANCIAL AID AND ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO
STUDENTS ATTENDING COLLEGE OR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
to be made and completed on or before such effective date.