S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4966
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 27, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SLATER -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to providing reimburse-
ment for schools to transition from native names, logos, and mascots
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 319 to
read as follows:
§ 319. TRANSITIONING FROM NATIVE MASCOTS, NAMES OR LOGOS. 1. AS USED
IN THIS SECTION, "NATIVE NAME, LOGO, OR MASCOT" SHALL MEAN ANY PERSON,
ANIMAL OR OBJECT USED TO REPRESENT A SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH NAMES, REFERS
TO, REPRESENTS, OR IS ASSOCIATED WITH NATIVE AMERICANS, INCLUDING
ASPECTS OF NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES AND SPECIFIC NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES.
2. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL REIMBURSE ANY SCHOOL REQUIRED BY LAW, RULE,
OR REGULATION TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM A NATIVE NAME, LOGO, OR MASCOT FOR
THE ACTUAL COSTS OF SUCH TRANSITION. SUCH COSTS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT
BE LIMITED TO, ANY COSTS INCURRED FROM:
(A) SELECTING A NEW SCHOOL OR ATHLETIC TEAM NAME, LOGO, OR MASCOT;
(B) DESIGNING THE SELECTED NEW SCHOOL OR ATHLETIC TEAM NAME, LOGO, OR
MASCOT;
(C) REPLACING UNIFORMS OR OTHER MATERIALS BEARING A NATIVE NAME, LOGO,
OR
(D) REPLACING A MARQUEE, SIGN, ART WORK, OR OTHER FIXTURE WHICH BEARS
THE NATIVE NAME, LOGO, OR MASCOT; AND
(E) REPLACING ANY PORTION OF A SCHOOL'S FACILITIES WHICH BEARS THE
NATIVE NAME, LOGO OR MASCOT INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, BUILDINGS,
ATHLETIC FIELDS, COURTS, STRUCTURES, VEHICLES, AND FLOORS.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09007-01-3