BILL NUMBER: S8107

SPONSOR: GRIFFO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to allowing students
attending agricultural learning events to be recorded as in attendance
at school

 
PURPOSE:

Allows students attending agricultural learning events to be counted as
in attendance at school.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3207-b to read
as follows: School attendance for agricultural learning events. 1. A
school district may permit an enrolled student, with the consent of such
student's parent, guardian, or other person in parental relation, to
attend an agricultural learning event. For the purposes of attendance,
any student serving while school is in session shall be recorded as in
              

attendance.

2. For purposes of this section, an "agricultural learning event" shall
include, but not be limited to, scheduled event of state future farmers
of America (FFA) associations, the national future farmers of America
(FFA) organizations, and 4-H programs as part of organized competitions
or exhibitions.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

This legislation mirrors HB 3814 passed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
in 2023 to allow students attending agricultural learning events such as
FFA and 4-H programs to be credited as their participation towards
school attendance. New York State is a leader in the agricultural indus-
try, and to help ensure the growth of the industry, we must invest in
our future generations of agricultural leaders. This legislation would
encourage students involved in the FFA and 4-H to continue their partic-
ipation in the program while not be penalized for an unexcused absence
from school.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.