Senate Bill S8288

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8288

SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing for not-for-
profit community organizations to use rooms within a public school at a
nominal fee

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To allow not-for-profit community organizations to utilize school space
for meetings and events that benefit students and families in the commu-
nity at a nominal fee for the room.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new paragraph to subdivision 1 of section 414 of the
education law, to read "For meetings and events held by not-for-profit
community organizations."

Section 2 adds language amending chapter 513 of the laws of 2005 within
              

subdivision 2 of section 414 of the education law, stating "and which
may include rental in a nominal amount sufficient to cover all resulting
expenses for the purposes of paragraph (1) of subdivision one of this
section."

Section 3 includes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

This legislation seeks to amend the education law to mandate that public
schools charge only a nominal fee to community organizations using
school facilities for meetings and events. The legislation was brought
about after learning that a Girl Scout Troop - made up of students that
go to the NYC school - was being charged $3K to hold meetings in the
school. A fee they were forced to raise additional money for to utilize
the space. This amendment is grounded in the principles of equitable
access, community engagement, and the responsible use of publicly funded
infrastructure.

Public schools are cornerstones of the communities they serve. By offer-
ing affordable access to their facilities, schools can play a critical
role in fostering civic engagement, supporting local initiatives, and
encouraging a stronger sense of community identity.  Community organiza-
tions-such as youth programs, neighborhood associations, cultural
groups, and nonprofits-often lack the resources to afford market-rate
rental fees. Ensuring access to school facilities at a nominal cost
helps these organizations flourish and serve their intended populations
more effectively.

Public schools are funded by taxpayers and belong to the public. When
school buildings sit unused during evenings, weekends, or school holi-
days, valuable public space goes underutilized. This legislation aligns
with the principle that public assets should fully benefit the public.
Allowing low-cost community use ensures that these investments serve
educational and social functions beyond regular school hours.


Additionally, in many communities, especially underserved or low-income
areas, public school facilities are among the few accessible, safe, and
suitable venues for community gatherings.  Charging high fees for their
use disproportionately affects these communities and can exclude those
who most need support. A nominal fee structure helps remove barriers and
promotes equity in the use of public resources.

The legislation provides for the charging of a nominal fee, recognizing
that schools may incur modest costs for utilities, custodial services,
or security. It strikes a balance by allowing institutions to recover
reasonable expenses while still prioritizing community access over
revenue generation.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.