New York S 6974: Permits public schools to utilize or display indigenous names

Bill Text

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S06974 Summary:

BILL NOS06974 

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SAME ASSAME AS A07407

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SPONSORWEBER

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Amd §305, Ed L

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Permits public schools to utilize or display indigenous names.

Go to top S06974 Actions:

BILL NOS06974 

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03/27/2025REFERRED TO EDUCATION

01/07/2026REFERRED TO EDUCATION

Go to topS06974 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS06974 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS06974 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 6974

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 March 27, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. WEBER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
 printed to be committed to the Committee on Education

 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to permitting public
 schools to utilize or display indigenous names

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new
 2 subdivision 63 to read as follows:
 3 63. (a) As used in this subdivision, the following terms shall have
 4 the following meanings:
 5 (i) "indigenous names" means a name that depicts or refers to indige-
 6 nous persons, tribes, nations, individuals, customs, symbols or tradi-
 7 tions, including actual or stereotypical aspects of indigenous cultures,
 8 used to represent a public school's extracurricular activities, includ-
 9 ing but not limited to such school's sports teams.
 10 (ii) "indigenous logos or mascots" means a symbol or image that
 11 depicts or refers to indigenous persons, tribes, nations, individuals,
 12 customs, symbols, or traditions, including actual or stereotypical
 13 aspects of indigenous cultures, used to represent a public school's
 14 extracurricular activities, including but not limited to such school's
 15 sports teams.
 16 (b) The commissioner shall adopt regulations to allow public schools
 17 to utilize or display an indigenous name and shall repeal any rule or
 18 regulation inconsistent with allowing such use. Nothing in this subdivi-
 19 sion shall prohibit the commissioner from adopting any rule or regu-
 20 lation prohibiting public schools from utilizing or displaying an
 21 indigenous logo or mascot other than for purposes of classroom instruc-
 22 tion.
 23 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD11149-01-5

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