New York A 8974: Establishes the New York Jewish Heritage Education Equity Act

Bill Text

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A08974 Summary:

BILL NOA08974 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORDurso

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COSPNSRBichotte Hermelyn, Bologna, Brown E, Morinello, Brown K, Maher, Norber, DeStefano, McDonough,
 Brook-Krasny, Gray, Jensen, Stern

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MLTSPNSR

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Add §805, Ed L

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Establishes a committee to conduct a survey of instruction on Jewish heritage and issue a report on such survey.

Go to top A08974 Actions:

BILL NOA08974 

&nbsp

08/13/2025referred to education

01/07/2026referred to education

Go to topA08974 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA08974 Floor&nbspVotes:

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

Go to topA08974 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 8974

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 August 13, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. DURSO -- read once and referred to the Committee
 on Education

 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a commit-
 tee to conduct a survey of instruction on Jewish heritage and issue a
 report on such survey; and providing for the repeal of such provisions
 upon expiration thereof

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

 1 Section 1. This act shall be known as the "New York Jewish Heritage
 2 Education Equity Act".
 3 § 2. (a) The commissioner of education is authorized and directed to
 4 conduct a survey regarding instruction on Jewish heritage within the
 5 state. Such survey shall focus on identifying the extent to which school
 6 districts provide instruction on Jewish heritage. Such survey shall
 7 include as appropriate, questions on how the district is providing such
 8 instruction, including, but not limited to, the following:
 9 (1) how the department's learning standards inform the school
 10 district's teaching of Jewish heritage history;
 11 (2) which grade levels are being taught about Jewish heritage history;
 12 (3) how much instructional time is devoted to Jewish heritage history;
 13 (4) what are the school district's social studies curricula that are
 14 used in the district, and who publishes curricula;
 15 (5) what challenges and/or barriers do districts face in incorporating
 16 Jewish heritage history into the curriculum;
 17 (6) do educators receive any training or professional development
 18 regarding Jewish heritage history; and
 19 (7) are there assessments or evaluations to measure student under-
 20 standing of Jewish heritage history.
 21 (b) Findings shall include detailed results of the survey, and if
 22 needed, recommendations to implement or strengthen such instruction. A
 23 report of the findings of such survey shall be delivered to the gover-

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD13545-01-5

 A. 8974 2

 1 nor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly,
 2 the minority leader of the senate and the minority leader of the assem-
 3 bly the first of January following the effective date of this act or one
 4 hundred twenty days after the effective date of this act, whichever is
 5 later.
 6 § 3. The education law is amended by adding a new section 805 to read
 7 as follows:
 8 § 805. Jewish heritage history advisory committee; appointment; powers
 9 and duties. 1. The commissioner shall establish a Jewish heritage advi-
 10 sory committee.
 11 2. (a) The committee shall be comprised of four members, to be
 12 appointed as follows:
 13 i. one member appointed by the governor;
 14 ii. one member appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
 15 iii. one member appointed by the speaker of the assembly; and
 16 iv. one member appointed by the commissioner.
 17 (b) All members appointed to the committee shall be experts in Jewish
 18 heritage and/or have a background in educational instruction and/or
 19 educational administration.
 20 (c) All members of the committee shall be appointed within ninety days
 21 of the effective date of this section.
 22 3. Vacancies in the membership of the committee shall be filled in the
 23 same manner provided for original appointments.
 24 4. The committee shall meet no less than four times per year.
 25 5. The committee shall provide recommendations on the following: