New York Assembly Bill A00353

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Relates to amending the universal full-day pre-kindergarten program subscription amount for regions other than New York city.

Summary

This bill amends New York’s Education Law governing the universal full-day pre-kindergarten program. It repeals a subdivision that tied the program to a competitive application process and removes language emphasizing competition and program creativity through competition. In its place, the bill directs the State Education Department to use a scoring system based on merit, student need, and community need, while also changing how slots are allocated. The bill sets the New York City region subscription amount at $300 million and requires that each region outside New York City be funded at an amount sufficient to provide slots for all qualifying programs. It also directs the department to allocate both conversion slots and new full-day pre-kindergarten slots based on available funding and to make payments based on documented eligible expenditures and actual slots operated on a per-pupil basis. The bill would take effect on July 1 following enactment.

Impact

The bill would revise the statutory framework for the universal full-day pre-kindergarten program by shifting away from a competitive regional allocation model and toward a funding structure that guarantees sufficient support for qualifying programs outside New York City. It would amend Education Law section 3602-ee, repeal subdivision 4, and modify subdivisions 1 and 5 to change how applications are evaluated and how slots and payments are distributed. The practical effect would be to alter the Department of Education’s administration of pre-K funding, especially in regions outside New York City, and to affect school districts, providers, and children eligible for full-day pre-kindergarten services.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or recorded support/opposition. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to reflect a policy preference for broader access and less competition in the allocation of pre-K funding, particularly for regions outside New York City. The overall tone of the proposal is administrative and expansion-oriented rather than contentious on its face.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the shift away from a competitive funding model. Supporters may favor the bill because it reduces competition and aims to ensure that all qualifying programs outside New York City can be funded, which could improve access and predictability. Opponents may object that removing competitive allocation could reduce flexibility, limit the state’s ability to prioritize the strongest proposals, or increase fiscal exposure by requiring sufficient funding for all qualifying programs in non-NYC regions. Another possible issue is the fixed $300 million subscription amount for New York City, which may be viewed as either a cap or a targeted funding level depending on perspective.