Directs the regents to adopt rules to permit lifeguard certification training courses to satisfy required physical education credits.
Summary
This bill amends the Education Law to direct the New York State Board of Regents to adopt rules allowing students to earn physical education credit for participation in, and attainment of, certification through a New York State-approved lifeguard training program. In practical terms, it would let approved lifeguard certification courses count toward the physical education instruction required under section 803 of the Education Law.
The measure is narrowly focused on school credit policy and does not change graduation requirements directly; instead, it gives the Regents authority to recognize lifeguard training as an eligible substitute or partial substitute for required physical education periods. The bill would take effect 90 days after becoming law.
Impact
The bill would amend section 803 of the Education Law by adding a mandate for the Regents to create rules permitting credit for lifeguard certification training. Its effect would be to expand the types of activities that can satisfy required physical education instruction, potentially benefiting students enrolled in approved lifeguard programs and schools that offer or partner with such training. It would also create an incentive for youth participation in lifeguarding and water safety training, while leaving implementation details to the Regents and education authorities.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the overall sentiment appears supportive and practical rather than controversial. The proposal is framed as a modest education-policy adjustment that aligns school credit with a vocationally useful certification. There is no evidence in the provided materials of organized opposition, amendments, or divided voting.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided record. Potential concerns, if raised, would likely center on whether lifeguard training is sufficiently comparable to traditional physical education, how schools would verify approved programs, and whether granting credit could reduce time spent in broader PE instruction. However, no committee testimony or vote history is available here to show that any of these issues were actively disputed.
Establishes a free lifeguard training program in high schools in a city with a population of one million or more and covers all fees and costs of a state-approved lifeguard certification exam for any student upon completion of the training program.
Directs the commissioner of education to make recommendations to the board of regents regarding the incorporation of instruction in artificial intelligence system literacy into the school curriculum at the elementary, junior high and senior high levels; directs the board of regents to adopt guidelines if the curriculum is adopted.
Enacts the "Lifeguard incentive and debt assistance (LIDA) act", which provides financial aid assistance to eligible students working as lifeguards during such students' academic career at a college or university in the state of New York; provides a one-time debt relief check to post-graduate students who maintain an active lifeguard certification for four years.
Relates to access to educational activities by public assistance recipients who are subject to work participation requirements; allows homework expected or required by an educational institution to count towards satisfaction of the work activity requirements for public assistance benefits for participants engaged in certain educational or training activities.
Relates to access to educational activities by public assistance recipients who are subject to work participation requirements; allows homework expected or required by an educational institution to count towards satisfaction of the work activity requirements for public assistance benefits for participants engaged in certain educational or training activities.
Relates to access to educational activities by public assistance recipients who are subject to work participation requirements; allows homework expected or required by an educational institution to count towards satisfaction of the work activity requirements for public assistance benefits for participants engaged in certain educational or training activities.
Requires course work or training in menopausal health for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, mental health practitioners, psychologists and social workers.
Allows physically disabled individuals who are not able to stand up to complete the two-hour live-fire range training course requirement for a concealed carry license while sitting.
Grants temporary parking permits for handicapped parking spaces to pregnant persons; requires certification from a physician; provides that such permit terminates at the end of the pregnancy.