New York Senate Bill S09397

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/9/26
• Refer: 3/9/26

Caption

Establishes an educator development workforce for the purpose of contracting with EDHUBNY, a nonprofit organization, for support of New York's child serving and educator workforce; authorizes the workforce to contract with EDHUBNY including performance measures, reporting requirements, and fiscal controls; authorizes collaboration with other state agencies; provides for an appropriation of $50 million.

Summary

This bill would create an “educator development workforce” initiative within the Department of Labor to serve as an intermediary and technical-assistance hub for education entities and child-care providers. Its stated purpose is to strengthen New York’s child-serving and educator workforce by supporting registered apprenticeships, grow-your-own educator pipelines, retention strategies, mentoring, and streamlined credentialing pathways for career changers. The initiative would coordinate with the Department of Education, the Office of Children and Family Services, and other relevant agencies to support children from birth through high school graduation. The bill specifically authorizes the workforce to contract with EDHUBNY, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), to carry out these functions. Those contracts may fund apprenticeship programs, staffing and retention initiatives, professional development, and statewide intermediary coordination, including support for up to 750 apprentices. The bill also requires performance measures, reporting, fiscal controls, and state comptroller audit authority, and it directs EDHUBNY to maintain records for at least six years. A $50 million appropriation is provided from the state general fund, and the act would take effect January 1, 2027.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would add a new state workforce initiative and create a direct funding stream for educator and child-care workforce development activities. It would not amend an existing education statute so much as establish a new program structure under the Department of Labor, with cross-agency coordination and a formal contracting relationship with EDHUBNY. The measure would also create new reporting, audit, and recordkeeping obligations for the nonprofit and require state oversight of how the appropriated funds are spent.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears generally supportive of workforce development and educator pipeline expansion, with an emphasis on practical implementation, accountability, and statewide reach. There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history indicating opposition or debate, but the inclusion of performance measures, reporting requirements, fiscal controls, and audit provisions suggests an effort to address likely concerns about oversight and use of public funds.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are the size of the appropriation, the decision to channel funds through a named nonprofit, and whether the proposed intermediary structure will deliver measurable workforce results. Critics might question the reliance on EDHUBNY for statewide coordination, while supporters would likely emphasize its specialized role in apprenticeship and educator pipeline development. Another possible issue is whether the program’s benefits will be distributed equitably across regions and whether the reporting requirements are sufficient to ensure accountability.