Creates a service learning program for students serving as active volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers; mandates certain features of such program.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
217
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE(Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sens. HELMING, RHOADS, TEDISCO -- read twice and ordered
printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher
Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to certain service learn-
ing, internship, or independent study programs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 355 of the education law is amended by adding a new
2 subdivision 22 to read as follows:
3 22. The state university trustees shall adopt regulations to establish
4 a service learning, internship, or independent study program for
5 students that serve as active volunteer firefighters and/or active
6 volunteer ambulance workers. Each state-operated institution and commu-
7 nity college may, as determined by its president, offer such a service
8 learning, internship, or independent study program to eligible students
9 in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the state university
10 trustees. Such program shall consist of (a) a community service compo-
11 nent that may be completed through no less than twenty hours of verifi-
12 able volunteer firefighting activities, volunteer ambulance or emergency
13 response activities, or other activities related to volunteer fire or
14 ambulance service as determined by the state university trustees, and
15 (b) an academic component related to such volunteer activity that may be
16 completed through a written report or journal, or other written assign-
17 ment as determined by the state university trustees. Such program shall
18 be open to any student enrolled in an associate or baccalaureate
19 degree-producing program on a full-time or part-time basis that is an
20 active volunteer firefighter as defined in subdivision one of section
21 two hundred fifteen of the general municipal law or an active volunteer
22 ambulance worker as defined in subdivision fourteen of section two
23 hundred nineteen-k of the general municipal law. No more than six
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00550-01-5
S. 217 2
1 academic credits shall be awarded to a student for successful completion
2 of such service learning, internship or independent study program. In
3 developing the service learning, internship or independent study program
4 described in this subdivision, the state university trustees may, in its
5 discretion, consult with the office of fire prevention and control
6 and/or any statewide organization that represents the interests of the
7 volunteer fire service or the volunteer ambulance service.
8 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
9 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
10 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
11 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
12 on or before such effective date.
