Requires that public schools provide instruction on climate change, including but not limited to identifying the causes and impacts of climate change on individuals, environments and communities, and learning to evaluate solutions.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4876
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 7, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SIMON, COLTON, GONZALEZ-ROJAS, DE LOS SANTOS,
R. CARROLL, ROSENTHAL, LUNSFORD, MAMDANI, BICHOTTE HERMELYN, SIMONE,
SHRESTHA, TAYLOR, GALLAGHER, DINOWITZ, BURDICK, WEPRIN, ALVAREZ, DAVI-
LA, CHANDLER-WATERMAN, CUNNINGHAM, SHIMSKY, REYES, KELLES, TAPIA,
BURKE, ROZIC, STECK, RAGA -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK,
SAYEGH, SEAWRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Educa-
tion
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to interdisciplinary
instruction on climate change
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 819 to
2 read as follows:
3 § 819. Instruction on climate change. 1. Subject to appropriation,
4 beginning with the two thousand twenty-six--two thousand twenty-seven
5 school year, every public school shall provide instruction on climate
6 change and such instruction may be provided through interdisciplinary
7 instruction, where appropriate. Such instruction shall include, but not
8 be limited to, identifying the causes and impacts of climate change on
9 individuals, environments and communities, and learning to evaluate
10 solutions. Such instruction on climate change shall be in alignment with
11 state learning standards, as appropriate.
12 2. The department shall, subject to appropriation, prepare and make
13 available guidance and resources for educators including, but not limit-
14 ed to, supports for school districts to offer professional learning
15 opportunities, that may be used to assist such educators in meeting the
16 requirements of this section. The department shall also, subject to
17 appropriation, provide technical assistance to school districts as such
18 school districts transition their operations, including but not limited
19 to facilities and transportation, to more energy efficient and climate
20 friendly approaches.
21 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03181-01-5
