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Bill

A 3595

Authorizes and directs the commissioner of education to conduct a study on the number of children who are caregivers and how being a caregiver impacts their education

2025 Regular Session Introduced by George Alvarez and 3 co-sponsors

New York education commissioner must study how many K-12 students are family caregivers and document educational impacts to inform potential policy interventions.

SUBSTITUTED BY S6273A
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Bill Summary · A 3595

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 3595 directs New York's Commissioner of Education to conduct a comprehensive study on the prevalence of student caregivers—children who provide care for family members—and examines how these caregiving responsibilities affect their educational outcomes and performance.

Why is this important

Student caregivers (sometimes called "young carers") are an often-overlooked population that may experience higher absenteeism, lower grades, and reduced college attendance due to competing responsibilities. Understanding the scope and impact of this issue could inform policies around academic accommodations, support services, and resource allocation for affected students.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and prioritization: Critics may question whether a study represents the best use of education department resources compared to direct interventions or services for struggling students
  • Data collection complexity: Defining and identifying student caregivers requires sensitive questions about family circumstances; concerns may arise about privacy, mandatory reporting obligations, and implementation burden on schools
  • Scope of recommendations: The bill authorizes a study but does not guarantee funding for remedial programs, leaving unclear what happens with findings and whether the state will take corrective action

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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