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Bill

A 8258

Exempts Massapequa school district from regulations regarding the use of indigenous mascots

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Durso

Exempts Massapequa School District from state regulations on Indigenous mascots, allowing continued use in branding and athletics; other districts remain subject to rules.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · A 8258

Bill A 8258 — Summary

Overview

Bill A 8258, introduced May 5, 2025 and currently referred to the Education Committee, would exempt the Massapequa School District from state regulations governing the use of Indigenous mascots. The primary sponsor listed is Assemblymember Michael Durso.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill’s main aim is to carve out a targeted exemption for the Massapequa Union Free School District from the statewide regulatory framework that governs the use of Indigenous mascots, imagery, and related branding in schools.
  • By creating this exemption, the district would be allowed to continue using Indigenous mascot names and symbols without being subject to the applicable regulations that would otherwise apply to other districts.

Key provisions (as described by bill title and summary)

  • Exemption: The Massapequa School District would be exempt from the state regulations regulating the use of Indigenous mascots in schools.
  • Scope: The exemption appears to apply specifically to Massapequa; other districts would remain subject to the existing regulatory framework.
  • Regulation and enforcement: The bill would remove applicability of the targeted regulations for Massapequa, effectively allowing continued use of Indigenous mascots within district branding, athletics, and related materials, unless other, non-specified rules intervene.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Massapequa Union Free School District and its students, staff, families, and local community stakeholders.
  • Secondary: Other districts would not be affected unless similar or separate exemptions are enacted in additional measures.

Procedural/timeline details

  • Introduction: May 5, 2025.
  • Current status: Referred to the Education Committee.
  • Legislative actions listed: Referred to Education on 2025-05-05 (noted twice in the record).
  • Related measures: Senate companion S 7665 (listed as a companion) and S 9244 (prior-session). The presence of a Senate companion suggests cross-chamber consideration may occur.

Context and potential impact

  • Context: This bill sits within a broader policy conversation about Indigenous mascots in New York schools. It would preserve a district’s ability to maintain Indigenous-themed branding despite statewide rules.
  • Impact: If enacted, Massapequa would continue to use Indigenous mascots without being governed by the applicable state regulations; other districts would continue to be subject to those regulations. The targeted nature of the exemption means it would not automatically extend to similar districts without further legislation.

Note: Details about the precise regulatory text and effective date would appear in the bill’s full language upon passage or further amendment.

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

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