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A 4247

Provides that no class shall be held in any institution within the state or city university on those days of religious observance known as Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dave McDonough

No class on Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur at SUNY and CUNY institutions, forcing calendar adjustments for students, faculty, and campuses.

REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · A 4247

Summary of Bill A 4247

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 4247
  • Title / Purpose: Provides that no class shall be held in any institution within the state or city university on those days of religious observance known as Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur.
  • Status: Referred to the Higher Education Committee.
  • Introduced: January 31, 2025
  • Sponsor: David McDonough (primary)

Key Provisions

  • No class shall be held on Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur at any institution within the state or city university system.
  • Applies to all institutions within the SUNY (State University of New York) and CUNY (City University of New York) systems, as implied by the bill’s language referencing “the state or city university.”
  • The information provided does not specify exemptions, enforcement mechanisms, or how institutions must adjust academic calendars; those details would be in the bill’s text.

Affected Parties

  • Students who observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
  • Faculty and staff responsible for scheduling and delivering classes
  • Academic institutions within the SUNY and CUNY systems
  • Religious communities observing these holidays

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Current stage: Referred to the Higher Education Committee (January 31, 2025).
  • Legislative path (typical): If advanced, the bill would move through committee considerations (hearings and amendments), potential floor votes in the Assembly, and then, if passed, movement to the Senate and potential gubernatorial action. The provided information does not include a timeline beyond the initial referral.

Context and Related Legislation

  • Related Bills (prior sessions): A 6310, A 4709, A 3952. These references suggest prior or related efforts addressing accommodations for religious observances in higher education.
  • Sponsor: David McDonough is the primary sponsor; no additional co-sponsors are listed in the provided data.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Calendar Adjustments: Institutions would need to adjust academic calendars to ensure no classes are scheduled on the two holidays.
  • Academic Continuity: Schools would need to determine how to handle exams, labs, and other scheduled activities on or around these dates.
  • Equity and Accommodation: The bill advances a specific accommodation for Jewish religious observances; discussions may arise about broader accommodations for other religious holidays.
  • Implementation Details: The bill’s text would clarify enforcement, exemptions (if any), and how to handle calendars that already include remote or asynchronous options.
  • Fiscal/Administrative Impact: Possible administrative costs to modify schedules, notify students, and coordinate class rescheduling.

What to Watch For

  • Moves in the Higher Education Committee (hearings, amendments) and any revisions to scope, exemptions, or enforcement.
  • Potential alignment or conflict with existing institutional calendars and other holiday policies.
  • Any subsequent actions on related bills (A 6310, A 4709, A 3952) that may influence or precede A 4247.

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

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