Bill
A 5863
Bill A 5863 offers free tuition at SUNY, CUNY, and community colleges for active volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, and auxiliary police, boosting community service and education.
Bill Number: A 5863
Title: Relates to providing free SUNY, CUNY, and community college tuition to active volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical services providers, and volunteer auxiliary police officers
Status: Referred to Higher Education
Introduced: February 24, 2025
Classification: Bill
Bill A 5863 aims to support and incentivize volunteer service in emergency response roles by providing free tuition at State University of New York (SUNY), City University of New York (CUNY), and community colleges. The bill recognizes the critical contributions of active volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical services (EMS) providers, and volunteer auxiliary police officers to their communities. By alleviating the financial burden of higher education, the bill seeks to encourage more individuals to engage in these vital volunteer roles.
Tuition Waiver: The bill proposes a tuition waiver for eligible individuals who are active in the specified volunteer roles. This waiver would cover the full cost of tuition at SUNY, CUNY, and community colleges.
Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for the tuition waiver, applicants must demonstrate active volunteer status in one of the following roles:
Application Process: The bill outlines a process for applicants to verify their volunteer status and apply for the tuition waiver, although specific details regarding the application process are not provided in the current version.
The implementation of Bill A 5863 is expected to have several significant impacts:
Increased Enrollment: By providing free tuition, the bill may lead to increased enrollment in higher education institutions among active volunteers, potentially enhancing their skills and knowledge.
Support for Volunteer Services: The financial incentive may encourage more individuals to join volunteer emergency services, thereby strengthening community response capabilities.
Community Benefits: Enhanced training and education for volunteers could lead to improved emergency response outcomes, benefiting the communities they serve.
Current Status: As of February 24, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Higher Education Committee for further consideration.
Related Legislation: This bill is related to prior-session Bill S 9033 and has a companion bill, S 3139, which may address similar issues or provide additional context.
In summary, Bill A 5863 seeks to honor and support the commitment of volunteer emergency responders by making higher education more accessible, thereby fostering a stronger and more prepared community response network.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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