Allows students attending agricultural learning events to be counted as in attendance at school; defines "agricultural learning events" as including FFA events and 4-H programs.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A8590
SPONSOR: Blankenbush
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to allowing students
attending agricultural learning events to be recorded as in attendance
at school
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Allows students attending agricultural learning events to be counted as
in attendance at school
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3207-b
to read as follows: School attendance for agricultural learning events.
1. A school district may permit an enrolled student, with the consent of
such student's parent, guardian, or other person in parental relation,
to attend an agricultural learning event. For the purposes of attend-
ance, any student so serving while school is in session shall be
recorded as in attendance.
2. For purposes of this section, an "agricultural learning event" shall
include, but not be limited to, scheduled event of state future farmers
of America (1-TA) associations, the national future farmers of America
(1-PA) organizations, and 4-H programs as part of organized competitions
or exhibitions.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation mirrors HB 3814 passed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
in 2023 to allow students attending agricultural learning events such as
1-44A and 4-H programs to be credited as their participation towards
school attendance. New York State is a leader in the agricultural indus-
try, and to help ensure the growth of the industry, we must invest in
our future generations of agricultural leaders. This legislation would
encourage students involved in the FFA and 4-H to continue their partic-
ipation in the program while not be penalized for an unexcused absence
from school.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8590
IN ASSEMBLY
January 12, 2024
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BLANKENBUSH, GRAY, MILLER -- read once and
referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to allowing students
attending agricultural learning events to be recorded as in attendance
at school
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 3207-b
2 to read as follows:
3 § 3207-b. School attendance for agricultural learning events. 1. A
4 school district may permit an enrolled student, with the consent of such
5 student's parent, guardian, or other person in parental relation, to
6 attend an agricultural learning event. For the purposes of attendance,
7 any student so serving while school is in session shall be recorded as
8 in attendance.
9 2. For purposes of this section, an "agricultural learning event"
10 shall include, but not be limited to, scheduled event of state future
11 farmers of America (FFA) associations, the national future farmers of
12 America (FFA) organization, and 4-H programs as part of organized compe-
13 titions or exhibitions.
14 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13830-01-3