The bill, H.480, aims to adjust miscellaneous laws related to education including topics such as school safety, virtual learning, Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) grants, Secretary of Education vacancies, education on military related opportunities, cell phone free schools, independent school moratorium, cardiac emergency response plans, reading proficiency aid, tuition benefits for National Guard members, expanded access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, and school library policies.

The Details:

• An amendment to extend start dates of the school safety bill due to school unpreparedness for implementation.
  
  
• Repeal of required data reporting of school safety incidents to state.
  
  
• Updated the list of accredited postsecondary schools to prevent diploma scams.
  
  
• Legitimizes virtual learning opportunities by requiring access for students if certain requirements, such as enrollment and qualified educators, are met.
  
  
• Now allowing the BOCES to apply for a grant before the creation of an article of agreement, a switch from the current law.
  
  
• Expanded the Flexible Pathways initiative by now promoting military-related opportunities in addition to other opportunities.
  
  
• In the event of a Secretary of Education position vacancy, the State Board of Education must begin a nationwide search to fill the vacancy within 60 days and can request funds from the Agency of Education to do so.
  
  
• An effective cardiac emergency plan has been integrated to standardize school responses to cardiac emergencies.
  
  
• Moratorium on approving additional independent schools. This will not affect conversion to non-profit tax status by a current independent school or the approval status of that school.
  
  
• The “Cell Phone Free Schools” policies in H.54 were added to H.480 by the Senate Education Committee.
  
  
• Addresses some reading ability gaps by providing supplemental funding and education for students with low reading proficiency scores.
  
  
• Expanded access to CTE programs outside of a student’s district if the desired program is full or a desired comparable program is not offered.
  
  
• Expanded tuition benefits for National Guard members that allow for generous postsecondary education opportunities.
  
  
• The section regarding school library policies is meant to affirm the freedom to read by upholding principles related to free speech, diversity, civil rights, and resisting censorship. Schools will be required to create policies that uphold these principles, especially in relation to ideological or political challenges to materials.

Analysis:

The bill, H.480, aids in the clarification and implementation of miscellaneous education related legislation. While the implementation timeline for the school safety bill was assessed as being unrealistic, it does leave schools more vulnerable to safety related issues by allowing them to go longer without these updated plans in place. Additionally, by repealing mandatory reporting of school safety threats, we are leaving gaps in data transparency. Although the objective was to enhance student privacy, it might have been safer to find a balanced solution rather than completely eliminating data reporting requirements.

Promoting military opportunities could be construed negatively if not enough effort is put into providing an equitable array of alternative opportunities, however, it will be best left to the reader to interpret their stance on this. On another military related note, providing generous tuition benefits to National Guard members may incentivize students to enlist and provide many with postsecondary opportunities that may not have been open to them previously.

On a positive note, this bill brings about much needed modernization for topics such as virtual learning, an issue that has become even more relevant in recent years. Improving CTE access will aid students in their future career goals, allowing them to pursue subjects they are interested in with fewer barriers.

Finally, cellphone free policies will aid students by boosting focus and allowing teachers to focus on their jobs. Cellphone free policies could also help “level the playing field” so to speak when considering that some students may still encounter income barriers to newer technologies.

Current Status:

The bill was signed into law by the Governor on June 27, 2025.

Last updated: 7/8/2025