A 129: Directs the commissioner of education to change the name of the state high school equivalency diploma, formerly known as the general education development (GED) program, to the Excelsior diploma.
The bill aims to change the name of the general education development diploma to the Excelsior Diploma. This change will be reflected in the education law, the correction law, and other relevant state laws. The Excelsior Diploma will be a recognized equivalent to a high school diploma, and individuals who earn it will be eligible for certain benefits, such as increased job prospects and education and training opportunities. The bill also updates various definitions and regulations related to vocational and skills training, education, and employment. Specifically, it defines a "vocational and skills training facility" and outlines the services and programs that such facilities will provide to incarcerated individuals. Additionally, the bill amends several city laws to reflect the new name of the diploma and to ensure consistency with state laws. For example, it changes the definition of…
| Apr. 27, 2026 | amended on third reading 129c |
| Apr. 23, 2026 | advanced to third reading cal.346 |
| Apr. 22, 2026 | reported |
| Jan. 07, 2026 | referred to education |
| May. 27, 2025 | reported referred to rules |
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 129 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled) January 8, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. ZACCARO, CRUZ, DAVILA, HEVESI, DeSTEFANO, MANKTE- LOW, RAMOS, CHANDLER-WATERMAN, JONES, BROOK-KRASNY -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. REYES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to changing the name of the general education development diploma to the Excelsior high school diploma The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a 2 new subdivision 63 to read as follows: 3 63. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations to change 4 the name of the state high school equivalency diploma, as established 5 pursuant to the commissioner's regulations, to the Excelsior high school 6 diploma. 7 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall 8 have become a law. Effective immediately, the amendment, addition and/or 9 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of 10 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed 11 on or before such effective date. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD00560-01-5