Senate BillIntroduced
S 6617: Requires climate change instruction within the current established science curriculum; requires such instruction be taught in grades one through twelve.
What S 6617 does, verified January 8, 2026
The proposed law aims to require climate change education in public schools. The education law will be amended to include a new section that mandates climate change instruction within the existing science curriculum. This instruction will be taught in grades one through twelve in all public schools, starting from the first school year following certification by the commissioner. School authorities will be responsible for providing the necessary facilities, time, and place for the instruction, as well as learning aids and curriculum resource materials to support effective teaching and learning. The law will take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date it becomes a law, and schools will be required to implement the new curriculum by then.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: REFERRED TO EDUCATION (2026-01-07)Alert me
Quick answers about S 6617
- What is the current status of S 6617?
- As of January 8, 2026, S 6617 is recorded as "Introduced": it has been introduced and is waiting for its first committee hearing or floor vote. The last recorded action, on January 7, 2026, was "REFERRED TO EDUCATION".
- Did S 6617 pass?
- Not yet. S 6617 has been introduced and has not passed either house.
- Who wrote S 6617, and where is it now?
- S 6617 was authored by Sen. James Sanders. Its committee of record is Senate Education.
Author and sponsors
Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions2 total · showing 2
| Jan. 07, 2026 | REFERRED TO EDUCATION |
| Mar. 18, 2025 | REFERRED TO EDUCATION |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, March 18, 2025 · 294 words
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 6617 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN SENATE March 18, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring climate change education in public schools 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 819 to 2 read as follows: 3 § 819. Climate change education. 1. The commissioner shall create and 4 require climate change instruction within the current established 5 science curriculum. Such instruction shall be taught in grades one 6 through twelve in all public schools. 7 2. Schools shall begin teaching such climate change instruction in the 8 first school year following certification by the commissioner that such 9 instruction has been established. 10 3. School authorities shall provide the needed facilities, time and 11 place for the instruction set forth in this section and shall provide 12 learning aids and curriculum resource materials which contribute to 13 effective teaching methods and learning in education regarding climate 14 change. 15 § 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding 16 the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the 17 addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary 18 for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized 19 to be made and completed on or before such effective date. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD10132-01-5
Text of S 6617 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions