S 717: Exempts Wantagh union free school district from laws, rules, or regulations regarding the use of indigenous names, mascots, and logos.

New York · Senate · 2025–2026 Legislative Session · last verified May 7, 2026

What S 717 does, verified May 7, 2026

The Wantagh Union Free School District in New York is exempt from any laws, rules, or regulations related to the use of indigenous names, mascots, and logos. This exemption applies to Part 123 of the New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations. The exemption takes effect immediately, allowing the district to use indigenous names, mascots, and logos without any restrictions.

Bill journey

1IntroducedCurrent

2In CommitteePending

3First Chamber FloorPending

4Second ChamberPending

5GovernorPending

6ChapteredPending

Last action: REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (2026-05-05)Alert me

Author and sponsors

Sen. Steven RhoadsAuthor · New York State Senate

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Recent actions4 total · showing 4

May. 05, 2026	REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Mar. 17, 2026	NOTICE OF COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION - REQUESTED
Jan. 07, 2026	REFERRED TO EDUCATION
Jan. 08, 2025	REFERRED TO EDUCATION

Latest bill textIntroduced version, January 8, 2025 · 175 words

    STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 717 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN SENATE (Prefiled) January 8, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sen. RHOADS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education AN ACT exempting the Wantagh union free school district from any law, rule, or regulation relating to the use of indigenous names, mascots, and logos The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contra- 2 ry the Wantagh union free school district shall be exempt from any law, 3 rule, or regulation relating to the use of indigenous names, mascots, 4 and logos, including but not limited to part 123 of title 8 of the New 5 York codes, rules and regulations. 6 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD02634-01-5

Text of S 717 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions