Education committee advances five bills, sends most to the floor

The standing committee on education met Feb. 10, 2026, and voted to advance five separate measures to further legislative consideration.

Senate Bill S.1111, sponsored by Sen. May, was presented as "an act to amend the Education Law" to create a single, streamlined certification process for programs that combine pre-kindergarten and daycare services. A motion to advance the bill was made and seconded; the committee recorded a voice approval and the bill was sent to the finance committee for review.

Senate Bill S.1424, sponsored by Sen. Liu, was read as an amendment to the Education Law prohibiting discrimination of students on school property or at school functions based on religious attire, clothing, or facial hair. During the brief floor discussion one attendee voiced opposition, saying, "Hope to fail, madam chair." The motion to advance S.1424 was seconded and recorded as moving to the Senate floor.

Senate Bill S.3071-A, sponsored by Sen. Sanders, would establish a task force on safety in school transportation and provide for appeal processes upon expiration of the task force's provisions. Committee members raised no substantive questions; the motion to advance passed by voice vote.

Senate Bill S.6273-A, sponsored by Sen. Bailey, would authorize the commissioner of education to conduct a study on the number of children who are caregivers and how caregiving affects their education. A member asked for clarification about the bill's subject before the motion was seconded and the bill moved to the floor.

Senate Bill S.6655, sponsored by Sen. Griffo, would allow students attending agricultural learning events to be recorded as in attendance at school. The committee approved the bill by voice vote and forwarded it to the floor.

The chair noted students from the "4201 schools" were present and made the committee's annual report available to members. With the agenda completed, the chair adjourned the meeting.

Votes were taken by voice in committee; specific roll-call tallies are not recorded in the transcript. Where the record indicates a bill was advanced, the article states only that the committee voted to move the measure as recorded in the meeting transcript.