The New York State Assembly recently passed Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein’s (D-Bayside) bill A.6528-A, which allows military families relocating to New York State to enroll their children in school at the same time as their peers, prior to physically arriving in the neighborhood. Assemblyman Braunstein’s district includes Fort Totten, located in Bay Terrace, Queens. 

The Defense Department estimates that the average child in a military family will move six to nine times during a school career. Over 185,000 military children move between schools annually, causing them to potentially miss important registration, application or extracurricular enrollment periods within their new school community. If enacted, the bill would make New York the twenty-fifth state which has enacted a policy for military children to help ensure their uninterrupted education and timely graduation.

In a memorandum of support for the policy in the bill, the United States Department of Defense wrote that, “With over 16,500 active duty military school-age children attending school in this state, New York is in a unique position to have a positive effect on the educational experiences of military children and families by enacting this legislation. We are grateful to Assemblyman Ed Braunstein, who represents Fort Totten, for helping shepherd this important legislation through the Assembly.” The bill passes the Assembly as the country celebrates Military Appreciation Month and commemorates Memorial Day this May.

“As we prepare to honor the servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country this Memorial Day, I’m proud to advance legislation that seeks to alleviate the challenges military members and their families face due to frequent moves,” said Assemblyman Edward Braunstein. “This important legislation would help offer military children the best possible educational experience while they and their families call New York State home.”

This bill passed the Assembly on May 19th and the companion bill is being carried in the New York State Senate by Senator James Skoufis.