Jun 30, 2020

‘Graduation’ bill passes state Legislature

Legislation (A-4227) that would ensure insurance coverage for recent graduates and school employees who attend graduation ceremonies this summer passed both the state Senate (38-0) and state Assembly (73-0) on June 29.

The bill, sponsored by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19, would provide coverage through the school’s insurance policy for recently graduated individuals and school employees who attend their school-sponsored graduations.

Several amendments were added to the bill to clarify who is covered and to which insurance coverage they would be entitled. As amended, this bill provides that individuals attending school-sponsored graduation exercises held by a school district or charter school high school between July 1, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2020, who have graduated from the school or were employed by the school in the immediately preceding school year will be covered under a school’s insurance policies: students would be covered under the accident insurance and the general liability insurance, while employees would be covered under the general liability insurance. 

The bill now heads to the governor. It is expected that he will sign the legislation.