New York S161: Expands the eligibility period for indigent legal service attorneys to receive certain loan forgiveness and increases loan reimbursement for certain attorneys who work in legal services with indigent clients

What the bill says

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the New York state district attorney and indigent legal services attorney loan forgiveness program.

From the amended text, February 2, 2026:

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the New York state district attorney and indigent legal services attorney loan forgiveness program THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Paragraph b of subdivision 2 of section 679-e of the education law, as amended by section 1 of part VV of chapter 56 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows: b. "Eligible period" means the [six-year] EIGHT-YEAR period after completion of the [third] SECOND year and before the commencement of the [tenth] ELEVENTH year of employment as an eligible attorney. For purposes of this section, all periods of time during which an admitted attorney was employed as an eligible attorney and all periods of time during which a law school graduate awaiting admission to the New York state bar was employed by a prosecuting [or] AGENCY, criminal defense agency, OR NON-PROFIT INDIGENT CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION as permitted by section four hundred eighty-four of the judiciary law shall be combined. § 2. Paragraph d of subdivision 2 of section 679-e of the education law, as amended by section 1 of part VV of chapter 56 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as matter in brackets [ ] is old law …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Jessica Ramos (D, 13) · primary sponsor
• Joseph Addabbo (D, 15)
• Jabari Brisport (D, 25)
• Samra Brouk (D, 55)
• Cordell Cleare (D, 30)
• Leroy Comrie (D, 14)
• Jeremy Cooney (D, 56)
• Patricia Fahy (D, 46)
• Simcha Felder (D, 22)
• Nathalia Fernandez (D, 34)
• Kristen Gonzalez (D, 59)
• Andrew Gounardes (D, 26)

Latest actions

1. May 4, 2026: REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
2. May 4, 2026: DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
3. May 4, 2026: PASSED SENATE
4. March 10, 2026: ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
5. March 9, 2026: 2ND REPORT CAL.
6. March 5, 2026: 1ST REPORT CAL.455
7. February 10, 2026: REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
8. February 2, 2026: PRINT NUMBER 161A
9. February 2, 2026: AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION
10. January 7, 2026: REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Votes

• FLOOR Vote (May 4, 2026): 59 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Senate Finance Committee: COMMITTEE Vote (March 5, 2026): 22 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Finance Committee Vote (March 5, 2026): 22 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Higher Education Committee: COMMITTEE Vote (February 10, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Higher Education Committee (February 10, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
• FLOOR Vote (May 13, 2025): 61 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is S161?

S161 is a bill in the New York Legislature (2025-2026 General Assembly): Expands the eligibility period for indigent legal service attorneys to receive certain loan forgiveness and increases loan reimbursement for certain attorneys who work in legal services with indigent clients.

What does S161 do?

In its own words: An act to amend the education law, in relation to the New York state district attorney and indigent legal services attorney loan forgiveness program.

What is the status of S161?

In committee as of May 4, 2026. Latest action: REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION (May 4, 2026).

Who sponsored S161?

Jessica Ramos (D, 13), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for S161?

On the New York Legislature website: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S161