NYC Council Introduction 684

intro.nyc/0684-2026 2026-2029 Legislative Session Mayor's Desk for Signature
Study on how language access needs and geographic location affect access to early elementary gifted and talented programs.
Sponsored by Susan Zhuang
Introduced: February 12, 2026

This bill requires the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, in consultation with the Department of Education and community-based early childhood organizations, to study how language access needs and geographic location affect preschool-age children’s access to early elementary gifted and talented programs. The study must evaluate barriers families with limited English proficiency face in learning about, preparing for, and enrolling in these programs, as well as assess the availability of translation, interpretation, and outreach supports. It must also identify disparities in eligibility, nomination, and enrollment by language group and geographic area. A public report with findings and recommendations to improve equitable access would be issued within 12 months.

Approved by Committee October 7, 2026

Committee on Education Votes 12:0:0
Eric Dinowitz (Affirmative)
Gale A. Brewer (Affirmative)
Carmen N. De La Rosa (Affirmative)
Amanda C. Farías (Non-voting)
Jennifer Gutiérrez (Affirmative)
Rita C. Joseph (Affirmative)
Shekar Krishnan (Affirmative)
Linda Lee (Affirmative)
Farah N. Louis (Affirmative)
Mercedes Narcisse (Affirmative)
Lynn C. Schulman (Affirmative)
Phil Wong (Affirmative)
Susan Zhuang (Affirmative)

Approved by Council October 8, 2026

Votes 47:0:0
Julie Menin (Affirmative)
Shaun Abreu (Affirmative)
Shirley Aldebol (Affirmative)
Joann Ariola (Medical)
Alexa Avilés (Affirmative)
Chris Banks (Affirmative)
Gale A. Brewer (Affirmative)
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (Affirmative)
Tiffany L. Cabán (Affirmative)
David M. Carr (Affirmative)
Carmen N. De La Rosa (Affirmative)
Eric Dinowitz (Affirmative)
Elsie Encarnación (Affirmative)
Harvey D. Epstein (Affirmative)
Amanda C. Farías (Affirmative)
Simcha Felder (Affirmative)
Oswald J. Feliz (Affirmative)
James F. Gennaro (Affirmative)
Jennifer Gutiérrez (Affirmative)
Shahana K. Hanif (Medical)
Ty Hankerson (Affirmative)
Kamillah Hanks (Affirmative)
Crystal Hudson (Affirmative)
Rita C. Joseph (Affirmative)
Shekar Krishnan (Affirmative)
Linda Lee (Affirmative)
Farah N. Louis (Affirmative)
Virginia Maloney (Affirmative)
Christopher Marte (Affirmative)
Darlene Mealy (Medical)
Frank Morano (Affirmative)
Mercedes Narcisse (Affirmative)
Sandy Nurse (Affirmative)
Chi A. Ossé (Affirmative)
Vickie Paladino (Affirmative)
Lincoln Restler (Affirmative)
Kevin C. Riley (Affirmative)
Yusef Salaam (Affirmative)
Pierina Ana Sanchez (Affirmative)
Justin E. Sanchez (Affirmative)
Kayla Santosuosso (Affirmative)
Lynn C. Schulman (Affirmative)
Althea V. Stevens (Affirmative)
Shanel Thomas-Henry (Affirmative)
Sandra Ung (Affirmative)
Inna Vernikov (Affirmative)
Nantasha M. Williams (Affirmative)
Carl Wilson (Affirmative)
Julie Won (Absent)
Phil Wong (Affirmative)
Susan Zhuang (Affirmative)