Yesterday, the New York City Council passed Councilman Justin Brannan’s bill to expand New York City’s Non-Public School Security Reimbursement Program. NPS allows private and religious schools to be reimbursed for the cost of hiring and compensating security guards at a prevailing wage rate. Brannan’s bill expands the program to smaller schools than those originally eligible under the 2015 law and increases the total maximum reimbursement funds available to schools.

NPS originally applied only to non-public schools with 300 or more students. Schools with 300-499 could be reimbursed for the cost of one security guard, schools with at least 500 students for two, and larger schools for an additional guard per additional 500 students.

Councilman Brannan’s bill, Intro 532-A, expands the program to much smaller non-public schools in the city by reducing the minimum enrollment number to 150 students. To account for the additional schools newly eligible for NPS, the bill also increases the total maximum available reimbursement fund from $19.8 million to $35 million per school year. The Council estimates that the expanded program could cover nearly 100,000 students at nearly 400 newly eligible schools. Brannan is proud to expand the program and use it to keep even more New York City school kids safe.

“We need our students and teachers to always be protected in a safe learning environment. That’s non-negotiable. It doesn’t matter what type of school their kids attend, public or private, every New York City parent deserves the peace of mind that comes with knowing their children are safe while in school,” Councilman Brannan said. “The overwhelming majority of smaller, non-public schools simply can’t afford security guards. Now they won’t have to worry. I’m grateful for the families, school communities, and all the stakeholders who got us here, and to Speaker Adams and all my colleagues for joining me on this issue and getting it done. The existing NPS program has worked effectively, and the smallest non-public schools – which often face greater financial limitations than their larger counterparts – have been advocating for inclusion in the program for years.”

Brannan’s bill is supported by Teach NYS, which believes that the expansion of NPS is especially important for protecting students at religious schools in the wake of increasing faith-based crimes and violence.

“The passage of this critical expansion of Local Law 2 represents a big step in protecting more of our students, including those that attend Jewish, Islamic, and Catholic schools – which is especially critical at this time when faith-based crimes are at an all-time high,” said Teach NYS Executive Director Sydney Altfield. “We at Teach NYS applaud Councilmember Brannan for his leadership and the full council for recognizing that ALL children – regardless of where they go to school and the size of their school- have the basic right to learn in safety.”

“Schools in New York City are about to become safer today with the passage of Int. 532-A.  Forty-one Catholic schools throughout Brooklyn and Queens, and many other nonpublic schools will now have security guards to help protect their students, staff, faculty and principals,” said Deacon Kevin McCormack, Catholic Schools Superintendent, Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens. “Thank you to Councilmember Justin Brannan for his leadership in making this bill a reality.  Thank you to the coalition of Catholic, Jewish and Islamic schools who worked on this tremendous effort and to all the Councilmembers who will vote to support this measure. Today politics and budget were put aside, and a commitment was made to the common good of the students of our City.”

“On behalf of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York, we thank the city council for passing legislation that will enhance the safety of our schoolchildren by making 28 additional Archdiocesan schools eligible for security guards,” said Sister Mary Grace Walsh, Superintendent of Schools, Archdiocese of New York. “This important step ensures protection for previously ineligible schools, and we, along with our faculty, parents, and students, are deeply grateful for their actions and commitment to the well-being of our children.”

Having passed through the Council by a veto-proof majority vote, NPS expansions made by Brannan’s bill will be in effect for the start of the fall 2025 school year.