New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation that requires state officials to monitor Holocaust education in schools; antisemitism remains at record levels in New York, and surveys show a lack of knowledge among young people. The bill was signed into law on August 10 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City.

The law directs the state’s education department to determine whether school districts are in compliance with Holocaust education requirements. The education department will need to determine also how noncompliant schools can meet the requirements.

New York State has mandated Holocaust education in schools since 1994, but surveys have found that many young people are ignorant of the Nazi genocide. A survey by the Claims Conference, which represents Jews seeking compensation for the Holocaust, found that 63% of young Americans and 60% of New Yorkers did not know that 6,000,000 Jews were murdered in the genocide. In New York, 58% could not name a single concentration camp, 19% believed Jews caused the Holocaust, and 43% did not know what Auschwitz was.

In addition to the education law, Hochul signed two other pieces of legislation at the event, both related to the Holocaust. The second bill requires museums to disclose the origins of artwork that were stolen under the Nazi regime. Some museums in New York display stolen artwork without acknowledging its provenance, the governor’s office said. The third bill requires the state’s Department of Financial Services to publicize banks that voluntarily waive wire fees for Holocaust reparation payments to ease financial stress for survivors. About a third of New York state’s 40,000 survivors live below the poverty line. In April, Hochul announced $2.6 million in funding to support the state’s Holocaust survivors.