S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  3457

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 25, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced by M. of A. TITUS, CLARK, JACOBS, WRIGHT, LAVINE, MAGNARELLI,
  PEOPLES-STOKES,  JAFFEE, AUBRY, BOYLAND, ROBINSON, BENEDETTO -- Multi-
  Sponsored by -- M. of A.  CAHILL, COLTON, FARRELL, V. LOPEZ,  MILLMAN,
  NOLAN,  O'DONNELL,  PERRY,  RIVERA, WEISENBERG, ZEBROWSKI -- read once
  and referred to the Committee on Education

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to a prenatal care initi-
  ative

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Section  3641 of the education law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
  2-A. PRENATAL CARE INITIATIVE. A. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL, UPON  APPLI-
CATION  THEREFOR  AND  WITHIN  AMOUNTS  APPROPRIATED  FOR  SUCH PURPOSE,
PROVIDE GRANTS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND BOARDS OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES WHICH ARE DESIGNED WITH THE INTENT OF  IMPLEMENTING  PROCEDURES
BY  WHICH  SCHOOL PERSONNEL MAY ASSIST PREGNANT STUDENTS IN PLANNING FOR
THEIR CONTINUED EDUCATION DURING AND AFTER THEIR PREGNANCY.
  B.  SUCH  SCHOOL  DISTRICTS  AND  BOARDS  OF  COOPERATIVE  EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES  SHALL  DESIGNATE A FACULTY MEMBER WHO SHALL SERVE AS A SUPPORT
PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR DISSEMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT INFORMATION AND  FOR
THE  REFERRAL MECHANISM FOR STUDENTS IN NEED OF PRENATAL HEALTH CARE AND
RELATED SERVICES. SUCH DESIGNATED  FACULTY  MEMBER  SHALL,  AS  MUCH  AS
LEGALLY  AND  REASONABLY POSSIBLE, INVOLVE THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF THE
PREGNANT STUDENT IN THE PRENATAL HEALTH CARE CHOICES AVAILABLE  TO  SUCH
STUDENT. PARENTAL OR GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT SHOULD BE SOUGHT TO THE EXTENT
POSSIBLE  WITHOUT  UNDULY  DELAYING  THE  STUDENT'S RECEIPT OF NECESSARY
HEALTH CARE AND RELATED SERVICES. ALL SUCH SERVICES SHALL BE COORDINATED
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT FEASIBLE WITH SERVICES AVAILABLE IN  OTHER  STATE,
LOCAL AND FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS.
  C.  EDUCATIONAL  CHOICES  SHOULD  ALSO  BE  PRESENTED  TO THE PREGNANT
STUDENT.  STUDENTS SHOULD BE INFORMED OF THEIR OPTION TO REMAIN IN THEIR

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD01728-01-3
              

A. 3457                             2

PRESENT SCHOOL, TRANSFER TO ANOTHER HIGH SCHOOL OR PROGRAM OR TO RECEIVE
HOME INSTRUCTION.
  D.  PREGNANT  STUDENTS  OF  COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO
CONTINUE TO ATTEND SCHOOL UNLESS MEDICAL REASONS INDICATE THE  CONTRARY.
IF  THERE  IS AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE, REGULAR ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES SHOULD
BE FOLLOWED.
  E. THE PREGNANT STUDENT AND HER PARENT OR GUARDIAN SHOULD BE  PROVIDED
WITH  INFORMATION  WHICH  WOULD ENABLE SUCH STUDENT TO SEEK THE SERVICES
NEEDED TO ASSIST IN THE CONTINUATION OF SUCH STUDENT'S EDUCATION.
  F. EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE  EDUCATIONAL  SERVICES
SHALL  COMPILE  MONTHLY  REPORTS  ON  THE  PROGRESS OF PREGNANT STUDENTS
COVERED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.