BILL NUMBER: S8802

SPONSOR: MAYER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend chapter 217 of the laws of 2015, amending the education
law relating to certified school psychologists and special education
services and programs for preschool children with handicapping condi-
tions, in relation to the effectiveness thereof

 
PURPOSE::

This bill would continue to allow approved multidisciplinary evaluation
programs to employ a certified school psychologist to conduct a multi-
disciplinary evaluation of a preschool child, infant or toddler having
or suspected of having a disability.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::

Section 1. Amends Section 3 of Chapter 217 of the laws of 2015 of the
education law relating to school psychologists and special education
services and programs for preschool children with handicapping condi-
              

tions, to extend the expiration date to June 30, 2024.

Section 2. Establishes an immediate effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION::

This bill extends for two years provisions of law for the evaluation of
children ages 3 to 5 years old for preschool special education services
and for children ages 0 to 2 years old under the early intervention
program. The current law expires on June 30, 2022. Over 40,000 children
throughout the state are currently provided services as a preschool
child with a disability through New York State approved 4410/preschool
programs and agencies. An additional 8,200 infants from birth through
age 2 are served through the Early Intervention System. The initial
evaluation of these children by a multi-disciplinary evaluation team is
a critical component to determining the appropriate needs and inter-
ventions for these young children. Research shows that proper determi-
nation of a child's learning needs and early intervention strategies to
address barriers to learning are critical determinants for positive
school outcomes and success. School psychologists provide psychological
assessments of children, understand child development, and inform effec-
tive educational interventions in the evaluation process and implementa-
tion of programs and services for preschool children and infants with
developmental delays.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::

Undetermined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE::

Immediately.