BILL NUMBER: S1558

SPONSOR: ADDABBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing transporta-
tion for children with handicapping conditions

 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to provide suitable transportation up to a
distance of fifty miles to and from a nonpublic school which a child
with a handicapping condition attends if such child has been so identi-
fied by the local committee on special education for the purpose of
receiving series or programs similar to specifically education programs
recommended for such a child by the local committee on special educa-
tion.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one paragraph d of subdivision 4 of section 4402 of the educa-
tion law, as amended by chapter 646 of the laws of 1992, is amended.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Currently, students with special education needs who attend schools
geared for their specific needs have been unjustly denied transportation
because it was determined that their program was not "similar" to the
special education program recommended by the Committee on Special Educa-
tion (CSE). These students undergo thorough and extensive testing under
highly skilled professionals to ascertain their educational needs. As a
result of the testing, the schools they attend provide the instruction
they require. The proposed amendment resolves the issue of unwarranted
transportation denial, and allows the students to receive the transpor-
tation they lawfully deserve.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019: S.4168 - Referred to Senate Education Committee.

2020: S.4168 - Referred to Senate Education Committee.

2021: S.419 - Referred to Senate Education Committee.

2022: S. 419 - Referred to Senate Education Committee.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.