Requires parents of students disciplined for repeated disruptive activity to participate in programs with students

1 Co-sponsor

• Barbara Clark

2 Multi-sponsors

• Dov Hikind
• Nettie Mayersohn

BILL NUMBER:A10485

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to assisting the parents of children who disrupt the education process, in efforts to curtail such misbehavior

Summary of specific provisions

This bill amends the education law by adding a new paragraph f to subdi- vision 2 of Section 3212 to require parents and/or guardians of students disciplined for repeated disruptive activity, violent acts and/or weap- ons-related offenses to participate, when so directed by the courts or the school district attended by such students, in parenting support, counseling, educational programs, and/or in community service with such students. The bill also requires the employers of working parents/guardians to provide up to three days of paid leave per year to parents/guardians for purposes of participating in such programs.

Justification

In growing numbers, parents/guardians, by choice or lack of social support systems, are not involved in the education of their children. This lack of parent-school support systems has had a negative impact on many students. While our society has long held parents responsible for their children's shelter, clothing, food, medical care, general safety and welfare, society has not held them responsible for their children's behavior in the school environment. Increasing violence in our schools now makes it necessary for parents to assume greater responsibility for their children's behavior and social development, and to be held accountable when that responsibility is abdicated, if such violence is to be stopped. This bill, by allowing the courts and school districts to require the parents/guardians of students who are disciplined for repeated disruptive actions, violent acts and/or weapons-related offenses; to participate in parenting support, counseling or educational programs, or to participate in community service with their children, and by mandating paid leave for working parents to participate in such programs, would provide a means by which this responsibility may be met.

Prior legislative history

A.7674 (1996), A.2789 (1997-98), A.793 (1999-00), A.4327 (2001-02), A5450 (2003-04), A.3964 (2005)

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.