What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Held for consideration in education
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Establishes meetings of the directors of institutions for the instruction of the deaf and the blind shall be held in conformity with the open meetings law
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor William T. Stachowski
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A493
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to estab- lishing meetings of the directors of institutions for the instruction of the deaf and the blind shall be held in conformity with the open meet- ings law
Purpose
To ensure full transparency in board meetings held for insti- tutions of the deaf and blind
Summary of provisions
Adds a new subdivision 3 to section 4201 of the education law to ensure every meeting of the directors of an institution for the instruction of the deaf and the blind shall be held in conformi- ty with the provisions of article seven of the public officers law.
Justification
Schools covered by section 4201 of the education law are private schools which are in large part funded by public funds. Tuition for students attending these schools is paid for with State money.
Other state funded institutions are required to have meetings that are open for public scrutiny. Unfortunately, because of the private nature of these schools, their board meetings have no such requirement. Protection of the taxpayers' wallets can only be accomplished by opening up these meetings. A change in law is needed to accomplish this goal.
Other issues have come to light that further illustrate the need for this legislation. Recent decisions and other administrative actions made at at least one of these schools have come under public scrutiny because of the lack of transparency regarding decision. Clarifications are need to enhance the public's ability to oversee taxpayer dollars.
Prior legislative history
05/15/08 A11091 referred to education
Fiscal implication
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.