Establishes a maximum temperature in school buildings and indoor facilities

7 Co-sponsors

• Eric Adams
• Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
• Ruben Diaz
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Liz Krueger
• Bill Perkins
• José M. Serrano

BILL NUMBER:S3324D

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a maximum temperature in school buildings and indoor facilities

Purpose

To protect the health and safety of students by requiring that all school facilities establish a maximum temperature to ensure the health, safety and well being of students, faculty and staff.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends the education law by adding a new section 409-k to state that all common, union free, central, central high schools, city school districts, and boards of cooperative educational services shall establish policies prohibiting the occupiable, educational spaces in all school buildings and indoor facilities from use by students, faculty, and staff while such spaces are found to be ninety degrees Fahrenheit or greater.

Existing law

Current law provides for minimum temperatures in school buildings to ensure the health and safety of students, faculty and staff, but does not address maximum temperatures.

Justification

The recent heat wave that occurred in early June of 2008, and the class room conditions that ensued, prompted the introduction of this legislation. At that time, the heat wave resulted in classroom temperatures that ranged from 94 to 101 degrees inside many school buildings. In the city of Yonkers, several students passed out or became physically ill, while one teacher was sent to the hospital due to an asthma attack from the excessive heat.

School districts throughout the state routinely close during the winter months due to a lack of heat or dangerously cold climate/precipitation conditions, so students and students and teachers cannot be expected to endure similarly dangerous conditions that arise from extreme heat. Current law is not specific in this regard and leaves sole discretion for closing schools up to the school district, while conditions related to heating, lighting, ventilation, sanitation and health, fire, and accident protection are specifically legislated. By establishing a maximum temperature in schools, a school district will have clear cut guidelines for permitting classroom activity to continue, thereby ensuring the health and safety of students and school personnel.

Legislative history

2008 - S.8716 - Died Rules

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.