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S4936Senate2009-2010 SessionSame asA493

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

Sponsor William T. StachowskiSD-58Affects Education
Status
In Senate Committee
Education
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Education

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Who cares

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
William T. Stachowski

Senator · Senate District 58

No co-sponsors yet.

History

  1. Referred to education
  2. 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.

A493Assembly

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 Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Sam Hoyt

Full text

The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.

Sponsor's memo

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing 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

Purpose

To ensure full transparency in board meetings held for institutions 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 conformity with the provisions of article seven of the public officers law.

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 implications

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.