Provides for apportionment of state monies to nonpublic schools for the cost of asbestos inspections

BILL NUMBER:S2263

Title of bill

An act to amend chapter 507 of the laws of 1974, relating to providing for the apportionment of state monies for nonpublic schools, in relation to providing for an additional apportionment for asbestos inspections

Summary

This bill would amend chapter 507 of the laws of 1974 to provide that non-public schools are reimbursed for administrative costs incurred which relate to federally mandated asbestos inspections as required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Act of 1986 (AHERA). This bill would add asbestos inspections to the provisions of the Mandated Services Act which already includes the administrative costs associated with attendance reports, PEP test reports, Regents Competency and Examination Programs.

Justification

All schools, public and non-public are under strict federal mandates to inspect for asbestos and to eliminate any conditions hazardous to health. While Chapter 262 of the Laws of 1988 provides $4 million for inspections, non-public schools are not reimbursed for the expenses incurred in completing the necessary reports and other paperwork associated with the mandates. This bill would allow for state reimbursement to these costs under the same section of law that provides for the costs of complying with other mandates such as attendance reports, data system reports and several reports associated with student examinations.

Fiscal implication

This bill is estimated, to have a cost of approximately $400,000.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.