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History
- Referred to education
Companion bill
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Authorizes school district property to be used for not-for-profit dental clinics providing care to families in the district
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7137
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing the use of schoolhouses and grounds by not-for-profit dental clinics
Purpose
To add not-for-profit health clinics and dental clinics to the list of authorized uses of school grounds upon the approval of the trustees or board of education of a school district.
Summary
Sections 1 and 2 of the bill amend section 414 of the Education Law to add health clinics and dental clinics to the list of uses which may be authorized on school grounds by the trustees or board of education of a school district. Such clinics serve families of the school district.
Section 3 establishes the effective date for the legislation.
Existing law
Section 414 of the Education Law lists many uses of school grounds which may be authorized by the trustees or board of education of a school district, including public libraries, teaching of the arts, recreation and physical activities, civic forums, and child care services. This bill would extend that list to allow not-for-profit health clinics and dental clinics on school grounds at local option.
Justification
Not-for-profit health clinics and dental clinics have been operating in many New York schools and have been promoted by federal, state and local public health agencies as sound public health policy and practice. However, current law is unclear as to whether such clinics may be authorized by school districts.
For many children and their families, access to health and dental care is unreachable because of geographic, economic, language and cultural barriers. This is compounded by a shortage of health and dental professionals in many areas of the state. Programs such as the North Country Children's Clinic are critical to promoting dental health to underserved populations in the state and struggle with operational costs. Many of these programs use portable dental equipment to provide dental services in school settings.
This legislation would make it clear in the law, that important health and dental programs could be provided in those school districts who wished to allow it.
Legislative history
S.2778A of 2004 - Passed Senate
Fiscal implications
None. Any services provided would be paid for by existing federal, state or other programs and would be operated on a not-for-profit basis.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.