Authorizes the use of school facilities by not-for-profit or charitable organizations for the operation of after-school programs

3 Co-sponsors

• Martin Malavé Dilan
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Diane J. Savino

BILL NUMBER:S2327

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to use of school facilities by not-for-profit and charitable organizations for after-school programs

Purpose or general idea of bill

To allow not-for-profit and charitable organizations to have access to school facilities in each community school district or regular school district to sponsor after-school programs. Such programs must present some form of educational instruction, academic material, or physical fitness activity.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: Amends the Education Law to add a new section 414(1) (1) to authorize school districts to permit not-for-profit and charitable organizations to sponsor after school programs on school grounds that provide educational instruction or physical education.

Section 2: Amends Education Law section 414(2) to permit such school districts to provide such school space at either no or a minimal fee as long as educational or physical education programs are being provided.

Sections 3 and 4: Amends both Education Law sections 2590-h (27) to add to the authority of the Chancellor of the New York City School District the authority to allow a not-for-profit or charitable organization to offer after school programs on school grounds as long as such programs provide some form of educational programming or physical education. The District may charge no or a minimal fee as long as such programs are educational or promote physical fitness.

Justification

This bill allows not-for-profit and charitable organizations access to school facilities to carry out their after school programs. These programs offer young people a chance to improve their social development and promote physical fitness in a safe and stimulating environment. A number of after school programs operate within school facilities and they receive afterschool academic support, sports and cultural programs. This bill merely encourages more organizations, such as not-for-profit and charitable organizations, to become an additional source of sponsors to conduct such beneficial after school programs for our children.

This bill will authorize school districts to expand their ability to conduct after school programs that keep children off the streets in an unsupervised manner and promote further academic progress and promote physical fitness. Encouraging the use of school facilities for physical education and exercise can help to reduce child obesity, which is a serious and growing public health problem. Child obesity can lead to the early onset of diabetes and respiratory problems. Further, child obesity can lead to a far lower quality of life for individuals as they get older.

Prior legislative history

2012 - S. 3647 - Referred to Education 2010 - Referred to Education 2009 - Referred to Rules 2007 - A.4356

Referred to Education, Reported to Rules 2006 - A.11941 Referred to Education

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become law, with provisions.