Requires siting, erection, purchase, repair, enlargement and remodeling of healthy and high performance school buildings

BILL NUMBER:S4766

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring that the siting, erection, purchase, repair, enlargement and remodeling of school buildings meet the requirements of healthy and high performance schools

Purpose

The purpose of the bill is to ensure that healthy, high-performance school facilities are constructed, rehabilitated, sited and maintained in order to enhance the health and productivity of students, teachers and school employees.

Summary of provisions

The bill would require the State Education Department (SED), in cooperation with the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to review and approve proposals for school facilities that meet healthy and high performance schools standards in NYS. Proposals for schools must conform to both the NYS green buildings standards and healthy and high performance schools as defined in the bill. Siting of schools must also be reviewed by the Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health with respect to proximity to known environmental and public health risks.

Justification

New York State has over 3 million children attending approximately 4,200 schools. Many of these schools are in poor condition. According to the National Education Association study in 2002, more than one third of public schools in New York State need major repairs or total replacement. It is well established that children are more vulnerable to environmental exposures than adults; exposures during infancy and childhood can result in future illnesses and long-term problems, such as asthma.

This bill would require that all NYS school buildings meet a health and high performance standard. Healthy and high performance schools are designed using techniques that reduce energy and maintenance costs while providing cleaner air, improved lighting, reduced exposures to toxic materials and supplies. Healthy and high performance schools do not cost more to build and maintain and in fact, improve student and faculty performance through a cleaner and healthier learning environment.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

This bill is not expected to impose additional costs on school districts, since healthy and high performance schools are not anticipated to be more costly to build, rehabilitate, or maintain.

Effective date

The bill would take effect immediately, except that section one of the bill will take effect Aug. first of the next succeeding date after it shall become law.