Relates to a parent's right to know if an employee, volunteer or an administrator of a school district is reprimanded for inappropriate conduct towards their child

BILL NUMBER:S1897

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the parent's right to know of allegations of inappropriate conduct by a school district employee, volunteer or administrator

Purpose

To strengthen the framework for the reporting of suspected in-school child abuse to include a requirement for parental notification.

Summary of provisions

Section 1:Amends the Education Law by creating a new article 23-C establishing the "Parent's Right to Know Act" which provides that every public school district or any school registered with the New York State Education Department shall, within 60 days of enactment of this law, adopt a policy which shall provide notification to a parent or legal guardian whenever a school employee, volunteer or administrator has been given a written censure, reprimand or otherwise has been advised in writing regarding inappropriate conduct with respect to a child by the Superintendent or the School Board.

Section 2: Effective date.

Justification

The establishment of the Parent's Right to Know Act reaffirms the critical need for parents to be fully involved as partners with our educators in ensuring the well-being of our children. Currently, Article 23-B of the Education Law provides the framework for the reporting of suspected child abuse, however there is room for strengthening parental notification requirements for inappropriate conduct. With this legislation, if a Superintendent of Schools or a School Board Member advises an employee, volunteer, or an administrator about noticed inappropriate conduct to a student or students--the parent should be notified. The public school district or any other school which serves students under the age of 18 will be responsible for adopting a policy or procedure to provide such notification to the parents.

Legislative history

S.3952 of 2014: Died in Senate Children and Families, Died in Assembly Education

S.3952 of 2013: Died in Senate Children and Families, Died in Assembly Education

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Local fiscal implications

While this legislation broadens the reporting framework, no significant local fiscal impacts are anticipated.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that this act shall not impair any provision of a collective bargaining agreement in effect prior to the effective date of this act which is contradictory to the provisions of this act. Any such provisions shall expire no later than on such agreements existing expiration date.