Requires school district superintendents to give notice of the termination of special therapy services sixty days prior to such termination

1 Co-sponsor

• Liz Krueger

BILL NUMBER:S2499

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to notice of the termination of special therapy services by school districts

Purpose

To require that school districts provide parents or legal guardians with a minimum of 60 days notice prior to terminating special therapy services provided by the school district.

Summary of provisions

Amends the education law by adding a new section 3037 that requires the superintendant of a school district that provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, or any other special therapy services to any student with special needs, to notify the parent or legal guardian, in writing, not less than 60 days prior to the termination of such services.

In addition, it requires that the school district website post a notice of termination of services not less than 60 days prior to the end of such services.

Justification

Students who receive special services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and similar services have special needs which must be addressed in order for the student to succeed in school. Very often, these services are terminated or discontinued with little or no notice, leaving a gap whereby the student does not receive the services and are delayed in their academic progress as a result. Requiring school districts to provide a minimum of 60 days notice of termination of these services will allow the parents or legal guardians ample time to secure alternative methods of services for their child.

Legislative history

2014: S. 6170 - Referred to Education.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.