Authorizes school district property to be used for not-for-profit dental clinics providing care to families in the district

2 Co-sponsors

• Martin Malavé Dilan
• George Latimer

BILL NUMBER:S2536

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 dental health 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 but does not permit a district child from being excluded solely because the child is not attending a district school.

Section 3 establishes the effective date.

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 operate in many New York schools. These clinics are 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 problem is also 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. However, this clinic, and many similarly situated health centers in the state struggle with operational costs. To provide the necessary services, these clinics use portable dental equipment to provide dental services in school settings. This legislation statutorily authorizes dental health programming in those school districts desiring such services.

Legislative history

2004: S.2778-A Passed Senate / A.9487-A Referred to education 2012: S.7137 Referred to education / A.467 Referred to education 2013-2014: S.1945 Referred to education / A.1488 Referred to education

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

This act shall take effect immediately.