Relates to the financing and construction of facilities by the dormitory authority for Summit Educational Resource, Inc., of Western New York

Title of bill

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the financing and construction of facilities by the dormitory authority for Summit Educational Resource, Inc., of Western New York

Purpose or general idea of bill

To enable Summit Educational Resource, Inc., of Western New York, a not-for-profit organization, to obtain funding and enter into contracts through the dormitory authority, for the acquisition, financing and/or refinancing, design, construction, renovation, reconstruction, development, improvement, furnishing, expansion and/or equipping of a facility or facilities and necessary ancillary and related facilities.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends paragraph (b) of subdivision 2 of section 1676 of the public authorities law by adding a new undesignated subparagraph including Summit Educational Resource, Inc., of Western New York, a not-for-profit organization, in the list of entities deemed to be a "dormitory".

Section 2 amends subdivision 1 of section 1680 of the public authorities law by adding a new undesignated paragraph including Summit Educational Resource, Inc., of Western New York, a not-for-profit organization, in the list of entities deemed to be an "educational institution".

Section 3 provides that any contracts entered into by the dormitory authority pursuant to this act shall be deemed state contracts.

Section 4 provides that this act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

Summit Educational Resource, Inc., of Western New York, is a private, not-for-profit organization formed to provide early intervention & education, behavioral health, community, and adult programs and services to children and adults. In 1973, Nancy Harris, founder of Summit, was interested in expanding the speech and language skills of her son who was born with a severe hearing loss. She strongly believed that children with communication disorders could best develop meaningful speech and language during their everyday experiences, and developed a program for four children in the kitchen of her Williamsville home. In 2005, Summit opened a state-of-the-art school in Amherst, New York. In September 2009, Summit opened the new Paddock Vocational Training Center on Creekside Drive to serve the needs of students ages 17 - 21. Today, Summit has grown to a staff of nearly 600 full-time, part-time and contractual employees dedicated to serving Western New York children and adults each year with autism and other developmental disabilities. The funding apparatus of the Dormitory Authority will significantly enhance the organization's ability to achieve its goals.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.