Relates to monies to qualifying schools for the state's immunization program and other health-related requirements

Title of bill

An act to amend chapter 507 of the laws of 1974, relating to providing for the apportionment of state monies to certain nonpublic schools, to reimburse them for their expenses in complying with certain state requirements for the administration of state testing and evaluation programs and for participation in state programs for the reporting of basic educational data, in relation to the state's immunization program

Purpose or general idea of bill

To help ensure that the state's immunization program is being fully implemented in nonpublic schools and to ensure that state reimbursement reflects the actual costs incurred by schools.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends section three of chapter 507 of the laws of 1974, as amended by chapter 903 of the laws of 1984, to remove the arbitrary cap on reimbursement to nonpublic schools in the cities of Buffalo, Rochester and New York for the cost of complying with the state's immunization program and to ensure that all nonpublic schools are fully reimbursed for implementation of the state's immunization program and similar health related requirements.

Section 2 of the bill provides that this act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

In 1984, lawmakers enacted an amendment to the original Mandated Services statute, to require the state to reimburse nonpublic schools in the Cities of New York, Buffalo and Rochester for their actual costs in complying with the state's immunization verification and reporting program. However, although the original statute requires reimbursement of actual costs of all other mandates, the reimbursement for complying with the immunization program was capped at 60 cents per student and has remained ever since.

The costs associated with the state's immunization program have increased dramatically since 1984, especially considering the rise in staff salaries; the requirement of additional vaccinations; and the mandate to check on intervals between doses and follow-up if the correct intervals were not met. School officials are required to ascertain whether new pupils and those already enrolled in the school have received the adequate doses of a growing list of vaccinations required pursuant to Public Health law 2164, and to check the intervals between doses of vaccinations, and follow-up if a dose was not given at the appropriate time. In addition, schools must record and report this information to the city/state Health Departments annually. In addition, many school districts are unable to provide nonpublic schools with nurses who would otherwise carry out these responsibilities.

The immunization requirement is the only mandate under the Mandated Services Reimbursement program which is not reimbursed based on actual costs. Full reimbursement is necessary to help ensure that schools are properly fulfilling their responsibilities related to immunizations and student health.

Prior legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.