What's happening
This bill requires schools to provide translated special education documents to parents upon request, to the extent feasible.
Why it matters
Helps non-English-speaking parents fully understand and participate in their child's special education plan. , by ensuring they have access to all key documents in their primary language, if they request it.
Establishes a formal process for requesting translations. , requiring parents to submit a specific form, which adds clarity but may require proactive effort from families.
Limits school district liability for translation errors or delays. , placing responsibility on the state education department, which could affect recourse options for parents if translations are inaccurate.
Aims to balance timely implementation of special education services with the need for translated documents. , so translation requirements cannot be used to delay or block services for students.
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Who cares
Parents of students with disabilities
They could request evaluations, individualized education programs and related implementation documents translated into their primary language, to the extent feasible, by submitting a department form.
State Education Department
It would provide the request forms, post them online, make them available to schools upon request and release documents for translation in compliance with privacy laws.
School districts
They would be shielded from liability for the department’s failure to provide an accurate translation.
Students with disabilities
Translation of their documents could not impede implementation of their individualized education programs or other services.
Headline styles
Translate Disability Documents for Parents
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 25
7 Co-sponsors
4 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Translate Special Ed Documents
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor Toby Ann Stavisky
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1285
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 11, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ROZIC, COLTON, DAVILA, GOTTFRIED, MOSLEY, ORTIZ, TITONE, WEPRIN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO, GLICK, HOOPER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the request by parents for translated documents for students with disabilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 4403 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 22 to read as follows:
22. To provide any parent or person in parental relation with a student with a disability as defined pursuant to subdivision one of section forty-four hundred one of this article, all evaluations, individualized education programs, and related documents necessary to the implementation of such individualized education programs, translated into their primary language at the request of such parent, or person in parental relation, to the extent feasible. Such parent or person in parental relation must complete and submit a form to the department, provided by the department, which shall release such documents in compliance with applicable state and federal privacy laws for the purposes of translations. Such forms shall be issued by the department and made available to schools upon request and published on the department's website. Translation of documents shall not impede the implementation of a student's individualized education program or other services. No school district shall be liable for the failure of the department to provide an accurate translation.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00415-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.