What's happening
This bill establishes a task force to study the feasibility and impacts of starting middle and high school days at 8:30 a.m. or later.
Why it matters
The task force will analyze not just the feasibility, but also the equity. by examining which schools currently start before or after 8:30 a.m. and correlating this with their socio-economic environments, the study could reveal whether earlier start times disproportionately impact lower-income or marginalized students.
It specifically investigates operational and contractual barriers. including union agreements, transportation logistics, and after-school activities—so the findings could highlight hidden challenges that might complicate or delay shifting school start times statewide.
The study will incorporate data on student sleep deprivation and academic impacts,. meaning recommendations may be grounded in health and developmental research, potentially influencing future statewide educational or public health policy.
The mandated involvement of various stakeholders (governor, legislature, education commissioner) and requirement for a public report within a year. could increase accountability and transparency, ensuring that the results are widely disseminated and considered in future legislative or administrative actions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study School Start Times
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9947
IN ASSEMBLY
February 27, 2018
Introduced by M. of A. SEPULVEDA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to establish a task force to study school start times
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. a. A task force is hereby established to study the feasibility of all middle schools and high schools beginning their school day at 8:30 a.m. or later.
b. The task force shall:
(i) study the feasibility of all New York state middle schools and high schools beginning their school day at 8:30 a.m. or later;
(ii) determine the amount of New York state middle schools and high schools that currently begin their school day before 8:30 a.m. and those that begin after, in addition to:
(1) the socio-economic environment of such schools; and
(2) the logistical justifications such schools may have for their start time;
(iii) study data on sleep deprivation of middle school and high school students, and the effect of school start times on such sleep deprivation; and
(iv) determine if any encumbrances exist that would inhibit the department of education from implementing such a measure, such as:
(1) union-related contracts or local regulations;
(2) school bus and logistical issues; and
(3) after-school sports and activities.
c. No later than one year after the effective date of this act, the task force shall report its findings to the governor and the legislature, as described under subdivision b this section.
§ 2. a. The task force shall be comprised of:
(i) two members appointed by the governor;
(ii) two members appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
(iii) two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly; and
(iv) one member appointed by the commissioner of the department of education.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14782-01-8
A. 9947 2
b. One of the appointments by the governor shall serve as chairperson of the task force.
c. The members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their services.
d. All departments, divisions, bureaus, commissions, districts or agencies of the state or any political subdivisions thereof shall, at the request of the chairperson, provide the task force with such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the task force to carry out its powers and duties.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.