What's happening
This bill requires parents of elementary school children to complete parenting workshops, including abuse prevention, as a condition for their child's promotion to seventh grade, with mandatory paid job leave for participation.
Why it matters
Increases parental involvement in education. by requiring parents to engage in structured workshops, which could foster stronger family-school partnerships and potentially improve student outcomes.
Addresses child abuse prevention directly. , mandating that at least one workshop covers physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, aiming to raise awareness and equip parents with tools to recognize and prevent abuse.
Introduces workplace accommodations for parental education. , mandating employers provide paid leave for parents to attend these workshops, which could set a precedent for integrating family responsibilities into employment law.
Expands accessibility and flexibility. by requiring multiple formats (e.g., video, live lectures, printed materials) and certification methods, reducing barriers for parents with different schedules, learning preferences, or language needs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Parent Classes for School
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4888
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 3, 2017
Introduced by Sens. DIAZ, HAMILTON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring persons in parental relation with a child of elementary school age to attend parent support programs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 3212 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph f to read as follows:
f. Shall, at the time such individual begins to attend upon instruction, participate in a series of four parent support instruction programs pursuant to section three hundred nineteen of this chapter, such programs to be completed prior to such individual's graduation from sixth grade and shall be a requirement for such individual's advancement to the seventh grade. Where such persons in parental relation require leave from work to attend and participate in such parent support instruction programs, the employers of such persons in parental relation shall provide such persons with one day per year of paid job leave for this purpose.
§ 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 319 to read as follows:
§ 319. Parent support instruction. The commissioner shall, within one hundred eighty days of the effective date of this section, and in consultation with the board of regents, develop guidelines for the content and distribution of a series of twelve parenting workshops, one of which shall relate to the subject of physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children. Pursuant to paragraph f of subdivision two of section thirty-two hundred twelve of this chapter, the completion of four of such workshops, one of which is the program on abuse, shall be required of all persons in parental relation with a child prior to such child's graduation from sixth grade and shall be a requirement for such child's
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07216-01-7
S. 4888 2
advancement to the seventh grade. The commissioner shall promulgate regulations providing for alternative means of participation including, but not limited to, video or CD, live lectures or printed materials, and providing for a means of verifiable certification that such program has been completed.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring persons in parental relation with a child of elementary school age to attend parent support programs
Purpose or general idea of bill
Requires parents to attend support programs designed to enhance parenting skills.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Amends the Education Law, Section 3212 subdivision 2 by adding a new paragraph f. Requires parents of elementary school children to attend a minimum of four parent support instruction programs prior to the child's advancement to the seventh grade. Requires employers to provide one day per year of paid job leave for the purposes of attending such support instruction programs.
Section 2. Amends the Education Law by adding a new section 319. Requires the Commissioner, in consultation with the Board of Regents, to develop guidelines for the content and distribution of a series of twelve parenting workshops. Provides that the topic of one such workshop shall be related to the physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children. Requires the completion of four workshops prior to the child's graduation from sixth grade and shall be a requirement for advancement to the seventh grade.
Section 3. Effective Date
Existing law
Education Law; Part 1, Compulsory Education; Section 3212, Definition of persons in parental relation and their duties; duties of certain other persons
Justification
To provide parents with educational and support systems that would enhance parenting skills and to provide parents with guidelines and resources necessary to prevent instances of abuse and neglect.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.182 - REFERRED TO EDUCATION 2015: S.182 - REFERRED TO EDUCATION 2014: S.142 - Referred to Education 2013: S.142 - Referred to Education 2012: S. 1723 - Referred to Education 2011: S.1723 - Defeated in Education 2009-10: S.2178 - Referred to Education/A.305 Enacting Clause Stricken 2007-08: A.1628 - Referred to Education
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.