What's happening
This bill creates a program allowing college students to earn credit through internships or service learning with individuals with developmental disabilities.
Why it matters
Bridges academic study and real-world experience. by enabling students to gain hands-on work with individuals with developmental disabilities, which can deepen understanding and empathy beyond classroom learning.
Supports workforce development in disability services. , making it easier for students considering careers in this field to gain relevant, credit-bearing experience that could lead to more skilled professionals entering a sector often facing staffing shortages.
Promotes more integrated and inclusive environments. by directly involving college students in programs that move away from segregated sheltered workshops, aligning with state and federal efforts to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to interact with non-disabled peers.
Gives flexibility and institutional input. by allowing each college to decide whether and how to offer the program, ensuring it can be tailored to local needs and capacities while still following statewide standards.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Student Disability Work Program
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Held for consideration in higher education
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5901
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 20, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. MALLIOTAKIS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a service learning, internship or independent study program for students interested in working with individuals with developmental disabilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative intent. The United States department of justice believes that people with disabilities should live and work in the "most integrated setting" defined as "a setting that enables individuals with disabilities to interact with non-disabled persons to the fullest extent possible." In New York state, the office for people with developmental disabilities is mandating that all workshop providers submit a proposal outlining how they will transform the sheltered workshop either into an "integrated business," a business which employs disabled and non-disabled individuals, or how they will assist in creating transition plans for every individual currently employed in the workshop. This bill proposes to create a service learning, internship or independent study program within state-operated institutions and community colleges to allow students seeking careers aiding individuals with developmental disabilities to be given academic credit and practical application at sheltered workshops. In doing this, sheltered workshops will be allowed to change their business models to have individuals with developmental disabilities working directly with individuals without disabilities.
§ 2. Section 355 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 20 to read as follows:
20. The state university trustees shall adopt regulations to establish a service learning, internship or independent study program for students that work with individuals with developmental disabilities. Each stateoperated institution and community college may, as determined by its president, offer such a service learning, internship or independent
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09939-01-9
A. 5901 2
study program to eligible students in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the state university trustees. Such program shall consist of: (a) a work component with verifiable activities related to individuals with developmental disabilities as determined by the state university trustees, and (b) an academic component related to such activity that will be completed through either a written report or journal, or other written assignment as determined by the state university trustees. Such program shall be open to any student enrolled in an associate or baccalaureate degree-producing program on a full-time or part-time basis that is interested in pursuing a career interacting with the individuals with developmental disabilities. No more than six academic credits shall be awarded to a student for successful completion of such service learning, internship or independent study program. In developing the service learning, internship or independent study program described in this subdivision, the state university trustees may, in their discretion, consult with the New York state office for people with developmental disabilities and/or any statewide organization that represents the interests of individuals with developmental disabilities.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the state university trustees are authorized and directed to add, amend and/or repeal any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date.
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.