What's happening
This bill requires day care centers and public schools in New York to promptly contact parents or guardians when a child is unexpectedly absent.
Why it matters
Enhances Child Safety. By requiring prompt contact with parents or guardians when a child is unexpectedly absent, this bill aims to quickly identify situations where a child may be at risk, such as being left in a car, abduction, or an unreported emergency.
Reduces Communication Gaps. The law mandates that day care centers and public schools reach out within one hour of noticing an unexcused absence, minimizing delays that could otherwise hinder timely intervention.
Promotes Accountability for Child Care Providers and Schools. The legislation creates a clear legal obligation for institutions to monitor attendance and follow up, potentially reducing negligence and improving oversight of children’s whereabouts during the day.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Alert Parents After Child Absence
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to children and families
- Referred to children and families
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8550
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
August 23, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. RIVERA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Children and Families
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to requiring day care centers and public schools to contact a child's parent or guardian if they are absent
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The social services law is amended by adding a new section 390-aa to read as follows:
§ 390-aa. Child well-being check. 1. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Absent" or "absence" shall mean any child who is expected to be present for day care services or school who has not arrived at the scheduled drop-off time.
(b) "Child day care provider" shall have the same meaning as defined in paragraph (b) of subdivision one of section three hundred ninety of this title.
(c) "Group family day care home" shall have the same meaning as defined in paragraph (d) of subdivision one of section three hundred ninety of this title.
(d) "Family day care home" shall have the same meaning as defined in paragraph (e) of subdivision one of section three hundred ninety of this title.
(e) "School age child care" shall have the same meaning as defined in paragraph (f) of subdivision one of section three hundred ninety of this title.
2. (a) All child day care providers, school age child care programs, group family day care homes and family day care homes within the state shall be required to contact a child's parent or guardian in the event such child is absent on a given day, when prior notice of such child's
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13560-01-9
A. 8550 2
absence has not been provided, to confirm such child's absence is expected and the parent or guardian is aware of such absence.
(b) Such day care providers, programs or homes shall contact such parent or guardian within one hour after recording that a child is absent on such day.
3. (a) All public schools within the state shall be required to contact a child's parent or guardian in the event such child is absent on a given day, when prior notice of such child's absence has not been provided, to confirm such child's absence is expected and the parent or guardian is aware of such absence.
(b) Such schools shall contact such parent or guardian within one hour after recording that a child is absent on such day.
§ 2. 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.