What's happening
This bill requires schools to provide translated special education documents to parents upon request, to the extent feasible.
Why it matters
Empowers non-English-speaking parents. by ensuring they can access crucial special education documents (like evaluations and IEPs) in their primary language, helping them meaningfully participate in their child's education decisions.
Requires a formal request process. (a specific form provided by the state education department), which could streamline and standardize how parents request translations but may also introduce a bureaucratic step.
Balances translation with timely services. by stating that translation should not delay the implementation of a student's Individualized Education Program or other services, aiming to prevent administrative delays from impacting the student.
Limits school district liability. by specifying that districts are not legally responsible if the education department provides an inaccurate translation, clarifying accountability and protecting local schools from legal challenges related to translation errors.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Translate Special Ed Documents
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to education
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1132
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- 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 Disability Documents
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Nily Rozic
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2922
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 30, 2019
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- 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 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.
LBD00983-01-9
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 the request by parents for translated documents for students with disabilities
Purpose
To ensure that parents of all public school children fully understand their child's learning needs and be better able to follow the guidelines of their child's individualized education program.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Section 4403 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 22.
Requires that the State Education Department provide a translation of a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), evaluation, action or implementation plan upon request by a parent, a person in parental relationship, or a student age 18 or older, to the extent that providing such translation is feasible. Additionally, State Education Department is required to draft and publish a release form, compliant with state and federal privacy laws, for the release of such documents for the purposes of translation.
The amendment adds the provision that "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."
Section 2 sets forth the effective date.
Justification
New York State is home to many individuals who do not speak English as their primary language. Though translations are available for many important documents, currently there is no requirement that Individual- ized Education Programs and other important school documents relating to a child's IEP be translated for parents.
Legislative history
This legislation has been previously introduced.
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become law; provided that any and all rules and regulations and any other measures necessary to implement any provision of this act on its effective date may be promulgated and taken, respectively, on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.