What's happening
This bill requires school districts to notify parents and post online at least 60 days before ending special therapy services for students.
Why it matters
Gives families more time to respond. By requiring at least 60 days’ notice before special therapy services end, this bill ensures parents or guardians have time to prepare, appeal the decision, or seek alternative support for their child.
Increases school transparency. Mandating both written and online notification means school districts must publicly explain when and why special therapy services are ending, making their decisions more visible and accountable.
Helps prevent abrupt service disruptions. The advance notice requirement is designed to reduce the risk of students with special needs unexpectedly losing essential support, which can have significant academic and developmental consequences.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require 60-Day Therapy Notice
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3108
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 4, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ADDABBO -- 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 notice of the termination of special therapy services by school districts
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3039 to read as follows:
§ 3039. Special therapy services; notice of termination. The superintendent of a school district which provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, or any other special therapy services to any students with special needs shall, not less than sixty days prior to the termination of any such services:
1. notify, in writing, the parents or legal guardian of each student receiving such services that such services will be terminated; and
2. place on the internet website for such school district, a notice that such services will be terminated.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06794-01-9
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 notice of the termi- nation of special therapy services by school districts
Purpose
To require that school districts provide parents or legal guardians with a minimum of 60 days notice prior to terminating special therapy services provided by the school district.
Summary of provisions
Amends the education law by adding a new section 3037 that requires the superintendent of a school district that provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, or any other special therapy services to any student with special needs, to notify the parent or legal guardian, in writing, not less than 60 days prior to the termination of such services.
In addition, it requires that the school district website post a notice of termination of services not less than 60 days prior to the end of such services.
Justification
Students who receive special services such as physical therapy, occupa- tional therapy and similar services have special needs which must be addressed in order for the student to succeed in school. Very often, these services are terminated or discontinued with little or no notice, leaving a gap whereby the student does not receive the services and are delayed in their academic progress as a result. Requiring school districts to provide a minimum of 60 days notice of termination of these services will allow the parents or legal guardians ample time to secure alternative methods of services for their child.
Legislative history
2017: S. 3683 - Referred to Senate Education Committee. 2018: S. 3683 - Referred to Senate Education Committee.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.