What's happening
The bill requires certain schools to provide transportation or reimbursement for students in areas with at least 300 students within a one-mile radius, regardless of borough or county lines, under specific conditions.
Why it matters
Addresses changing residency patterns. The bill ensures that students who have moved out of their original borough but still attend the same school (and their siblings) continue to receive transportation services or reimbursement, helping families maintain educational continuity after relocation.
Focuses on high-density student areas. By targeting areas with at least 300 students within a one-mile radius, the bill aims to improve transportation options specifically in densely populated neighborhoods where the need for such services is likely greatest.
Overrides borough and county boundaries. The legislation removes traditional geographic limitations, allowing transportation to be provided across borough or county lines, which is significant in cities like New York where administrative boundaries can complicate access to schools.
Caps city reimbursement costs. While expanding eligibility, the bill also limits how much a city of one million or more residents can be reimbursed, which may help control municipal spending while still improving service for affected students.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand School Bus Reimbursement
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- 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.
Expand School Bus Access
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3859
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 20, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- 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 certain public and nonpublic schools to provide transportation or reimbursement for transportation for certain students residing in an area containing at least three hundred students within a one-mile radius
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of section 3627 of the education law, as amended by section 7 of part A of chapter 56 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
(b) reimbursing the cost incurred by licensed transportation carriers pursuant to contracts with such school district for providing transportation for those children attending public and nonpublic schools in grades kindergarten through six who remain at the same school for which they are enrolled for regularly scheduled academic classes from halfpast nine o'clock in the morning or earlier until four o'clock in the afternoon or later, on weekdays, and reside at least one mile from their school of attendance for grades three through six, and at least one-half mile from their school of attendance for grades kindergarten through two and
(c) notwithstanding section thirty-six hundred thirty-five of this article or any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, providing transportation of up to fifteen miles or reimbursing the costs incurred by licensed transportation carriers pursuant to contracts with the school district for providing such transportation, regardless of borough or county lines, for those children attending public and nonpublic schools in grades kindergarten through six who remain at the same school for which they are enrolled for regularly scheduled academic classes from half-past nine o'clock in the morning or earlier until four o'clock in the afternoon or later, on weekdays, and reside in an area containing
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10017-01-9
S. 3859 2
at least three hundred students within a one-mile radius; provided, however, that this paragraph shall only apply to students who, during the two thousand fifteen-two thousand sixteen school year, resided in the borough of the school they are currently attending and who no longer reside in such borough and to the siblings of such students; and provided further, however, that any reimbursement costs incurred by a city having a population of one million or more pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed the maximum amount allowed pursuant to this section.
§ 2. 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 certain public and nonpublic schools to provide transportation or reimbursement for transportation for certain students residing in an area containing at least three hundred students within a one-mile radius
Purpose or general idea of bill
To include certain public and nonpublic schools in the after 4:00pm program.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of section 3627 of the education law to include certain students in the after four program.
Section 2. Provides for an immediate effective date.
Justification
This bill would amend the after 4:00 program, which requires the school district to provide transportation to students dismissed at 4:00pm or later, by requiring transportation for students already attending school within 15 miles of their residence.
In New York City, some schools have academic course schedules that run 4:00pm or later; students with this dismissal time face increased dangers in 'traveling due to rush hour traffic and dim lighting condi- tions. Currently, students attending schools outside of their place of residence are not being provided transportation. Therefore, parents have to choose between allowing young children to travel alone at night in heavy traffic or decrease their hourly work time, which reduces their salary to provide safe transportation.
Prior legislative history
2018: S.9017 - Referred to Rules/A.11204 - Referred to Education
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
No additional cost.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.