What's happening
This bill extends the law requiring publishers to provide accessible instructional materials for college students with disabilities from 15 to 18 years.
Why it matters
Ensures continued access. By extending the law for three more years, students with disabilities will keep benefiting from guaranteed access to accessible instructional materials, supporting their academic success and inclusion.
Stability for institutions. Colleges and universities can continue established practices for requesting and providing accessible materials, avoiding disruption in services and compliance efforts.
Ongoing accountability for publishers. Publishers and manufacturers remain legally required to supply accessible versions, maintaining pressure on the industry to prioritize accessibility in educational content.
Signals legislative commitment. The extension demonstrates that the state remains committed to educational equity for students with disabilities, potentially influencing future, more permanent solutions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Extend Disability Textbook Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to higher education
Companion bills
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.
Extend Disability Textbook Access
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Extend Disability Textbook Access
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Toby Ann Stavisky
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5393
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend chapter 219 of the laws of 2003, amending the education law relating to publishers or manufacturers providing printed instructional materials for college students with disabilities, in relation to extending the provisions of such chapter
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 2 of chapter 219 of the laws of 2003, amending the education law relating to publishers or manufacturers providing printed instructional materials for college students with disabilities, as amended by chapter 219 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
§ 2. This act shall take effect August 15, 2004 and shall expire and be deemed repealed [15] 18 years after such effective date.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11061-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend chapter 219 of the laws of 2003, amending the education law relating to publishers or manufacturers providing printed instructional materials for college students with disabilities, in relation to extending the provisions of such chapter
Purpose
This bill would reauthorize the current law that requires publishers or manufacturers of printed instructional materials for college students to provide electronic formats of printed instructional material to be available for purchase for students with disabilities. Electronic versions of the printed instructional materials would be required to maintain the structural integrity of its printed versions, be compatible with commonly used Braille translation and speech synthesis software, include corrections and revisions as necessary, and be available at a cost that is comparable to the printed version.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. This bill extends current law requirements that publishers or manufacturers of printed instructional materials provide electronic formats of printed instructional materials that are mutually agreed upon by the publisher or manufacturer and the Commissioner of Education. Such printed instructional materials would be converted to an electronic format using the most updated software technology available to the public. The electronic version must: maintain the structural integrity of the printed version; be compatible with commonly used Braille trans- lation and speech synthesis software; include corrections and revisions as needed; be available to students with disabilities at a cost compara- ble to its printed versions; and, be available in a timely manner upon receipt of a written request that:
(a) certifies that the electronic version will be used by a student with a disability;
(b) certifies that the student has a disability that prevents him or her from using standard instructional materials;
(c) certifies that the printed instructional material is for use by a student in connection with a course which he or she is registered or enrolled at the college;
(d) is signed by the coordinator of services for students with disabili- ties at the college or the campus or college official responsible for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Section 2. Sets forth the effective date.
Justification
This bill would ensure that students with disabilities have full access to instructional materials in suitable alternate formats for use in colleges in New York State by extending current law provisions for an additional three years.
Legislative history
Chapter 219 of the Laws of 2003. Chapter 28 of the Laws of 2004. Chapter 342 of the Laws of 2007. Chapter 194 of the Laws of 2010. Chapter 194 of the Laws of 2013. Chapter 219 of the Laws of 2015.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
The 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.