What's happening
This bill requires the New York State Board of Regents to hold at least two annual meetings in New York City, ensure public notice and participation, and webcast all committee meetings.
Why it matters
Increases accessibility and transparency. by mandating that at least two Board of Regents meetings occur annually in New York City, where the majority of New York State’s public school students reside, ensuring decisions are made closer to the communities most affected.
Enhances public engagement. by requiring meeting times that accommodate parental attendance, advance notice of meetings and agendas, and dedicated public speaking periods before any official decisions, potentially leading to more responsive and informed policymaking.
Expands outreach and notification. by obligating the NYC Department of Education to inform a broad array of stakeholders—including parents, teachers, principals, and various education councils—about upcoming meetings, which could foster greater awareness and participation from diverse community groups.
Improves government accountability. by requiring all Regents’ committee meetings to be webcast, making it easier for the public and stakeholders to monitor discussions and deliberations, regardless of their ability to attend in person.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Regents Must Meet in NYC
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to finance
- 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.
Hold Regents Meetings in NYC
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
789
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sens. MONTGOMERY, ADDABBO, COMRIE, PARKER -- 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 that the New York state board of regents hold at least two meetings a year in the city of New York
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 204 of the education law is amended by adding two new subdivisions 5 and 6 to read as follows:
5. a. The regents shall hold at least two meetings in each calendar year in a city having a population of one million or more. Such meetings shall be held at a time to ensure parental attendance and participation.
b. (i) The regents shall announce the location, time and agenda of each meeting to be held in a city having a population of one million or more whenever such meeting is scheduled, but not later than three weeks before the meeting date to allow adequate time for public review. Provided, however, that if an agenda for any such meeting is not available, such agenda shall be announced as soon as it becomes available.
(ii) Such announcements shall be made available on the regents' public website and the New York city department of education website in the same manner as other public meetings are announced. The New York city department of education shall inform parent education advocates, teachers, principals and other school administrators of the location, time and agenda of such meetings held in a city having a population of one million or more. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term "parent education advocates" shall include, but not be limited to parent associations, parent-teacher associations, school leadership teams, presidents councils, district leadership teams and citywide and communitywide education councils.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02887-01-9
S. 789 2
c. At each meeting of the regents held in a city having a population of one million or more, the public shall be allotted a period of time, not less than thirty minutes, to speak on any topic on the agenda. The public speaking period shall take place prior to any board or committee action.
6. Every committee meeting of the regents shall be webcast in the same manner as general board meetings.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before such date.
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 that the New York state board of regents hold at least two meetings a year in the city of New York
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring that the New York state board of regents hold at least two meetings a year in the city of New York
Purpose
To encourage the parents of New York City students to attend and partic- ipate in New York State Board of Regents meetings by requiring at least two meetings each year to be held in New York City.
Summary of provisions
Amends section 204 of the education law by adding two new subsections to the law.
New subsection 3 requires that the Board of Regents hold at, least two meetings each year in the city of New York. These meetings will be held at time that will allow for parental attendance and participation.
The Regents must announce the time, location, and agenda of these meet- ings. These announcements will be made available on the Regents' public website as well as the NYC Department of Education website. The NYC Department of Education shall also much these announcements to parent education advocates, teachers, principals, and school administrators.
At each Regents meeting held in NYC, there will be a period of time not less than 30 minutes prior to any board or committee action during which members of the public may speak on any topic on the agenda.
Committee meetings will be webcast in the same manner as general board meetings.
Justification
This bill is a response in part to requests made by parent education associations for more input into decisions made by the New York State Board of Regents, the governing body for the state education system. Enactment of this bill would allow parents direct access to policy changes and other relevant information that would affect their chil- dren's education. This bill will increase transparency and accountabil- ity when it comes to decisions made at the state level that impact all stakeholders in the education system, including students, parents, and teachers.
Legislative history
2011-2012: S.6322 - Referred to and died in Higher Education; 2013-2014: S.1411 - Referred to and died in Higher Education.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect 120 days after it becomes law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regu- lation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized to be made on or before such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.