What's happening
This bill requires all New York school districts to screen students for dyslexia and dysgraphia before kindergarten, with an opt-out option for parents.
Why it matters
Early identification of learning challenges. By mandating screening for dyslexia and dysgraphia before kindergarten, the bill aims to catch potential learning disabilities at a critical developmental stage, potentially allowing for earlier, more effective interventions.
Uniform approach across all districts. Requiring every school district to implement the same screening removes variability in early detection, helping ensure that children’s learning needs are not overlooked due to where they live or go to school.
Increased parental awareness and choice. The requirement for clear notification and an opt-out option empowers parents with information and agency, supporting transparency and respecting family preferences while still prioritizing early detection.
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Who cares
Parents and Guardians of Young Children
They will receive notices about mandatory dyslexia and dysgraphia screenings for their children prior to kindergarten and have the option to opt out.
School Districts and Administrators
Responsible for implementing the screenings, notifying affected families, and managing opt-out requests, which may require new procedures, staff training, and resource allocation.
Students Entering Kindergarten
Directly impacted as they will be screened for dyslexia and dysgraphia, potentially affecting their early educational support and interventions.
- Watching
Advocacy Groups for Learning Disabilities
Likely to be invested in improved identification and support for children with dyslexia and dysgraphia, and may monitor or support the law’s implementation.
Headline styles
Screen All Students for Dyslexia
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 110
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- 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.
Screen All Students for Dyslexia
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor Erik Bottcher
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
11716
IN ASSEMBLY
September 16, 2026
Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Steck) -read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring all school districts to screen all students for dyslexia and dysgraphia
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 33 to read as follows:
33. a. The commissioner shall require all school districts to screen all students for dyslexia and dysgraphia. Students shall be screened prior to entering kindergarten.
b. School districts shall provide notice of such screening to each student and to the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in such school district. The notice shall:
(i) be printed in a clear and conspicuous manner and shall describe such screening methods; and
(ii) give the parent or guardian of such student the opportunity to opt out of such screening by checking the box "do not screen my child".
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08380-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.