Relates to the submission of requests to the committee on special education for the educational services mandated by an individualized education services…

• Democratic1

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why the sponsor says this is needed

Students with disabilities attending nonpublic schools in New York are entitled to equitable access to educational services under the state's Education Law § 3602-c. However, for the 202425 school year, school districts adopted strict enforcement policies that created unprecedented barriers for families to obtain services. These policies were ostensibly intended to reduce administrative burdens, but were implemented without adequate notice or support for families. As a result, thousands of eligible students were denied critical educational services. These meas- ures forced families to shoulder the burdens of an inefficient system, with the consequences falling hardest on vulnerable children whose education was unjustly denied. When services are delayed or denied, students lose critical support necessary for their academic success and development. This bill addresses these challenges through permanent statewide meas- ures and temporary provisions for New York City. It creates a statewide requirement for clear, timely, and annual notice to parents regarding the application process for special education services. For the 202425 school year in New York City, it further allows parents of students who did not receive some or all of the services in their IESP to seek an expedited annual review for the 2025-26 school year, at which they may present evidence of the student's impacted educational progress to be considered in the student's new IESP.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.