Education (Special Education)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5180: Requires school districts to refer a child with a disability for evaluation when application for registration of the child with the district is first made

Requires school districts to refer a newly-registering child with a disability for evaluation within forty-eight hours of the time of the first contact between the school district and the person or entity registering the student with the school district, provided a request for referral has been made.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates timely disability evaluations for new students, ensuring prompt access to support services under IDEA, expanding educational access for disabled children.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 570: Relates to providing transportation for children with a disability

Relates to providing transportation for children with a disability; removes the requirement that a child attends the school the district is providing transportation to for the purpose of receiving services or programs similar to special educational programs recommended for such child by the local committee on special education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves transportation barrier for disabled students, enhancing access to special education services per bill's intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3494: Relates to sufficient proof that a student enrolled in or admitted to an institution of higher education has a disability

Requires institutions of higher education to implement a policy that documentation of an individualized education program (IEP) is sufficient proof that a student enrolled in or admitted to an institution of higher education has a disability.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates higher ed institutions accept IEPs as sufficient disability proof, directly expanding educational access for students with disabilities per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Special Education

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4151: Relates to student age eligibility for certain programs and benefits

This bill raises the age limit for certain education programs from 21 to 22 years for students with disabilities as defined in education law. It updates multiple sections of the education code to extend eligibility for high school diplomas (for students in state facilities or correctional settings), transportation services, and related benefits. The change specifically applies to students with disabilities covered under Section 4401 of the education law. It modifies existing eligibility rules without creating new programs or benefits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends diploma eligibility and services for students with disabilities, enhancing educational access under Section 4401 of education law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Special Education

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4019: Allows attendance at individualized education program (IEP) meetings to be covered under paid family leave

This bill expands New York's paid family leave program to include attendance at a child's individualized education program (IEP) meeting as a covered reason for leave. It allows eligible workers to use up to three hours of paid leave per IEP meeting to participate in planning their child's special education services. The change directly affects parents or caregivers of children with special needs who require school-based educational planning. The key provision amends the definition of "family leave" to explicitly include IEP meetings under the existing paid leave framework. This creates a concrete policy change allowing workers to take paid time off for this specific educational meeting without losing pay.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands paid leave access for parents to attend IEP meetings, directly supporting educational access for students with special needs through parental involvement in planning.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands paid family leave benefits to cover IEP meeting attendance, supporting caregivers' rights and work-life balance for special education needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Paid Leave

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1199: Relates to providing transportation for children with a disability

Relates to providing transportation for children with a disability; removes the requirement that a child attends the school the district is providing transportation to for the purpose of receiving services or programs similar to special educational programs recommended for such child by the local committee on special education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves unnecessary attendance requirement for transportation of disabled children, improving access to educational services without restricting programs or funding.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill ensures transportation access for disabled children by removing attendance barriers, directly advancing transportation services for a vulnerable group.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6807: Provides for the employment of mental health professionals by school districts

This bill requires all New York public school districts (except New York City) to employ certified school psychologists and licensed school social workers to provide mental health services. It amends education law to mandate these professionals as part of required school mental health services, including evaluations, assessments, and interventions for students' mental health needs. The law specifies these roles must be in addition to staff required under federal special education law (IDEA), directly affecting every public school district and all students attending those schools. The bill defines the scope of services, including confidentiality protocols and school environment recommendations, without altering existing health service requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school districts to hire certified mental health professionals, expanding student support services without reducing existing staff per IDEA requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school districts to employ mental health professionals, expanding student access to mental health services per summary, directly supporting mental health care provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Student Health Mental Health

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3257: Relates to exempting the costs of BOCES services and programs from the real property tax levy limit

This bill (A 3257) exempts school districts' costs for purchasing BOCES (Boards of Cooperative Educational Services) programs and services from the state's real property tax levy cap. It directly affects school districts in New York that use BOCES for shared educational services like special education or technical training. The key provision adds a new exemption to the tax levy calculation, meaning these costs will no longer count toward the district's annual tax limit. This change simplifies budgeting for districts relying on BOCES, as they won't need to adjust other spending to stay within the tax cap when purchasing these services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts BOCES costs from tax levy cap, preventing school districts from needing tax hikes to fund shared services. Provides fiscal relief for public education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts BOCES costs from tax levy cap, allowing school districts to fund shared educational services (e.g., special education) without hitting tax limits, increasing funding flexibility for K-12 programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Property Tax Career & Technical Education Special Education

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 13, 2025

S 1325: Relates to the submission of requests to the committee on special education for the educational services mandated by an individualized education services program

Requires the school district of location shall annually provide written notice to all parents or persons in parental relation to students with disabilities attending nonpublic schools within their district regarding the process for requesting special education services; relates to the denial of services in a city having a population of one million or more for the 2024--2025 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school districts to notify parents about special education services access, ensuring compliance with mandated IEP programs for students with disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9230: Requires additional reporting and documentation requirements for manifestation determination reviews

Requires school districts to collect and annually report to the department of education certain information regarding manifestation determination reviews (MDRs) conducted during the prior school year; requires certain disaggregated information to be publicly reported regarding MDRs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates MDR data reporting for special education compliance, enhancing accountability and student rights protection in schools.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

Track