Education (Special Education) in New York

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7674: Permits special education services and programs for preschool children with handicapping conditions to establish reserve funds

This bill allows special education programs serving preschool children with disabilities to create reserve funds from excess revenue. Institutions may retain up to 1% of their annual allowable costs each year (capped at 4% total), with funds carried forward to future years for approved uses like covering prior debts or authorized costs. Programs must report annually on reserve balances and usage to the education department. The policy applies specifically to preschool special education services under New York's education law, effective for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Special Education

passed · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 4903: Directs the creation of a document giving certain notice to parents and guardians of school age students who are diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition or a certain medical condition

Enacts the "Shepherd Patterson notification act"; requires a physician who treats a minor patient with a medical condition that may cause a disability to provide certain educational information to such patient's parents or guardians indicating such minor is entitled to a free and appropriate public education as defined under section five hundred four of the federal rehabilitation act of nineteen hundred seventy-three; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Special Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8315: Relates to student age eligibility for certain programs and benefits

This bill proposes to extend the age of eligibility for certain educational programs and benefits for students with disabilities from 21 to 22 years old. It would allow students with disabilities to receive a high school diploma from specific educational facilities or districts until age 22. The bill also permits vocational education and extension boards to provide transportation to career education classes for these students until they turn 22, adjusting related funding mechanisms. Additionally, it updates the definition of "child" for certain educational reporting purposes to include students with disabilities up to age 22.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Special Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6072: Requires funding for special education services and programs for preschool children with disabilities to cover full-day joint classroom instruction

Requires funding for special education services and programs for preschool children with disabilities to cover joint classroom instruction for such children with disabilities and other children for the same number of hours each day.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Special Education

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5547: Authorizes school districts to establish an extraordinary needs reserve fund for the expenses of providing special education

Bill A 5547 authorizes school districts to establish a new type of financial reserve fund. This fund is specifically designated to cover unanticipated costs associated with providing special education services to students throughout the fiscal year. It allows districts to set aside money to manage unexpected expenses related to special education instruction.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Special Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5333: Requires all school districts to purchase and provide assistive technology devices when an item is put on a student's individualized education program

Requires all school districts to purchase and provide assistive technology devices no later than two months after an item is put on a student's individualized education program.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Special Education

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4390: Relates to payments made by school districts to charter schools

This bill requires school districts to directly pay charter schools for federal or state aid tied to students with disabilities, based on the level of services the charter school provides for those students. Payments must be made in quarterly installments aligned with the district's state aid schedule, and initial payments for a charter school's first year are based on projected enrollment (later adjusted using actual enrollment data). The commissioner of education determines final payment amounts, and school districts may reduce payments through agreements outlined in the charter. This change ensures charter schools receive accurate, timely funding for disability-related services, directly affecting school districts and charter schools.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5273: Prohibits the use of restraints and seclusion in schools and provides for more rapid notice to parents if restraints or seclusion is used

Implements a state-wide plan to prevent and reduce the use of seclusion and physical restraint in schools; prohibits the use of seclusion, mechanical restraint, chemical restraint, and dangerous restraints that restrict breathing on students; authorizes annual appropriations to provide grants to school districts; provides for more rapid notice to parents if restraints or seclusion is used on a student.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Student Health

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4698: Relates to payments made by school districts to charter schools

This bill amends school funding rules to require school districts to pay charter schools directly for federal and state aid tied to students with disabilities. It specifies payments must be proportional to the services the charter school provides for these students, with reductions only allowed through charter agreements. Payments will be made quarterly, aligned with when districts receive state aid, and for new charters, initial payments use enrollment projections that are adjusted based on actual data after the first year. The law directly affects school districts and charter schools operating in New York, ensuring funding matches the level of disability services provided.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Special Education

failed · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 2531: Provides for an annual growth amount for tuition and regional rate reimbursement for approved school-age and preschool special education programs

This bill sets an annual growth rate for tuition and reimbursement payments to schools and programs serving students with disabilities. It directly affects private schools, special act school districts, and approved preschool programs providing special education services for school-age and preschool children with disabilities. The key provision ties future rate increases to the difference between current and base-year public school funding levels, but ensures rates never decrease (the growth rate is the greater of this difference or zero). This creates a predictable, inflation-linked funding mechanism for these specialized education programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Funding Special Education

All education bills