Directs the commissioner of education to establish a commission to study the needs of adolescents and the effect that school day start times have on the health and academic performance of students.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8668
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
October 23, 2019
___________
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Education
AN ACT directing the commissioner of education to establish a commission
to study the needs of adolescents and the effect that school day start
times have on the health and academic performance of students; and
providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The commissioner of education is hereby authorized and
2 directed to create a commission to study and create a report on the
3 sleep needs of adolescents and the effect that school day start times
4 have on the health and academic performance of students.
5 § 2. The commission shall:
6 (i) study the feasibility of all schools in New York state implement-
7 ing later school day start times;
8 (ii) conduct a review of the scientific findings relative to sleep
9 needs of adolescents and the effect that school day start times have on
10 the health and academic performance of students;
11 (iii) determine the number of districts in the state that have imple-
12 mented later school day start times for schools and examine the health
13 and safety impacts and academic performance of students, including
14 performance on statewide tests; and
15 (iv) identify resources and opportunities to assist districts in
16 implementing minimum standards for healthy school day start times for
17 schools consistent with the recommendation of the American Academy of
18 Pediatrics.
19 § 3. The commission shall consist of a total of nine members who shall
20 be appointed not later than the thirtieth day after the effective date
21 of this section and shall include:
22 (i) two members appointed by the governor;
23 (ii) two members appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14011-01-9
A. 8668 2
1 (iii) two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly; and
2 (iv) three members appointed by the commissioner of the department of
3 education, one such member shall be a doctor specializing in sleep medi-
4 cine.
5 § 4. One of the appointments by the governor shall serve as chair-
6 person of the commission.
7 § 5. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation,
8 but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses reasonably incurred in the
9 performance of their duties.
10 § 6. All departments, divisions, bureaus, commissions, districts or
11 agencies of the state or any political subdivisions thereof shall, at
12 the request of the chairperson, provide the commission with such facili-
13 ties, assistance and data as will enable the commission to carry out its
14 powers and duties.
15 § 7. The commission shall make a report to the governor and the legis-
16 lature of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations not later than
17 one year after the effective date of this section, and shall submit with
18 its report such legislative proposals as it deems necessary to implement
19 its recommendations.
20 § 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
21 deemed repealed eighteen months after such date.
