Establishes a task force to study the feasibility of all middle schools and high schools in New York state beginning their school day at 8:30 a.m. or later.
STATE OF NEW YORK
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8701
IN SENATE
May 10, 2018
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Introduced by Sen. SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to establish a task force to study school start times
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. a. A task force is hereby established to study the feasi-
2 bility of all middle schools and high schools beginning their school day
3 at 8:30 a.m. or later.
4 b. The task force shall:
5 (i) study the feasibility of all New York state middle schools and
6 high schools beginning their school day at 8:30 a.m. or later;
7 (ii) determine the amount of New York state middle schools and high
8 schools that currently begin their school day before 8:30 a.m. and those
9 that begin after, in addition to:
10 (1) the socio-economic environment of such schools; and
11 (2) the logistical justifications such schools may have for their
12 start time;
13 (iii) study data on sleep deprivation of middle school and high school
14 students, and the effect of school start times on such sleep depri-
15 vation; and
16 (iv) determine if any encumbrances exist that would inhibit the
17 department of education from implementing such a measure, such as:
18 (1) union-related contracts or local regulations;
19 (2) school bus and logistical issues; and
20 (3) after-school sports and activities.
21 c. No later than one year after the effective date of this act, the
22 task force shall report its findings to the governor and the legisla-
23 ture, as described under subdivision b this section.
24 § 2. a. The task force shall be comprised of:
25 (i) two members appointed by the governor;
26 (ii) two members appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
27 (iii) two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly; and
28 (iv) one member appointed by the commissioner of the department of
29 education.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14782-01-8
S. 8701 2
1 b. One of the appointments by the governor shall serve as chairperson
2 of the task force.
3 c. The members of the task force shall receive no compensation for
4 their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
5 incurred in the performance of their services.
6 d. All departments, divisions, bureaus, commissions, districts or
7 agencies of the state or any political subdivisions thereof shall, at
8 the request of the chairperson, provide the task force with such facili-
9 ties, assistance and data as will enable the task force to carry out its
10 powers and duties.
11 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
