S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                                  5376

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            February 13, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. TITUS, N. RIVERA, WRIGHT, PHEFFER, AUBRY, ROBIN-
  SON, CLARK, LAVINE, PEOPLES, BOYLAND, BENEDETTO,  JACOBS,  MAGNARELLI,
  ESPAILLAT,  DIAZ,  JAFFEE,  PERALTA  -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A.
  BRADLEY, CAHILL,  CHRISTENSEN,  COLTON,  EDDINGTON,  FARRELL,  GREENE,
  JOHN,  V. LOPEZ, MAYERSOHN, McENENY, MILLMAN, NOLAN, O'DONNELL, PERRY,
  J. RIVERA, WEISENBERG, ZEBROWSKI -- read  once  and  referred  to  the
  Committee on Education

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to a prenatal care initi-
  ative

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Section 3641 of the education law is amended  by  adding  a
new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
  2-A.  PRENATAL CARE INITIATIVE. A. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL, UPON APPLI-
CATION THEREFORE AND  WITHIN  AMOUNTS  APPROPRIATED  FOR  SUCH  PURPOSE,
PROVIDE GRANTS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND BOARDS OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES  WHICH  ARE DESIGNED WITH THE INTENT OF IMPLEMENTING PROCEDURES
BY WHICH SCHOOL PERSONNEL MAY ASSIST PREGNANT STUDENTS IN  PLANNING  FOR
THEIR CONTINUED EDUCATION DURING AND AFTER THEIR PREGNANCY.
  B.  SUCH  SCHOOL  DISTRICTS  AND  BOARDS  OF  COOPERATIVE  EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES SHALL DESIGNATE A FACULTY MEMBER WHO SHALL SERVE AS  A  SUPPORT
PERSON  RESPONSIBLE FOR DISSEMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT INFORMATION AND FOR
THE REFERRAL MECHANISM FOR STUDENTS IN NEED OF PRENATAL HEALTH CARE  AND
RELATED  SERVICES.  SUCH  DESIGNATED  FACULTY  MEMBER  SHALL, AS MUCH AS
LEGALLY AND REASONABLY POSSIBLE, INVOLVE THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN  OF  THE
PREGNANT  STUDENT  IN THE PRENATAL HEALTH CARE CHOICES AVAILABLE TO SUCH
STUDENT. PARENTAL OR GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT SHOULD BE SOUGHT TO THE EXTENT
POSSIBLE WITHOUT UNDULY DELAYING  THE  STUDENT'S  RECEIPT  OF  NECESSARY
HEALTH CARE AND RELATED SERVICES. ALL SUCH SERVICES SHALL BE COORDINATED
TO  THE  MAXIMUM EXTENT FEASIBLE WITH SERVICES AVAILABLE IN OTHER STATE,
LOCAL AND FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD07588-01-9
              

A. 5376                             2

  C. EDUCATIONAL CHOICES  SHOULD  ALSO  BE  PRESENTED  TO  THE  PREGNANT
STUDENT.  STUDENTS SHOULD BE INFORMED OF THEIR OPTION TO REMAIN IN THEIR
PRESENT SCHOOL, TRANSFER TO ANOTHER HIGH SCHOOL OR PROGRAM OR TO RECEIVE
HOME INSTRUCTION.
  D.  PREGNANT  STUDENTS  OF  COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO
CONTINUE TO ATTEND SCHOOL UNLESS MEDICAL REASONS INDICATE THE  CONTRARY.
IF  THERE  IS AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE, REGULAR ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES SHOULD
BE FOLLOWED.
  E. THE PREGNANT STUDENT AND HER PARENT OR GUARDIAN SHOULD BE  PROVIDED
WITH  INFORMATION  WHICH  WOULD ENABLE SUCH STUDENT TO SEEK THE SERVICES
NEEDED TO ASSIST IN THE CONTINUATION OF SUCH STUDENT'S EDUCATION.
  F. EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE  EDUCATIONAL  SERVICES
SHALL  COMPILE  MONTHLY  REPORTS  ON  THE  PROGRESS OF PREGNANT STUDENTS
COVERED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.