S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8342
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
August 5, 2015
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring an examina-
tion for diabetes for admittance to public schools
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 903 of the education law, as
separately amended by chapter 281 of the laws of 2007 and section 11 of
part B of chapter 58 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
1. A health certificate shall be furnished by each student in the
public schools upon his or her entrance in such schools and upon his or
her entry into the grades prescribed by the commissioner in regulations,
provided that such regulations shall require such certificates at least
twice during the elementary grades and twice in the secondary grades. An
examination and health history of any child may be required by the local
school authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the educa-
tional interests of such child. Each certificate shall be signed by a
duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, who
is authorized by law to practice in this state, and consistent with any
applicable written practice agreement, or by a duly licensed physician,
physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, who is authorized to prac-
tice in the jurisdiction in which the examination was given, provided
that the commissioner has determined that such jurisdiction has stand-
ards of licensure and practice comparable to those of New York. Each
such certificate shall describe the condition of the student when the
examination was made, which shall not be more than twelve months prior
to the commencement of the school year in which the examination is
required, and shall state whether such student is in a fit condition of
health to permit his or her attendance at the public schools. THE EXAM-
INATION SHALL INCLUDE A DIABETES RISK ANALYSIS AND, IF NECESSARY, CHIL-
DREN WITH RISK FACTORS FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES, OR RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04696-01-5
A. 8342 2
WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES SUCH AS OBESITY, A FAMILY HISTORY OF TYPE 2
DIABETES, OR ANY OTHER FACTORS CONSISTENT WITH INCREASED RISK SHALL BE
TESTED FOR DIABETES. Each such certificate shall also state the
student's body mass index (BMI) and weight status category. For
purposes of this section, BMI is computed as the weight in kilograms
divided by the square of height in meters or the weight in pounds
divided by the square of height in inches multiplied by a conversion
factor of 703. Weight status categories for children and adolescents
shall be as defined by the commissioner of health. In all school
districts such physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner
shall determine whether a one-time test for sickle cell anemia is neces-
sary or desirable and he or she shall conduct such a test and the
certificate shall state the results.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.