Senate Bill S5393

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S5393

SPONSOR: LANZA
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend chapter 219 of the laws of 2003,
amending the education law relating to publishers or manufacturers
providing printed instructional materials for college students with
disabilities, in relation to extending the provisions of such chapter

 
PURPOSE:

This bill would reauthorize the current law that requires publishers or
manufacturers of printed instructional materials for college students to
provide electronic formats of printed instructional material to be
available for purchase for students with disabilities. Electronic
versions of the printed instructional materials would be required to
maintain the structural integrity of its printed versions, be compatible
with commonly used Braille translation and speech synthesis software,
include corrections and revisions as necessary, and be available at a
cost that is comparable to the printed version.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
              

Section 1. This bill extends current law requirements that publishers or
manufacturers of printed instructional materials provide electronic
formats of printed instructional materials that are mutually agreed upon
by the publisher or manufacturer and the Commissioner of Education. Such
printed instructional materials would be converted to an electronic
format using the most updated software technology available to the
public. The electronic version must: maintain the structural integrity
of the printed version; be compatible with commonly used Braille trans-
lation and speech synthesis software; include corrections and revisions
as needed; be available to students with disabilities at a cost compara-
ble to its printed versions; and, be available in a timely manner upon
receipt of a written request that:

(a) certifies that the electronic version will be used by a student with
a disability;

(b) certifies that the student has a disability that prevents him or her
from using standard instructional materials;

(c) certifies that the printed instructional material is for use by a
student in connection with a course which he or she is registered or
enrolled at the college;

(d) is signed by the coordinator of services for students with disabili-
ties at the college or the campus or college official responsible for
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Section 2. Sets forth the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

This bill would ensure that students with disabilities have full access
to instructional materials in suitable alternate formats for use in
colleges in New York State by extending current law provisions for an
additional three years.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Chapter 219 of the Laws of 2003.
Chapter 28 of the Laws of 2004.
Chapter 342 of the Laws of 2007.
Chapter 194 of the Laws of 2010.
Chapter 194 of the Laws of 2013.
Chapter 219 of the Laws of 2015.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The act shall take effect immediately.