S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6419
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              March 17, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. STIRPE -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on Education
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law and the state finance law, in relation
   to enacting the "VIP program"; and making an appropriation therefor
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. This act shall be known  and  may  be  cited  as  the  "VIP
 program".
   §  2.  The  education law is amended by adding a new section 3641-c to
 read as follows:
   § 3641-C. VIRTUAL INCLUSION PLAN GRANT PROGRAM.   1. THE  COMMISSIONER
 SHALL  ESTABLISH  A  PROGRAM  OF COMPETITIVELY AWARDED GRANTS WITHIN THE
 AMOUNT IN THE  VIRTUAL  INCLUSION  PLAN  GRANT  FUND  ESTABLISHED  UNDER
 SECTION  NINETY-SEVEN-UUUU  OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW EACH YEAR TO PUBLIC
 SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PURCHASE TECHNOLOGY WHICH WOULD ENABLE  STUDENTS  TO
 PARTICIPATE  IN  CLASSROOM  ACTIVITIES  REMOTELY  IF A MEDICAL CONDITION
 PRECLUDES THEM FROM ATTENDING IN-PERSON CLASSROOM SESSIONS.
   2. FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO QUALIFY  FOR  A  GRANT  UNDER  THIS
 PROGRAM,  THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL PROMULGATE A REMOTE CLASSROOM
 VIRTUAL INCLUSION POLICY WHICH ESTABLISHES GUIDELINES FOR WHEN A STUDENT
 WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR REMOTE CLASSROOM VIRTUAL INCLUSION TEACHING DUE TO
 A MEDICAL CONDITION. THE POLICY SHOULD ALSO BE IN  COMPLIANCE  WITH  THE
 RULES  AND  REGULATIONS SET FORTH BY THE COMMISSIONER AS WELL AS LAWS AS
 THEY PERTAIN TO CLASSROOM ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS.
   3. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROMULGATE ANY  NECESSARY  RULES  AND  REGU-
 LATIONS  FOR  THE  APPLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ANY FUNDS PURSUANT TO
 THIS SECTION.
   § 3. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section  97-uuuu
 to read as follows:
   §  97-UUUU.  VIRTUAL  INCLUSION  PLAN  GRANT  FUND. 1. THERE IS HEREBY
 ESTABLISHED IN THE JOINT CUSTODY OF THE COMMISSIONER  OF  EDUCATION  AND
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD07221-01-1

 A. 6419                             2
 
 THE  COMPTROLLER A FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "VIRTUAL INCLUSION PLAN GRANT
 FUND".
   2.  THE FUND SHALL CONSIST OF ALL MONIES APPROPRIATED FOR ITS PURPOSE,
 AND ALL MONIES REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION OR ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO
 BE PAID INTO OR CREDITED TO SUCH FUND. THE FUND SHALL  NOT  CONTAIN  ANY
 MONIES WHICH ARE NOT INTENDED FOR THE FUND.
   3.  MONIES OF THE FUND, WHEN ALLOCATED, SHALL BE AVAILABLE PURSUANT TO
 SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED FORTY-ONE-C OF THE EDUCATION LAW.
   4. MONIES SHALL BE PAYABLE FROM THE FUND ON THE AUDIT AND  WARRANT  OF
 THE  STATE COMPTROLLER ON VOUCHERS APPROVED AND CERTIFIED BY THE COMMIS-
 SIONER OF EDUCATION.
   § 4. The sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), or  so  much
 thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the department of
 education out of any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to
 the  credit  of  the virtual inclusion plan grant program, not otherwise
 appropriated, and made immediately available, for the purpose of  carry-
 ing  out the provisions of this act. Such moneys shall be payable on the
 audit and warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified  or  approved
 by the commissioner of education in the manner prescribed by law.
   § 5. This act shall take effect April 1, 2023.