S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   2247
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             January 25, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. HYNDMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee on Education
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to directing the  commis-
   sioner  of  education to convene statewide and regional conventions to
   bring together underrepresented educators
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 115 to
 read as follows:
   §  115. UNDERREPRESENTED EDUCATORS CONVENTION. 1. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS
 SECTION, "UNDERREPRESENTED EDUCATORS" SHALL MEAN TEACHERS OR ADMINISTRA-
 TORS WHO CURRENTLY PARTICIPATE OR PREVIOUSLY PARTICIPATED  IN  A  SCHOOL
 DISTRICT OR POST-SECONDARY PARTNERSHIP AS PART OF A GROW YOUR OWN INITI-
 ATIVE,  MY  BROTHER'S KEEPER, TEACHER OPPORTUNITY CORPS PROGRAM,  HIGHER
 EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM, EDUCATION  OPPORTUNITY  PROGRAM,  OR  ANY
 OTHER SIMILAR PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE.
   2.  (A) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ANNUALLY CONVENE A STATEWIDE CONVENTION
 TO BRING TOGETHER UNDERREPRESENTED  EDUCATORS  TO  DISCUSS  EXPERIENCES,
 BEST PRACTICES, AND AFFORD FOR NETWORKING, MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND
 SUPPORT.  SUCH  CONVENTION  SHALL OCCUR AT A TIME AND LOCATION CHOSEN BY
 THE COMMISSIONER.
   (B) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ALSO PROVIDE FOR  AT  LEAST  FIVE  REGIONAL
 CONVENTIONS ANNUALLY TO BRING TOGETHER UNDERREPRESENTED EDUCATORS WITHIN
 EACH  GEOGRAPHIC  REGION OF THE STATE TO DISCUSS EXPERIENCES, BEST PRAC-
 TICES, AND AFFORD FOR NETWORKING, MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND SUPPORT.
 SUCH CONVENTIONS SHALL OCCUR AT  A  TIME  AND  LOCATION  CHOSEN  BY  THE
 COMMISSIONER.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
 
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD05341-01-3