Senate Bill S1996

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S1996

SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to prohibiting the use of
remote or virtual learning as a form of punishment or disciplinary
action

 
PURPOSE:

Prohibits the use of remote or virtual learning as a form of punishment
or disciplinary action.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Provides that school officials cannot require a student to
attend classes via remote or virtual learning as a form of punishment or
disciplinary action, with limited exceptions for public health needs.

Section 2: Sets the effective date.

              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses, government, and schools to
quickly innovate and adapt to working remotely. This fundamental change
to how we learn enabled many students to continue learning even in the
face of an overwhelming public health crisis. It also revealed many
disparities that we will continue to address long after the COVID-19
crisis ends, especially how we ensure that each student has access to
sufficient technology and connectivity to succeed in remote learning. As
schools re-open full time to all students, we must now also begin to
determine what role remote or virtual instruction will play as part of
education in New York State. There are many potential benefits that
promise to offer families greater flexibility and accessibility in
schools. There is one use for remote learning that should not be on the
table: use of remote or virtual learning as a punishment. The use of
remote learning as a punishment for students has received some attention
in the national media. This legislation will prohibit the use of remote
learning as a form of punishment or disciplinary action except in limit-
ed circumstances related to compliance with public health orders.

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:

To be determined.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021-2022 - S.6794 (May) / A.7913 (Jean-Pierre)

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.