Senate Bill S6338A

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6338A

SPONSOR: RAMOS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring certain
public schools to offer Halal food options and Kosher food options
during lunch

 
PURPOSE:

This bill requires public schools with five hundred or more students
practicing Halal and the Jewish law requirements known as Kosher, to
offer Halal and Kosher food options during lunch.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Amends the education law by a new Section 915-a, which
requires any school or school district where the board of education or
trustees determine that such school or school district has a Muslim
population greater than or equal to ten percent of the student body or
where Halal food options are otherwise requested by relevant individuals
              

or entities shall offer Halal food options during lunch.

The education law is amended by also adding a new Section 915-b, which
requires any school or school district where the board of education or
trustees determine that such school or school district has a Jewish
population greater than or equal to two percent of the student body or
where Kosher food options are otherwise requested by relevant individ-
uals or entities shall offer Kosher food options during lunch.

Section 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day
after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition,
amendment and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the
implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be
made on or before such date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In a city with ethnic diversity such as New York City, the population of
residents and children under Islamic and Jewish faith is rising.  Over
the last 10-20 years, we have seen higher increases of both Muslim and
Jewish faiths in the suburbs and rural areas in New York State. Because
of their religious dietary requirements, these students, who are attend-
ing public schools in New York City, are restricted in what they can eat
during lunch at school. In certain cases, students have to throw out
non-halal and kosher lunches or often do not eat at all causing
disruption in the learning process.  Offering students options of Halal
and Kosher food during lunch not only accommodates their dietary
restriction but also enhances students' awareness and respect for diver-
sity in cultures, religions, and ethnicities.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017/18: A.4750-A Referred to Education

 
FISCAL IMPACT:

Unknown
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred-twentieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the implementa-
tion of this act on its effective date is authorized to be made on or
before such date.