BILL NUMBER: S4903
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring a physi-
cian who treats a minor patient with a medical condition to provide
certain educational information to such patient's parents or guardians
 
PURPOSE OF GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To provide potential life saving information to parents and guardians of
children with certain medical conditions about their right to request a
504 education designation.
 
SUMMARY: OF SPECIFIC PROVISION:
Section 1 provides that this act shall be known as the "Shepherd Patter-
son law."
Section 2 establishes a new section 2500-n in public health law requir-
ing the Department of Health, in consultation with the State Education
Department, to develop an informational pamphlet for health care profes-
sionals to distribute to the parents or guardians of a minor patient who
is diagnosed with a medical condition that may cause a disability as
defined under section 504 of the federal rehabilitation act of 1973.
Such a pamphlet must indicate that the child may be entitled to a free
and appropriate public education, which may include accommodations for
the delivery of programs and services.
Section 3 states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Parents and guardians of children with life-threatening medical condi-
tions may be unaware of educational accommodations available to their
children and the possible life-saving benefit of sharing medical infor-
mation with school staff. This bill is intended to provide these parents
and guardians with information about education accommodations to help
their children and to inform teachers, principals and school staff on
the medical needs of their children.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S2995/A4034 - Passed Senate/ Died in Health
2021-2022: S4150C - Passed Senate
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Ninety days after enactment, with any rule or regulation needed to
implement this act effective immediately.