Bill > A5618

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to establish a grant program to provide funding to school districts that seek to offer the services of therapy animals in their wellness centers or student counseling offices. Under the bill, a school district seeking to participate in the program is required to submit an application to the commissioner. The application is to include: how the district plans to use therapy animals to promote student wellness; proof of a school district policy which provides guidelines that protect the health and safety of the students and staff, as well as the therapy animals; and such other information as deemed appropriate by the commissioner. The commissioner is to select two school districts in each of the southern, central, and northern regions of the State to participate in the program and is to seek a cross section of school districts from urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State. The commissioner is required to establish the amount for each grant, based upon the availability of funds. A school district that receives a grant under the program is required to permit a teacher in the school district to use the teacher's own therapy animal for the program. The bill also provides that grant funding provided to the district may be used to pay any training fees for the teacher and the teacher's therapy animal necessary to meet the district's requirements for providing therapy animal services. The commissioner is to provide districts with guidance regarding the use of therapy animals in schools including: recommended training requirements for therapy animal handlers; recommended measures to evaluate the health and appropriate behavior of therapy animals; and insurance issues relevant to having therapy animals on school district property. School districts that participate in the program will report annually to the commissioner on their experience with, and the effects of, the program. Based on these reports, the commissioner will submit annually a report to the Governor and the Legislature on the implementation of the program. According to the sponsor, the supportive, non-judgmental companionship provided by animals has been shown to provide a myriad of physiological and psychological benefits for students, including reduced feelings of stress and anxiety.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Carol Murphy (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 06/20/2023)

Official Document