Bill > A00146

This bill amends the New York State Education Law to prohibit certain state, municipal, and agency employees from serving as impartial hearing officers in special education appeals involving children with handicapping conditions. Specifically, the bill prevents individuals from serving as hearing officers if they are employees of the state or local educational agency involved in the child's education, or if they work for a municipality or agency where a potential conflict of interest might exist. The bill requires that impartial hearing officers be selected from a list of trained professionals using a rotation selection process, and mandates that these officers cannot have a personal or professional interest that could compromise their objectivity. The hearing officers must have completed a training program conducted by the state education department and are subject to potential suspension or revocation of their certification if they do not meet established standards. The law aims to ensure greater neutrality and fairness in special education dispute resolution by creating stricter guidelines for who can serve as an impartial hearing officer in cases involving students with disabilities.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A146