Bill > S00504

This bill amends the New York Social Services Law to provide school administrators with explicit legal authority to temporarily retain custody of a child when they have reasonable cause to believe that the child's current living situation presents an imminent danger to the child's life or health. Specifically, the bill allows school officials to keep a suspected abused or maltreated child at the school or an appropriate educational facility until a law enforcement officer or child protection services official arrives and can either take custody of the child or determine that it is safe for the child to return to their parent, guardian, or custodian. This provision gives school administrators a clear legal mechanism to intervene and protect children who they believe may be in immediate risk of harm, bridging a potential gap in child protection protocols by allowing schools to temporarily safeguard a child while professional child protection services are engaged.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S504