Bill > S09644

This bill, an act to amend education law and state finance law, introduces several new requirements and prohibitions for charter schools. It mandates that charter school applications must meet additional criteria, and existing charter schools will face stricter rules regarding student discipline, ensuring compliance with due process and federal laws for students with disabilities. The bill also revises enrollment targets for specific student populations, such as students with disabilities and English language learners, requiring them to be comparable to those in traditional public schools. Furthermore, charter schools will be subject to new financial disclosure requirements, including reporting executive compensation and any contributions or gifts exceeding a certain amount, and their financial statements will need to meet generally accepted accounting principles and undergo independent audits if their assets exceed one million dollars. The bill also imposes stricter regulations on contracts with management companies, requiring them to provide access to financial records for auditing purposes, and mandates that construction, repair, or demolition of charter school facilities must adhere to specific general municipal and labor laws. Additionally, it clarifies admission policies, requiring charter schools to enroll an equal or greater number of students with disabilities, English language learners, and students eligible for free/reduced lunch compared to local public schools, and introduces new procedures for handling student enrollment disputes and disciplinary actions. Finally, the bill addresses the financial oversight of charter schools by requiring the return of excess funds to school districts and establishing a process for intercepting state funds if a district fails to make required payments, while also clarifying that public educational entities are not considered "not-for-profit organizations" for certain purposes.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9644