New York S 687: Establishes the transitional pathway program for students in higher education with autism spectrum disorder

Bill Text

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S00687 Summary:

BILL NOS00687 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS A09540

&nbsp

SPONSORMARTINEZ

&nbsp

COSPNSR

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Add §§355-f & 6235, Ed L

&nbsp

Establishes the transitional pathway program for students in higher education at SUNY and CUNY schools with autism spectrum disorder to encourage accessibility and inclusivity in higher education for students with autism spectrum disorder; makes related provisions.

Go to top S00687 Actions:

BILL NOS00687 

&nbsp

01/08/2025REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

01/07/2026REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

05/28/2026COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

05/28/2026ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1337

06/04/2026PASSED SENATE

06/04/2026DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

06/04/2026referred to higher education

Go to topS00687 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS00687 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS00687 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 687

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 (Prefiled)

 January 8, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. MARTINEZ -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
 printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education

 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the tran-
 sitional pathway program for students in higher education with autism
 spectrum disorder

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 355-f
 2 to read as follows:
 3 § 355-f. Establishment of a transitional pathway program. A transi-
 4 tional pathway program may be created to encourage accessibility and
 5 inclusivity in higher education for students with autism spectrum disor-
 6 der. The state university may establish such program through the state
 7 university office of disabilities, the office of university life and
 8 other relevant departments. Such transitional pathway program may
 9 include but not be limited to:
 10 (a) the creation of a peer-support program with the special education,
 11 psychology, social work, or other relevant department that would assign
 12 a peer or trained mentor to a student with autism spectrum disorder to
 13 provide academic support, social guidance and assistance with accommo-
 14 dations. Such peer-support program may further include a plan to gradu-
 15 ally increase independence as the student matriculates;
 16 (b) the provision of accommodation policies and resources for students
 17 with disabilities, particularly students with autism spectrum disorder,
 18 via the school website and within application and orientation materials
 19 for all current and prospective students;
 20 (c) a separate orientation held for students with autism spectrum
 21 disorder;

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD02760-01-5

 S. 687 2

 1 (d) the training of faculty and staff on school accommodation poli-
 2 cies, procedures and best practices to assist students with autism spec-
 3 trum disorder;
 4 (e) an evaluation of current accommodation policies and procedures to
 5 ensure legal compliance and assess if such considers the abilities and
 6 limitations of students with autism spectrum disorder and modify if
 7 needed. This may further include the establishment of protocol for the
 8 parents and guardians of students with autism spectrum disorder to
 9 provide assistance to the student as such student matriculates; and
 10 (f) a mechanism for students with autism spectrum disorder to build
 11 community and support each other which may include the provision of
 12 quiet, low-stimulating areas on campus.
 13 § 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6235 to read
 14 as follows:
 15 § 6235. Establishment of a transitional pathway program. A transi-
 16 tional pathway program may be created to encourage accessibility and
 17 inclusivity in higher education for students with autism spectrum disor-
 18 der. The city university may establish such program through the city
 19 university office of disabilities, the office of university life and
 20 other relevant departments. Such transitional pathway program may
 21 include but not be limite