Directs the commissioner of education to establish a commission to study the needs of adolescents and the effect that school day start times have on the health and academic performance of students.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3183
SPONSOR: Rosenthal TITLE OF BILL:
An act directing the commissioner of education to establish a commission
to study the needs of adolescents and the effect that school day start
times have on the health and academic performance of students; and
providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE:
To study the issue of school start times and their effect on adolescents
and to make recommendations on how to implement later start times state-
wide
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one directs the commissioner of education to create a commission
to study and create a report on the sleep needs of adolescents and the
role that school day start times play in the health and academic
performance of students.
Section two sets forth the duties of the commission.
Section three establishes the composition of the commission.
Section four states that one appointment made by the Governor shall
serve as chair. Section five states that members of such commission will
serve without compensation.
Section six requires all departments, divisions, bureaus, commissions,
districts or agencies of the state or political subdivisions thereof
provide the commission with necessary data as requested.
Section seven requires the commission to compile and submit a report of
their findings. Section eight sets forth the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State has more than 700 school districts serving more than 2.5
million students. The majority of these schools begin their first class
each morning between 7:30 and 8:14 am, not including a "zero period"
where some students opt to arrive earlier for an additional class. By
beginning the school day so early, many teenagers are unable to get the
9-10 hours of sleep that studies by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommend, especially if they travel from rural areas or take
a school bus.
Research has shown that adolescents who consistently do not get the
recommended 9-10 hours of sleep each night are at greater risk of obesi-
ty, depression, and immune system.disruption, and are more likely to be
involved in drowsy-driving related car crashes, earn lower test scores
and have more school attendance issues. By delaying school start times,
students will be more likely to reach the recommended hours of sleep
each night. Despite the American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, and American Medical Association all
recommending that middle and high schools not begin their classes earli-
er than 8:30 am, 43% of public high schools nationwide still begin
before 8:00 am.
This legislation will direct the commissioner of education in New York
State to form a commission to study the issue of school start times and
the effects they have on the health and wellbeing of adolescents, and
require the commission to compile a report on their findings, including
recommendations on how to best implement later start times.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: A.1167 - Referred to Education
2021-22: A.3448 - Referred to Education
2019-20: A.8668 - Referred to Education
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and expire 18 months after such
date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
3183
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 23, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Education
AN ACT directing the commissioner of education to establish a commission
to study the needs of adolescents and the effect that school day start
times have on the health and academic performance of students; and
providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The commissioner of education is hereby authorized and
2 directed to create a commission to study and create a report on the
3 sleep needs of adolescents and the effect that school day start times
4 have on the health and academic performance of students.
5 § 2. The commission shall:
6 (i) study the feasibility of all schools in New York state implement-
7 ing later school day start times;
8 (ii) conduct a review of the scientific findings relative to sleep
9 needs of adolescents and the effect that school day start times have on
10 the health and academic performance of students;
11 (iii) determine the number of districts in the state that have imple-
12 mented later school day start times for schools and examine the health
13 and safety impacts and academic performance of students, including
14 performance on statewide tests; and
15 (iv) identify resources and opportunities to assist districts in
16 implementing minimum standards for healthy school day start times for
17 schools consistent with the recommendation of the American Academy of
18 Pediatrics.
19 § 3. The commission shall consist of a total of nine members who shall
20 be appointed not later than the thirtieth day after the effective date
21 of this section and shall include:
22 (i) two members appointed by the governor;
23 (ii) two members appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06069-01-5
A. 3183 2
1 (iii) two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly; and
2 (iv) three members appointed by the commissioner of the department of
3 education, one such member shall be a doctor specializing in sleep medi-
4 cine.
5 § 4. One of the appointments by the governor shall serve as chair-
6 person of the commission.
7 § 5. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation,
8 but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses reasonably incurred in the
9 performance of their duties.
10 § 6. All departments, divisions, bureaus, commissions, districts or
11 agencies of the state or any political subdivisions thereof shall, at
12 the request of the chairperson, provide the commission with such facili-
13 ties, assistance and data as will enable the commission to carry out its
14 powers and duties.
15 § 7. The commission shall make a report to the governor and the legis-
16 lature of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations not later than
17 one year after the effective date of this section, and shall submit with
18 its report such legislative proposals as it deems necessary to implement
19 its recommendations.
20 § 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
21 deemed repealed eighteen months after such date.
