Assemblyman Dave DiPietro (R,C,I- East Aurora) held a press conference today to announce legislation he is introducing to guarantee the state Legislature the right to terminate, modify or amend any executive order or specific provision or directive of an executive order. The aim of DiPietro’s bill is to reopen New York schools 100% and put an end to the detrimental consequences students are facing due to social isolation.

The top concern raised during the press conference was the current executive order requiring a minimum of six feet between students when they are indoors. This policy has prevented many smaller and rural schools from being able to reopen due to space constraints, even though they are otherwise compliant with CDC and state COVID guidelines.

DiPietro proposes assuaging the concerns voiced by school districts suffering from these space constrictions by allowing students to return to in-person learning so long as the schools can meet state COVID safety criteria and maintain a 3-foot distance from one another at all times.

“Parents and teachers alike across rural and suburban New York are eager and ready to safely return to in-person instruction, but because of the 6-foot rule they have been unable to do so,” said DiPietro “Not allowing schools to interact and teach students in person is having negative consequences on the educational development and mental health of our students.

“There is no reason for schools that are otherwise compliant with the bevy of safety guidelines and restrictions should be prevented from reopening because they lack the space to keep students 6-feet apart. Many schools simply do not have the physical square footage to be able to realistically comply with this executive order.

“As a legislature, we need to reclaim the immense power that has been surrendered to the governor. That starts with enumerating our ability to invalidate or amend any order issued by the executive and wielding that ability to get our kids back in the classroom before they are forced to confront further assault to their social development and education.”