New York Assembly Bill A08827

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/9/25
• Refer: 6/9/25

Caption

Requires the school of a child who has their parent, guardian, or other person legally charged with the care or custody of such child arrested or whose house has been visited by police be informed of such arrest or visitation and the school establish procedures to best help such child.

Impact

If enacted, A08827 will have significant implications on state laws pertaining to child welfare and education. By obligating schools to implement trauma-sensitive interventions and informing staff about police interactions, the bill will promote a structured response to ensure children's safety and well-being. The training for school personnel designed by the commissioner will emphasize recognizing and addressing behavioral and emotional changes in children resulting from these encounters, potentially leading to legislative changes in how community services are integrated within educational institutions.

Summary

Bill A08827 seeks to amend existing laws in New York, aiming to better protect and support children in situations where their parents or guardians are arrested or are visited by police at home. The bill requires that schools be informed of such events and mandates the establishment of specific procedures aimed at helping the affected children. This initiative is grounded in recognizing the potential emotional and psychological impacts of police interactions on minors and the necessity for support systems within educational environments.

Contention

Discussion around A08827 is likely to invite various opinions. Proponents advocate for the importance of safeguarding children’s emotional health during potentially traumatic police encounters, arguing that informed school personnel can play a crucial role in aiding these children. Critics may raise concerns about the logistics and funding of such training programs and highlight the burden of compliance it places on educational institutions. Furthermore, there may be debates regarding how effectively the bill addresses the broader issues of systemic trauma in communities affected by high rates of police encounters.