Legislator Lark Rutecki (District 6 – City of Rensselaer) Introduces Resolution P/64/26 In Support of “Student Safety, Parent Notification, and Transparency Act.”
Chairperson of the NYS Assembly Disabilities Committee, Member Angelo Santabarbara, recently introduced state legislation (NYS Assembly Bill A.9592) that would prohibit the use of ‘timeout boxes’, mandate independent investigations of serious isolation and restraint incidents and place other oversight requirements on similar behavioral interventions. As reported in the Times Union, he was motivated by news reports of a district’s use of the “timeout boxes,” as well as others recent cases, including a librarian who allegedly stepped on a student’s back in Schenectady and a child who was injured after use of a restraint in Rensselaer County.
“The regulations are not doing the job,” Santabarbara said. “The system is clearly broken.”
Legislator Lark Rutecki, who represents the City of Rensselaer, states, “We assume that many of these measures are already law. Families with disabled children need to have confidence that when the school doors close, our kids are safe and protected.”
Lark and her husband met with Assembly member Santabarbara last year after an incident involving their own son. They discussed the possibility of legislation that would help protect disabled students. “We can’t go back in time and change what happened. But we can advocate for families and disabled children who are faced with the unthinkable.”
Rutecki cited two elements of the legislation she believes will be critical for families – Independence and access. If passed, the “Student Safety, Parent, Notification, and Transparency Act” (A09592) will:
(1) Require independent review of serious incidents involving students with disabilities
(2) Allows parents to access incident reports, photographs or video
Lark continued: “Access and independence. Families need the legal right of access to this information. Districts need to be obligated under the law so they too are protected. And serious incidents need to be reviewed by someone with complete independence. This should be obvious. It will go a long way towards rebuilding confidence.”
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, April 14, 2026 in the Rensselaer County Chambers located at 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, NY.
PUBLIC FORUM – Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Residents are welcome to contact our office at 518 270-2890.
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