New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A05855

Introduced
2/24/25  
Refer
2/24/25  

Caption

Requires the administration for children's services and New York city public school employees provide a verbal and written warning to students of such student's right to refuse an interview and right to have a supportive adult during the interview.

Impact

If enacted, A05855 would significantly enhance student protections by formalizing the process for interviews involving ACS interventions in schools. This legislative change aligns with growing awareness around child welfare and the protections needed to ensure that students are not coerced or misled during such sensitive interactions. The bill is expected to impact how public school employees and ACS staff approach interviews, potentially leading to a more transparent and supportive environment for students.

Summary

Assembly Bill A05855 seeks to amend the New York City charter and administrative code to protect students’ rights during interviews conducted by the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) or public school employees. The bill mandates that when a student is interviewed on school grounds, they must be given both verbal and written warnings concerning their rights. Specifically, the student should be informed of their right to refuse the interview, the requirement of their consent for the interview to proceed, and their entitlement to have a supportive adult present during the interview.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding A05855 may include concerns about how this bill might affect the relationship between public schools, children's services, and the families they serve. While the bill aims to empower students, some stakeholders may argue that requiring a supportive adult could complicate the interview process or discourage students from speaking candidly. Furthermore, discussions may arise regarding the implementation of these rights and the training necessary for staff to comply with the new requirements, alongside discussions of potential resource implications.

Companion Bills

NY S07535

Same As Requires the administration for children's services and New York city public school employees provide a verbal and written warning to students of such student's right to refuse an interview and right to have a supportive adult during the interview.

Previously Filed As

NY S07535

Requires the administration for children's services and New York city public school employees provide a verbal and written warning to students of such student's right to refuse an interview and right to have a supportive adult during the interview.

NY A07400

Implements a students' bill of rights for city university of New York institutions to guarantee certain rights to students at such institutions.

NY A10650

Implements a students' bill of rights for city university of New York institutions to guarantee certain rights to students at such institutions.

NY S08667

Relates to employee access to lactation rooms in the workplace; requires that employers post written policies regarding the rights of nursing employees.

NY A06606

Establishes protections for the rights of pregnant students, parenting students, and students with pregnancy-related conditions in schools; requires schools to establish liaison officers for such students and to disseminate information relating to resources available to such students; directs that rules be established to administer such rights and to establish minimum periods of time for a leave of absence at the student's option.

NY S05444

Establishes protections for the rights of pregnant students, parenting students, and students with pregnancy-related conditions in schools; requires schools to establish liaison officers for such students and to disseminate information relating to resources available to such students; directs that rules be established to administer such rights and to establish minimum periods of time for a leave of absence at the student's option.

NY A09385

Relates to due process rights for non-public school students with special needs.

NY S08842

Relates to due process rights for non-public school students with special needs.

NY A10451

Establishes a bill of rights for the unhoused; provides that no person shall be denied certain rights because of a state of homelessness nor shall such persons be harassed, cited, fined, or arrested by law enforcement, security personnel, public employees, or private citizens for the exercise of certain rights; describes rights; provides for a bill of benefits of the unhoused for the free provision of a postal address and the right to juridical services to ensure protection from the violation of their protected rights; requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to create a pamphlet of such rights; makes related provisions.

NY A10434

Establishes the "public civil rights accountability act" in relation to requiring civil rights compliance certification and training for public employees.

Similar Bills

OK HB3298

Civil procedure; Uniform Judicial Interview of Children Act; terms; scope; judicial officer; judicial interview; considerations; training; procedure; record; codification; effective date.

AZ SB1060

Internal investigations; notice; confidentiality

TX HB2160

Relating to the interview of a child in a suit affecting a parent-child relationship.

MS HB373

Custodial Interrogations Act; create and authorize electronic recording of.

SC H4778

Electronic recordings of interviews and interrogations

AZ HB2691

Officers; interviews; representative; cost

NM HB204

Refusal Of Certain Pretrial Statements

OR SB743

Relating to records of interviews in child abuse investigations.