File #: Int 0143-2014    Version: * Name: Requiring the dept of education to implement a brief period of silent meditation in all schools on September 11th to commemorate those who perished as a result of the attack on the World Trade Center.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Education
On agenda: 3/12/2014
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of education to implement a brief period of silent meditation in all schools on September 11th to commemorate those who perished as a result of the attack on the World Trade Center which occurred on September 11, 2001.
Sponsors: Steven Matteo, Costa G. Constantinides, Vincent J. Gentile, Peter A. Koo, Annabel Palma, Donovan J. Richards, Deborah L. Rose, Paul A. Vallone, Karen Koslowitz, Eric A. Ulrich
Council Member Sponsors: 10

Int. No. 143

 

By Council Members Matteo, Constantinides, Gentile, Koo, Palma, Richards, Rose, Vallone, Koslowitz and Ulrich

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of education to implement a brief period of silent meditation in all schools on  September 11th to commemorate those who perished as a result of the attack on the World Trade Center which occurred on September 11, 2001.

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. The administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new title 21-A to read as follows:

Title 21-A Education.

Chapter 1 Department of Education.

Chapter 2 Silent meditation to commemorate

those who perished on September 11, 2001.

 

Chapter 1 Department of Education.

§21-950 Definitions. Whenever used in this title, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

a. “Chancellor” shall mean the chancellor of the New York city department of education.

b. “Department” shall mean the New York city department of education.

c. “Student” shall mean any pupil under the age of twenty-one under the jurisdiction of the

New York city department of education.

Chapter 2. Silent Meditation to Commemorate those who perished on September 11, 2011

§21-951 Silent meditation. a. For the purposes of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1. “Schools” shall mean any school under the jurisdiction of the department including, but not limited to, charter schools.

2. “Silent meditation” shall mean a period of silence during which students have an opportunity for individual reflection.

b. Each school shall implement a brief period of silent meditation annually on the morning of September 11th in order to commemorate the events that took place on September 11, 2001. Such silent meditation shall occur only on days during which September 11th falls on a calendar day in which such school is in session.          

c. Pursuant to subdivision b of this section, the chancellor shall determine the actual time of day during which silent meditation will occur. The chancellor shall also determine a reasonable length of time during which students will participate in the silent meditation.      

d. In accordance with state education law section 3029-a, silent meditation is not intended to be and shall not be conducted as a religious service or exercise. 

§2. This local law shall take effect immediately after its enactment into law.

 

AES

Int 1180/2013

LS 40/2014

2/12/14