Sponsor: Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D14)

Sponsors: Senators John O. Bennett (R12), James S. Cafiero (R1) and Linda R. Greenstein (D14)

Summary: Permits students with disabilities attending institutions of higher education to make reasonable substitutions of specific courses required to complete their degree.

Comments: This law applies to students attending a public institution of higher education in the State, attending an independent institution of higher education that receives direct State aid, or attending a degree-granting post secondary institution whose students are eligible for State tuition grants and scholarships. The bill provides that a student of such institutions who has a hearing or visual impairment or who has a learning disability is eligible for reasonable substitution of specific courses required for the completion of degree requirements. The student must provide documentation that: (1) the request for substitution of a specific course is related to the student's disability; (2) that the substitution of a specific course does not constitute a fundamental alteration in the nature of the degree requirements; and (3) that the specific course is not required for professional certification. Moreover, the student must establish that the specific course is not offered as a requirement for a degree in a health profession.

Current Status: Substitute signed into law December 11, 2002

Legislative Activity:
10/21/02 Introduced and referred to Assembly Education Committee 10/24/02 Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly

11/18/02 Substituted by S106 (1R)

Last Session: A4015

Current Status: Signed into law December 11, 2002

Legislative Activity:
1/8/02 Introduced and referred to Senate Education Committee 3/14/02 Reported out of committee with committee amendments, 2^nd reading in Senate

3/25/02 Passed in Senate 39-0

3/25/02 Received in Assembly and referred to Assembly Education Committee

10/24/02 Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly 11/18/02 Substituted for A2942

11/18/02 Passed in Assembly and sent to Governor 76-0-1

12/11/02 Signed by the Governor P.L. 2002, c.110