NY A08673

Amends Education Law Section 1950 to authorize boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) to contract with individual public libraries or public library systems for high-speed telecommunications services, including high-speed internet.

Requires all proposed contracts between BOCES and public libraries to be subject to review and written approval by the Commissioner of Education.

The Commissioner may only approve contracts that: (A) result in more economical use of existing BOCES high-speed telecommunications services or resources; (B) do not disrupt service levels to component school districts; and (C) result in more economical use of existing library resources.

Requires the Commissioner to issue a written finding when making any determination on contract approval.

Takes effect 120 days after becoming law.