NY A04516

Requires public school districts to establish language assistance programs for limited English proficient (LEP) parents, including translated written materials, assistance for phone calls and in-person visits, and interpretation at parent-teacher conferences, workshops, and school fairs

Mandates that materials and assistance be provided in the parent's "primary language," defined as one of the five most common non-English languages spoken by LEP parents in each district

Requires districts to notify LEP parents of available language assistance services in writing in their primary language

Obligates districts to maintain records and submit annual reports to the commissioner documenting the number of LEP parents served, households with one English-proficient parent, complaints filed, and bilingual personnel used

Applies only to school districts where non-English speaking or LEP residents constitute more than 5% of the population based on the two most recent federal censuses; allows districts to enter cooperative agreements to jointly establish programs