NY S03596

Applies new re-engagement and conciliation procedures to public assistance recipients in cities with populations of one million or more who fail or refuse to comply with employment program requirements

Requires social services districts to issue a re-engagement notice in plain language giving participants ten days to request re-engagement, and prohibits sanctions during the re-engagement process

Establishes a conciliation conference procedure mediated by an independent entity or trained supervisory staff to resolve disputes, with fair hearing rights available if disputes cannot be resolved

Requires districts to verify that appropriate child care, transportation, and accommodations for disability were in place before imposing pro-rata benefit reductions for non-compliance

Allows pro-rata reduction of benefits for parents or caretakers with dependent children, or Safety Net Assistance recipients, only after determining non-compliance was willful and without good cause, with good cause including lack of available child care, net loss of income, or other circumstances beyond household control