NY A03611

Repeals Section 341 of the social services law and renames Section 341-a as Section 341, removing the provision limiting application to cities with populations of one million or more.

Requires social services districts to issue re-engagement notices to participants who fail or refuse to comply with work activity requirements, offering them 10 days to request re-engagement and avoid benefit reductions through compliance, exemption, or conciliation.

Establishes a conciliation procedure requiring districts to contract with independent mediators or use trained supervisory staff to resolve disputes related to program participation, with fair hearings available if disputes cannot be resolved.

Prohibits imposing sanctions during the re-engagement process and requires districts to provide written reminders after 30 days of continued non-compliance of the option to terminate sanctions by agreeing to comply or becoming exempt.

Specifies that no action may be taken for non-compliance unless the district verifies that appropriate child care, transportation, and disability accommodations were in place, and establishes good cause exceptions including unavailable child care, net loss of cash income, and other circumstances beyond household control.