NY A04520

Repeals and replaces section 341 of the social services law to establish new conciliation and fair hearing procedures for public assistance recipients who fail to comply with work activity requirements.

Requires social services districts to provide verbal or written notice of noncompliance in plain language, explaining specific failures, required actions, and what constitutes "good cause" exemptions including domestic violence and health limitations.

Establishes a conciliation process where participants have 7 days (safety net) or 10 days (family assistance) to request resolution of disputes, conducted by supervisory staff or independent entities without direct case responsibility.

Permits fair hearings to be conducted via video conferencing equipment when determining whether to impose sanctions for willful noncompliance without good cause.

Exempts residents of cities with populations of one million or more from these new conciliation and fair hearing procedures, and takes effect 120 days after becoming law.