NY A02455

Repeals the geographic limitation that restricted conciliation and non-compliance provisions to cities with populations of one million or more, making these protections apply statewide.

Requires social services districts to issue a re-engagement notice before imposing sanctions, giving participants ten days to request a conciliation conference to avoid pro-rata benefit reductions.

Establishes that conciliation conferences must be mediated by independent entities or trained supervisory staff with no direct responsibility for the participant's case, with no sanctions imposed during the re-engagement process.

Requires districts to verify that appropriate child care, transportation, and disability accommodations were in place before determining a participant willfully failed to comply without good cause.

Allows participants to immediately terminate sanctions by agreeing to comply with work requirements (consistent with medical conditions) or notifying the district of an exemption, and provides written reminders of this option after thirty days of sanction.