NY A05739

Exempts parents and caretaker relatives of eligible children from public assistance eligibility penalties when lack of appropriate, suitable, and reasonably accessible child care prevents compliance with work requirements.

Modifies Social Services Law Section 131 to prevent ineligibility determinations for applicants unable to meet program requirements due to child care barriers.

Adds new exemption category to Social Services Law Section 332 for parents or caretaker relatives unable to participate in assistance programs due to inadequate child care options.

Amends Social Services Law Section 336-d to shield parents and caretaker relatives from non-compliance penalties when child care limitations prevent work requirement participation.

Takes effect 120 days after enactment, with immediate authorization for regulatory implementation.