NY A02529

Prohibits social services officials from accepting deeds of real property and/or mortgages on behalf of social services districts, reversing prior authority to do so.

Exempts deeds and mortgages accepted before the bill's effective date from the prohibition, but prevents officials from recovering SNAP, child care services, Emergency Assistance to Adults, or HEAP payments through these instruments.

Requires applicants or recipients to receive signed acknowledgment before providing a deed or mortgage, stating that certain benefits cannot be recovered and that children remain eligible for public assistance if the applicant declines to provide a lien or mortgage.

Maintains existing requirements for biennial accounting statements to property owners, redemption rights for property, and public sale procedures, with penalties if accounting is not provided on time.

Takes effect on April 1 following enactment and repeals former provisions in Section 360 regarding deeds and mortgages as conditions for family assistance.