NY A04859

Repeals and replaces Section 341 of Social Services Law to establish new procedures for notifying public assistance recipients of noncompliance with work activity requirements, with notices to be provided verbally or in writing explaining specific failures and actions needed to avoid benefit reductions.

Requires social services districts to provide conciliation opportunities for recipients to resolve noncompliance disputes, with disputes resolved within 14 days for safety net participants or 30 days for family assistance participants, and prohibits imposing sanctions during the conciliation process.

Authorizes social services districts to conduct fair hearings using video conferencing equipment when recipients dispute determinations of willful noncompliance without good cause.

Exempts persons in cities with populations of one million or more people from these conciliation and fair hearing procedures.

Amends Section 341-a to allow social services districts to offer conciliation efforts at the same time as initial noncompliance notices and clarifies that fair hearings may be conducted via video conferencing.