NY A01946

Repeals and replaces section 341 of the Social Services Law to establish new conciliation and fair hearing procedures for welfare recipients who fail to comply with work activity requirements.

Requires social services districts to provide verbal or written notice of noncompliance that explains the failure, specific instances of refusal, actions needed to avoid benefit reductions, and what constitutes "good cause" for exemption (including domestic violence and health limitations).

Allows social services districts to engage in conciliation efforts at the time of verbal notice or provides recipients 7-10 days to request conciliation, with determinations made within 14-30 days depending on assistance type.

Permits fair hearings to be conducted via video conferencing equipment and establishes that conciliation must be mediated by trained supervisory staff or independent entities with no direct responsibility for the participant's case.

Exempts persons residing in cities with populations of one million or more from these provisions and establishes good cause exceptions for lack of child care, net loss of income, and other circumstances defined by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.