NY A06148

Amends Social Services Law Section 131 to establish a state policy encouraging children to be raised in households with married adults or two adult households, directing the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to create policies supporting this goal.

Requires the commissioner to seek federal waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture or other federal agencies to exclude household income from public assistance eligibility determinations for married or two adult households.

Adds new exemption to Social Services Law Section 131-n allowing income and resources from a recently married spouse, non-custodial parent, step-parent, or adoptive adult living in the household to be exempted up to 175% of the federal poverty line, subject to written approval from the local social services commissioner.

Requires the commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations for processing written requests for relief under the new income and resource exemption provisions.

Takes effect 180 days after becoming law, with the resource exemption amendments automatically expiring upon the expiration of Section 131-n.