Social Services

Requires all state and private agencies with mandatory reporters of incidents involving vulnerable people to retrain all staff on reporting to a 9-1-1 operator and the county district attorney's office and state and private websites; requires written materials to be updated.

Requires any website or mobile application associated with an electronic benefit transfer system to be offered in the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficient individuals in the state, based on data in the most recent American Community Survey published by the United States Census Bureau.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to make publicly available on its website information regarding waivers, rental supplement plans and shelter supplement plans.

Relates to access to educational activities by public assistance recipients who are subject to work participation requirements; allows homework expected or required by an educational institution to count towards satisfaction of the work activity requirements for public assistance benefits for participants engaged in certain educational or training activities.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance, in conjunction with the office of mental health and the office of children and family services, to develop a mental illness training course to be utilized by providers of temporary housing assistance to focus on recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness.

Establishes a fiscal cliff task force to conduct a study on fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs and to make recommendations related thereto.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to make publicly available on its website information regarding waivers, rental supplement plans and shelter supplement plans.

Increases the amount certain individuals are eligible for when receiving enhanced residential care.

Increases the amount certain individuals are eligible for when receiving enhanced residential care.

Guarantees localities the ability to use state funds to provide public benefits to non-citizens, including prevention services, adoption subsidy, kinship guardianship assistance, after-care services for youth and families involved with child welfare, child care assistance, and all other public services and benefits.

Establishes a waiver program allowing a domestic violence residential program to apply to the office of children and family services for a waiver enabling a victim of domestic violence to remain at the program's shelter for a period exceeding one hundred and eighty days.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance, in conjunction with the office of mental health and the office of children and family services, to develop a mental illness training course to be utilized by providers of temporary housing assistance to focus on recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness.

Relates to the establishment of a healthy birth grant demonstration program; excludes healthy birth grants from income for certain purposes.

Establishes a co-shelter toolkit of best practices, resources, case studies and other information deemed helpful to inform and encourage the implementation and sustenance of co-shelter models for victims of domestic violence and people experiencing homelessness with companion animals; makes related provisions.

Provides for certain procedures to be followed when there is a determination of suspected child abuse or neglect; establishes duties to investigate; relates to examinations of the child in a suspected case of child abuse.

Removes the requirement that any earned income from a homeless family in Westchester county receiving temporary housing assistance be applied to room and board, or to eliminate a need for temporary housing assistance, or as a condition to receive temporary housing assistance.

Exempts aid derived from funding from childcare stabilization grants, childcare desert funding, or other non-recurring funding, issued by the office of children and family services to childcare providers from income for the purpose of determining aid provided pursuant to public assistance programs.

Establishes the standardized human-trafficking recognition training program for private transportation services employees; requires private transportation services to require all employees to undergo a human-trafficking recognition training program established by the division of criminal justice services and the office of temporary and disability assistance in consultation with the department of transportation and the New York state interagency task force on human trafficking.

Allows for SNAP benefits to be used to purchase menstrual products including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons and panty liners.

Relates to the composition of the interagency task force on human trafficking and when such reports shall be submitted.

Establishes an office of fair share enforcement to oversee compliance with fair share mandates for siting of homeless shelters; provides for fair distribution of homeless shelters across municipalities and community districts to best serve the homeless population; requires reporting; makes related provisions.

Establishes the 2-1-1 essential community services hotline system; designates the office of children and family services to oversee the hotline system; establishes the availability and scope of information to be provided by the hotline system and requirements of call centers; requires the office of children and family services to collect certain data relating to the hotline system and to make annual reports to the governor and the legislature.

Provides privacy protections for public benefits recipients regarding disclosure or inquiry about immigration status and eligibility; provides penalties for employees of state or local agencies that knowingly violate such provisions; directs OTDA to promulgate rules and regulations and submit an annual report regarding compliance with, and complaints regarding, violations of such provisions.

Provides that an applicant for the cooling assistance component of the home energy assistance program shall not be required to demonstrate that the household contains at least one person with a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat to be eligible for a cooling assistance component benefit.

Requires that applications for payment of burial expenses by a local public welfare official or for reimbursement by a local public welfare official for burial expenses paid by relatives or friends of the deceased shall include all necessary consent forms to permit the public welfare official to directly verify the deceased left no funds or insurance sufficient to pay burial expenses and shall be due no earlier than thirty days following the death of the recipient of public assistance or care.

Directs the office of temporary and disability assistance to promulgate rules and regulations requiring quarterly inspections of homeless shelters.

Increases the personal needs allowance for residents of certain residential health care facilities from fifty-five dollars to one hundred dollars per month.

Directs the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability assistance to develop and implement a program to replace all EBT cards issued in the state which utilize magnetic strips with cards that utilize chip technology.

Allows for three forty-five day extensions of necessary and available emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence instead of the current two forty-five day extensions.

Requires menstrual products to be provided in drop-in centers, intake shelters and emergency congregate housing.

Enacts the HOPE pilot program; allows households to apply for multiple food and anti-poverty benefits simultaneously online; enables families to work with nonprofit and government agencies to enact action plans to boost their long-term self-sufficiency.

Requires undocumented immigrants to submit to the same level of background checks as lawful immigrants in order to use certain state resources.

Permits appeals to the department of family assistance to be conducted by means of a conference telephone, video conference or similar communications systems with and by independent hearing officers.

Requires a local social services district to accept or deny an application for public assistance as soon as possible but no later than thirty days after the date of the application.

Establishes a two generation pilot program to promote family stability and children's school readiness; provides for the repeal of this section in five years.

Requires the department of social services to apply for a waiver or request authorization to create a list of healthy and nutritious foods and beverages that may be purchased with supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits.

Establishes rental vouchers for working families; provides definitions; allows for families to make an application for rental vouchers at the appropriate social services district or any facilitated enrollment site authorized by the office of temporary and disability assistance; sets forth eligibility requirements.

Increases the federal poverty level requirement for recipients where it concerns the one-time disregard of earned income following job entry.

Creates the incentivizing habitability opportunity program; provides that each local social services district shall provide an incentive to owners who enter into a residential lease or rental agreement with an eligible household for a qualified dwelling unit in order to address homelessness and ensure appropriate habitability standards.

Establishes a user-friendly benefits cliff calculator tool that allows users to understand how changes to gross income can affect eligibility for public assistance programs and long-term financial self-sufficiency and sustainability.

Creates caseload standards for adult protective services workers such that such workers have no more than thirty cases at any time.

Authorizes the reissuance of emergency assistance to needy families with children, safety net assistance, SNAP benefits, or emergency assistance for aged, blind and disabled persons in instances of fraud or theft of benefits.

Requires social services districts to, every heating season, automatically re-enroll persons or households currently receiving assistance through the low-income home energy assistance program, so long as each person or household maintains eligibility.

Extends the period given to certain applicants for public assistance benefits to request a fair hearing on a determination of their ability to participate in work activities from ten days to sixty days or within sixty days of receipt of a work activity assignment.

Provides for supports and services for unaccompanied minors with no lawful immigration status including legal representation.

Exempts income earned by a head of household or any person in the household from certain job training or adult education programs from the determination of need for public assistance programs.

Provides that applicants for or recipients of SNAP benefits shall not be subjected to finger imaging as a requirement of the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Establishes the New York healthy incentive program (Part A); automates SNAP and the New York healthy incentive program (Part B); establishes the New York healthy incentive program outreach program (Part C).

Requires that recipients of public assistance benefits must be residents of the state for at least ninety days prior to applying for such benefits.

Establishes a full year youth and young adult employment immersion program under the office of temporary and disability assistance for persons aged sixteen to twenty-four who have an income below two hundred sixty-five percent of the federal poverty line.

Establishes a five-year window for any entity participating in the New York state supportive housing program (NYSSHP) in good standing with such program to participate in a request for proposal to increase their contract rates up to ESSHI levels.

Ensures adequate access to information by individuals who have limited English proficiency.

Requires recipients of public assistance benefits submit to pre-qualification drug screening and testing, random drug testing, reasonable suspicion drug testing and resumption of benefits drug testing.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance promulgate regulations and create policies to encourage married adults or two adult households when determining the standard of need for eligibility for public assistance programs; and to exempt certain income and resources for such adults and households.

Increases personal needs allowance amounts for individuals who are deemed eligible; requires that payments be subject to an annual adjustment reflecting the latest consumer price index, all items-U.S. city average.

Establishes the housing people and animals together grant program to expand access for co-sheltering people experiencing homelessness and victims of domestic violence with companion animals.

Establishes the baby bucks allowance to provide income to eligible participants for the last three months of pregnancy and the first 18 months of the child's life; excludes income received from the baby bucks allowance for purposes of supplemental nutrition assistance program eligibility.

Relates to making certain housing programs available regardless of immigration status; provides that local social services districts in a city with a population of five million or more shall be permitted to offer certain housing programs to individuals or families who would be eligible but for a federal law restricting eligibility based on immigration.

Relates to services for victims of domestic violence; provides that the department of social services shall ensure there is sufficient access to domestic violence services in every county; eliminates per diem reimbursement rates for domestic violence programs.

Prohibits requiring that an individual have a court proceeding initiated against them in order to qualify for a rent arrears grant or ongoing rental assistance.

Establishes a state SNAP minimum benefit program to provide a minimum amount of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits that is higher than the amount of federal SNAP benefits.

Requires the implementation of an electronic benefit transfer system using industry-standard commercial electronic funds transfer technology.

Relates to the standards of monthly need for persons in receipt of public assistance; provides for an increased monthly allowance for persons and families residing in shelters.

Relates to increasing the standards of monthly need and home energy grant amounts for persons in receipt of public assistance.

Relates to eliminating rent for homeless shelters; provides that a homeless individual or family applying for or receiving temporary housing assistance shall not be required to pay to any local or state government or agency or any provider, room and board or contribute any earned or unearned income, available benefits or resources to eliminate their need for temporary housing assistance or as a condition to receive temporary housing assistance from such provider.

Makes migrant youth under the age of 25 who are receiving runaway and homeless youth services eligible to receive housing vouchers under the family homelessness and eviction prevention supplement ("FHEPS") program.

Directs social services districts to contract with non-residential programs for victims of domestic violence to provide outreach and education to students in public and private high schools; provides for state reimbursement therefor.

Directs the social services district to take no action to establish paternity or a child support order when the applicant or recipient for aid to dependent children has established good cause to refuse to cooperate.

Relates to access to educational activities by public assistance recipients who are subject to work participation requirements; allows homework expected or required by an educational institution to count towards satisfaction of the work activity requirements for public assistance benefits for participants engaged in certain educational or training activities.

Expands the membership of the interagency task force on trafficking in persons to include the commissioner of the department of transportation, the commissioner of the department of motor vehicles and the executive director of the New York state thruway authority.

Extends provisions relating to enforcement of support obligations through the suspension of driving privileges.

Relates to conciliation and non-compliance with public assistance employment.

Allows for SNAP benefits to be used to purchase menstrual products.

Requires the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability assistance to provide for automated identification of OTDA program participants for participation in utility corporation affordability programs for water service affordability.

Requires the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability assistance to provide for automated identification of OTDA program participants for participation in utility corporation affordability programs for water service affordability.

Includes water-works corporations in the definition of "utility corporation" for purposes of automated identification of OTDA assistance program participants; provides for automated identification of OTDA assistance program participants for participation in water service affordability programs.

Establishes a fiscal cliff task force to conduct a study on fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs and to make recommendations related thereto.

Removes references to the number of hours of care provided by a caregiver each week from the definition of caregiver for purposes of authorizing criminal history checks.

Directs the commissioner of social services to study and report on the prevalence and threat of SNAP/EBT benefit fraud.

Establishes an emergency heating energy assistance program benefit to provide emergency assistance to certain households where such household is threatened with shut-off or an energy emergency due to nonpayment.

Increases the time frame for payments of certain expenses by adoptive parents to 180 days prior to birth and 45 days after birth.

Requires any website or mobile application associated with an electronic benefit transfer system to be offered in the ten most common non-English languages spoken by individuals with limited-English proficiency in the state of New York, based on United States census data.

Requires the implementation of an electronic benefit transfer system using industry-standard commercial electronic funds transfer technology.

Directs the commissioner of social services to study and report of the prevalence and threat of SNAP/EBT benefit fraud.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance, in conjunction with the office of mental health and the office of children and family services, to develop a mental illness training course to be utilized by providers of temporary housing assistance to focus on recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness.

Increases the time frame for payments of certain expenses by adoptive parents to 180 days prior to birth and 45 days after birth.

Relates to conciliation and non-compliance with public assistance employment.

Expands the membership of the interagency task force on trafficking in persons to include the commissioner of the department of transportation, the commissioner of the department of motor vehicles and the executive director of the New York state thruway authority.

Requires undocumented immigrants to submit to the same level of health background check and be vaccinated in order to use certain state resources.

Extends the period given to certain applicants for public assistance benefits to request a fair hearing on a determination of their ability to participate in work activities from ten days to sixty days or within sixty days of receipt of a work activity assignment.

Prohibits requiring that an individual have a court proceeding initiated against him or her in order to qualify for a rent arrears grant or ongoing rental assistance.

Provides "WiFi service" internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; relates to funding for internet service under the ConnectAll digital equity grant program.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to provide an informational notice to supportive housing tenants which contains information about a supportive housing tenant's rights as a tenant, information about their building and other related information.

Allows for SNAP benefits to be used to purchase menstrual products.

Increases the amount certain individuals are eligible for when receiving enhanced residential care.

Provides that schools, child day cares, day care centers, or community based organizations which support activities for children under the age of eighteen can not serve as a shelter for migrants.

Exempts income earned by a head of household or any person in the household from certain job training or adult education programs from the determination of need for public assistance programs.

Relates to establishing state disaster emergency requirements for homeless shelters including placement of individuals and families in shelters and reporting of infections related to the emergency.

Relates to reimbursements for domestic violence services for programs effected by certain provisions of the 2019-20 budget.

Establishes rental vouchers for working families; provides definitions; allows for families to make an application for rental vouchers at the appropriate social services district or any facilitated enrollment site authorized by the office of temporary and disability assistance; sets forth eligibility requirements.

Provides that applicants for or recipients of food stamps shall not be subjected to finger imaging as a requirement of the food stamp program.

Requires social services districts to, every heating season, automatically re-enroll persons or households currently receiving assistance through the low-income home energy assistance program, so long as each person or household maintains eligibility.

Establishes the New York healthy incentive program (Part A); automates SNAP and the New York healthy incentive program (Part B); establishes the New York healthy incentive program outreach program (Part C).

Establishes the New York healthy incentive program (Part A); automates SNAP and the New York healthy incentive program (Part B); establishes the New York healthy incentive program outreach program (Part C).

Provides public assistance for home internet service payments.

Requires food distributors that accept SNAP benefits to establish a mechanism to apply available coupons or discounts to purchases made by eligible recipients of SNAP benefits without such recipient being required to provide a physical coupon.

Prohibits the imposition of limits on the length of stay at homeless shelters and emergency congregate housing operated by state agencies.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to establish a universal benefits form for individuals seeking public assistance.

Relates to the unearned income of a child when the parent or non-parent caregiver chooses to exclude such child from the public assistance household.

Removes the requirement that rent arrears be repaid; forgives any outstanding repayment agreements for rent arrears.

Relates to defining members of the same family or household for purposes of family offenses; includes persons who: are related to a child in common or to a person in an intimate relationship; and are currently living together in a family-type relationship or formerly lived together in a family-type relationship.

Expands the membership of the interagency task force on trafficking in persons to include the commissioner of the department of transportation, the commissioner of the department of motor vehicles and the executive director of the New York state thruway authority.

Increases personal needs allowance amounts for individuals who are deemed eligible.

Defines humanitarian emergency response and relief centers as shelters that provide assistance to arriving asylees or that provide shared sleeping and bathroom facilities for more than 96 hours and includes such centers within the definition of homeless project.

Ensures adequate access to information by individuals who have limited English proficiency.

Enacts the HOPE pilot program; allows households to apply for multiple food and anti-poverty benefits simultaneously online; enables families to work with nonprofit and government agencies to enact action plans to boost their long-term self-sufficiency.

Requires all state and private agencies with mandatory reporters of incidents involving vulnerable people to retrain all staff on reporting to a 9-1-1 operator and the county district attorney's office and state and private websites; requires written materials to be updated.

Exempts aid derived from funding from childcare stabilization grants, childcare desert funding, or other non-recurring funding, issued by the office of children and family services to childcare providers from income for the purpose of determining aid provided pursuant to public assistance programs.

Establishes a state SNAP minimum benefit program to provide a minimum amount of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits that is higher than the amount of federal SNAP benefits.

Establishes a task force to examine, evaluate and determine the feasibility of establishing a state-funded version of SNAP; requires the task force to report its findings and a policy brief to the governor and the legislature.

Exempts income earned by a head of household or any person in the household from certain job training or adult education programs from the determination of need for public assistance programs.

Provides "WiFi service" internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; relates to funding for internet service under the ConnectAll digital equity grant program.

Requires shelter allowances be set at up to one hundred percent of the fair market rent for the local social services district.

Relates to services for victims of domestic violence; provides that the department of social services shall ensure there is sufficient access to domestic violence services in every county; eliminates per diem reimbursement rates for domestic violence programs.

Relates to the standards of monthly need for persons in receipt of public assistance; provides for an increased monthly allowance for persons and families residing in shelters.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to simplify the application process for public assistance benefits.

Establishes transition shelters for individuals released from prison for up to six months to provide housing counseling and prevent the risk of overdose.

Relates to making certain housing programs available regardless of immigration status; provides that local social services districts in a city with a population of five million or more shall be permitted to offer certain housing programs to individuals or families who would be eligible but for a federal law restricting eligibility based on immigration.

Requires the notification of individuals that certain work-study, internship, externship or other work placements offered by institutions of higher education meet the work requirements of title nine-B of article five of the social services law.

Makes migrant youth under the age of 25 who are receiving runaway and homeless youth services eligible to receive housing vouchers under the family homelessness and eviction prevention supplement ("FHEPS") program.

Establishes a deadbeats most wanted list and worldwide web page.

Increases the personal needs allowance for residents of certain residential health care facilities from fifty-five dollars to one hundred dollars per month.

Establishes a SNAP and cash assistance fraud victims compensation fund.

Relates to eliminating asset limits in calculating the amount of benefits for any household under any public assistance program.

Provides for supports and services for unaccompanied minors with no lawful immigration status including legal representation.

Directs social services districts to contract with non-residential programs for victims of domestic violence to provide outreach and education to students in public and private high schools; provides for state reimbursement therefor.

Relates to assisting persons with medically diagnosed HIV infection.

Directs the social services district to take no action to establish paternity or a child support order when the applicant or recipient for aid to dependent children has established good cause to refuse to cooperate.

Requires the department of social services to apply for a waiver or request authorization to create a list of healthy and nutritious foods and beverages that may be purchased with supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits.

Relates to additional options for local social services districts to implement effective welfare-to-work programs.

Relates to requiring participation in education programs leading to a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma for those seeking public assistance.

Directs public welfare officials to withhold rent from a landlord for violation of the warranty of habitability; directs public welfare officials to seek a diminution of rent owed based on the duration of such violation.

Allows for the automatic reinstatement of public assistance following the completion of mandated residential drug treatment.

Establishes a fiscal cliff task force to conduct a study on fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs and to make recommendations related thereto.

Directs the New York state interagency task force on human trafficking to investigate connections between social media and human trafficking.

Extends provisions relating to enforcement of support obligations through the suspension of driving privileges.

Requires working kitchens in homeless family shelter units.

Directs the New York state interagency task force on human trafficking to investigate connections between social media and human trafficking.

Exempts certain income and resources provided to persons enrolled in certain pilot programs in determining eligibility for public assistance benefits; requires federal waivers be sought where necessary.

Exempts certain income and resources provided to persons enrolled in certain pilot programs with direct cash transfers in determining eligibility for public assistance benefits.

Authorizes and directs county public welfare districts to accept paperwork electronically.

Relates to establishing state disaster emergency requirements for homeless shelters including placement of individuals and families in shelters and reporting of infections related to the emergency.

Suspends sanctions for noncompliance with public assistance employment program requirements during a state of emergency declared pursuant to an executive order.

Establishes a two generation pilot program to promote family stability and children's school readiness, and provides for the repeal of this section in five years.

Relates to eligibility for public assistance; amends provisions relating to exemption of income and resources in calculating benefits; amends work requirements; requires training in fields which provide a living wage.

Relates to monthly grants and allowances of public assistance repeals certain provisions of such law relating thereto.

Creates the incentivizing habitability opportunity program; provides that each local social services district shall provide an incentive to owners who enter into a residential lease or rental agreement with an eligible household for a qualified dwelling unit in order to address homelessness and ensure appropriate habitability standards.

Relates to clarifying the definitions of vocational educational training and educational activities.

Replaces certain instances of the term "mentally retarded" with the term "individuals with developmental disabilities".

Requires a posting of the rights of individuals who are applying to receive assistance including the right to: a fair hearing; ask about emergency assistance; apply for all benefits and services; ask about child care; free language services; screening and special services if experiencing domestic violence; and a written adequate notice.

Requires all social service's applications to be made publicly available online on the department's website.

Provides for flexibility by the division of housing and community renewal in the funding of certain weatherization programs.

Implements additional restrictions on actions to recover overpayment of certain assistance.

Provides for the automated identification of affordability program participants to enable such participants to be automatically entered into utility corporation energy affordability programs.

Ensures adequate access to information by individuals who have limited English proficiency.

Requires a gender-neutral marker on all forms and materials for applications for benefits.

Relates to conciliation and non-compliance with public assistance employment.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance, in conjunction with the office of mental health and the office of children and family services, to develop a mental illness training course to be utilized by providers of temporary housing assistance to focus on recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness.

Replaces certain instances of the term "mentally retarded" with the term "individuals with developmental disabilities".

Requires a posting of the rights of individuals who are applying to receive assistance including the right to: a fair hearing; ask about emergency assistance; apply for all benefits and services; ask about child care; free language services; screening and special services if experiencing domestic violence; and a written adequate notice.

Removes references to the number of hours of care provided by a caregiver each week from the definition of caregiver for purposes of authorizing criminal history checks.

Allows college coursework to be credited as a work activity which may be used toward fulfilling the employment requirements for public assistance benefits under certain conditions.

Relates to authorizing the payment of costs, up to eighty dollars, of diapers for an eligible child two years of age or younger for children receiving safety net assistance.

Extends the period given to certain applicants for public assistance benefits to request a fair hearing on a determination of their ability to participate in work activities from ten days to sixty days or within sixty days of receipt of a work activity assignment.

Relates to authorizing the payment of costs, up to eighty dollars, of diapers for an eligible child two years of age or younger for children receiving safety net assistance.

Authorizes certain shelters for victims of domestic violence to be reimbursed for any payment differential for housing a single individual in a room intended for double occupancy.

Prohibits requiring that an individual have a court proceeding initiated against him or her in order to qualify for a rent arrears grant or ongoing rental assistance.

Requires the department of social services to apply for a waiver or request authorization to create a list of healthy and nutritious foods and beverages that may be purchased with supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits.

Permits appeals to the department to be conducted by means of a conference telephone, video conference or similar communications systems with and by independent hearing officers.

Requires local departments of social services to conduct a full review of a homeless person's housing history as part of determining eligibility for shelter at a homeless project.

Directs public welfare officials to withhold rent from a landlord for violation of the warranty of habitability; directs public welfare officials to seek a diminution of rent owed based on the duration of such violation.

Requires the homestead exemption used in the calculation for public assistance to be the same as the homestead exemption under the civil practice law and rules.

Relates to the creation of a self-sufficiency standard study regarding how much income is needed for a family of a given composition in a given geographic location to adequately meet its basic needs without public or private assistance.

Provides menstrual products at no cost to menstruating individuals in temporary shelters, including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons and panty liners.

Directs the department of social services to establish a centralized homelessness crisis response data system through which state agencies, local governmental entities, including law enforcement agencies, court systems, school districts, and emergency service providers, and other relevant persons are able to share and access information related to individuals who experience chronic homelessness in order to connect or refer such individuals to services including affordable housing opportunities.

Allows college coursework to be credited as a work activity which may be used toward fulfilling the employment requirements for public assistance benefits under certain conditions.

Requires a list and map of certain supportive housing units within the state every two years.

Establishes the New York healthy incentive program (Part A); automates SNAP and the New York healthy incentive program (Part B); establishes the New York healthy incentive program outreach program (Part C).

Provides menstrual products at no cost to menstruating individuals in temporary shelters, including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons and panty liners.

Relates to the standards of monthly need for persons in receipt of public assistance; provides for an increased monthly allowance for persons and families residing in shelters.

Relates to services for victims of domestic violence; provides that the department of social services shall ensure there is sufficient access to domestic violence services in every county; eliminates per diem reimbursement rates for domestic violence programs.

Requires social services districts to distribute educational materials pertaining to sexual health, including information on HIV prevention and pre-exposure prophylaxis to individuals enrolled in Medicaid.

Relates to rental assistance; provides that under no circumstances shall a local social services district require proof that a court proceeding has been initiated as a condition of eligibility for a rent arrears grant or rental assistance; provides that no repayment agreement shall be required and no collection of overpayments shall be conducted for certain assistance provided from March 7, 2020 until the later of the end of the state of emergency declared pursuant to executive order number 202 of 2020 or February 28, 2022.

Authorizes the payment of camp fees for children receiving safety net assistance or family assistance provided such funds cannot be obtained from other sources.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to establish a universal benefits form for individuals seeking public assistance.

Provides for internet access and access to internet-enabled devices to recipients of public assistance and to adults and children in shelters, domestic violence residence programs, and other adult and children residence facilities.

Relates to the creation of home stability support supplement programs.

Increases the personal needs allowance of individuals in nursing homes and individuals in residential programs for victims of domestic violence.

Directs social services districts to contract with non-residential programs for victims of domestic violence to provide outreach and education to students in public and private high schools; provides for state reimbursement therefor.

Standardizes child care copayments by instructing local social services districts to not require a family receiving child care assistance to contribute more than 20% of the amount of their income exceeding the poverty level.

Relates to requiring participation in education programs leading to a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma for those seeking public assistance.

Relates to allowing public welfare officials to withhold payment of rent to landlords who owe delinquent tax liabilities to local municipalities, school districts or counties.

Establishes transition shelters for individuals released from prison for up to six months to provide housing counseling and prevent the risk of overdose.

Sets public assistance amounts for individuals receiving enhanced residential care.

Relates to additional state payment assistance; provides that where there is no agreement in effect for federal administration of additional state payments the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability assistance is responsible for providing assistance to applicants for or recipients of such payments as it relates to applying for, modifying or maintaining such benefits.

Relates to eliminating rent for homeless shelters; provides that a homeless individual or family applying for or receiving temporary housing assistance shall not be required to pay room and board or contribute any earned or unearned income, available benefits or resources to eliminate their need for temporary housing assistance or as a condition to receive temporary housing assistance from such provider.

Expands the maximum benefit and eligibility requirements for financial assistance for burial arrangements; provides for expedited assistance during a state disaster emergency.

Allows for state agencies, municipalities, and authorities to provide state or local public benefits regardless of immigration status.

Exempts IRAs and Roth IRAs in the calculation of household benefits under public assistance programs.

Requires office of temporary and disability assistance to simplify the application process for public assistance benefits.

Relates to state assistance for food and vet expenses for guide dogs, hearing dogs and service dogs of individuals qualifying for social services; requires regulations set an amount of no less than $50 a month; clarifies that service dogs do not have to be certified to qualify for such benefits.

Requires certain entities to provide a website listing hotels and motels being used as homeless housing and lists the not-for-profit organizations who provide services at such homeless housing.

Relates to requiring care providers to provide information in cases of suspected domestic violence.

Requires social distancing room configurations in new homeless housing constructions; provides any individual placed in a hotel, motel or apartment by local social services in response to COVID-19 shall not be permitted to return until such housing has ensured appropriate distancing between beds of at least six-feet.

Directs the department of social services to establish a centralized homelessness crisis response data system through which state agencies, local governmental entities, including law enforcement agencies, court systems, school districts, and emergency service providers, and other relevant persons are able to share and access information related to individuals who experience chronic homelessness in order to connect or refer such individuals to services including affordable housing opportunities.

Provides internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; provides that one hundred percent of the cost for the expense incurred for local social service districts to provide such internet access shall be reimbursed by the state.

Requires applicants for public assistance to be given notice in writing, that they may be liable to reimburse the state for benefits received; provides such notice shall be given as part of an informational booklet and as a standalone document.

Relates to a civil cause of action for human trafficking; allows for actions relating to human trafficking to be commenced within fifteen years after the victimization has occurred.

Extends provisions relating to enforcement of support obligations through the suspension of driving privileges.

Allows persons applying for or receiving public assistance to be interviewed by phone or other digital means at the request of the applicant or recipient.

Allows persons applying for or receiving public assistance to be interviewed by phone at social services official's option.

Relates to a civil cause of action for human trafficking; allows for actions relating to human trafficking to be commenced within fifteen years after the victimization has occurred.

Allows persons applying for or receiving public assistance to be interviewed by phone or other digital means at the request of the applicant or recipient.

Provides feminine hygiene products at no cost to menstruating individuals in homeless shelters, including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons and panty liners.

Relates to resource exemptions for applicants for public assistance programs; amends the Welfare Reform Act in relation to the effectiveness thereof.

Establishes a statewide restaurant meals program as part of the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Allows persons applying for or receiving public assistance to be interviewed by phone at social services official's option.

Requires the commissioner of the department of social services to develop and provide training to intake workers at homeless shelters focused on how to identify and provide appropriate referrals to those suffering from mental health issues.

Relates to working with the USDA to receive approvals and develop online fresh food purchasing options throughout the state; adds a repeal date.

Relates to working with the USDA to receive approvals and develop online fresh food purchasing options throughout the state; adds a repeal date.

Authorizes the use of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits to purchase online groceries in accordance with federal laws and regulations and relates to the state supplemental nutrition assistance program outreach program.

Requires the commissioner to collect information regarding the sheltered and unsheltered homeless population during a state disaster emergency and publish a report containing such information on the department's website.

Requires the commissioner of social services to submit a report on the services provided to human trafficking survivors for the purpose of assessing the availability, utilization and necessity for such services.

Relates to defining members of the same family or household for purposes of family offenses; includes persons who: are related to a child in common or to a person in an intimate relationship; and are currently living together in a family-type relationship or formerly lived together in a family-type relationship.

Requires social services districts to maintain a waiting list of certain families applying for child care assistance.

Directs the social services district to take no action to establish paternity or a child support order when the applicant or recipient for aid to dependent children has established good cause to refuse to cooperate.

Relates to additional options for local social services districts to implement effective welfare-to-work programs; repeals certain provisions of such law relating thereto.

Further restricts eligibility of persons for public assistance to prohibit it in cases where a person is fleeing to avoid prosecution, custody or confinement for a misdemeanor charge and allows disclosure to assist in the apprehension of the same.

Requires social distancing room configurations in new homeless housing constructions; any individual placed in a hotel, motel or apartment by local social services in response to COVID-19 shall not be permitted to return until such housing has ensured appropriate distancing between beds of at least six-feet.

Requires certain safety standards for emergency shelter for victims and alleged victims of domestic violence during a declaration of a state disaster emergency for a disease outbreak; requires accommodations in a hotel or motel where a residential facility does not meet safety standards; requires full cost to be assumed by the state.

Relates to eliminating rent for homeless shelters in cities having a population of one million or more; provides that a homeless individual or family applying for or receiving temporary housing assistance shall not be required to pay room and board or contribute any earned or unearned income, available benefits or resources to eliminate their need for temporary housing assistance or as a condition to receive temporary housing assistance from such provider.

Allows for the automatic reinstatement of public assistance following the completion of mandated residential drug treatment.

Expands the maximum benefit and eligibility requirements for financial assistance for burial arrangements and provides for expedited assistance during a state disaster emergency.

Requires law enforcement agencies and district attorney's offices to advise human trafficking victims of the availability of social and legal services; unless law enforcement agencies and district attorney's offices are notified by the victim that they do not want such services, such law enforcement agency shall contact the appropriate provider and request that a representative be provided.

Prohibits unfunded mandates in medicaid; provides that a provision of law which is determined to be an unfunded mandate according to this new section of law shall cease to be mandatory and become voluntary in operation; defines "law" as a statute, executive order of the governor, or rule or regulation; provides such prohibition does not apply to laws in full force and effect prior to the effective date of the section.

Reimburses counties who have purchased or will purchase Medicaid fraud detection software.

Standardizes child care copayments by instructing local social services districts to not require a family receiving child care assistance to contribute more than 20% of the amount of their income exceeding the poverty level.

Authorizes the legislature to require a state or municipal entity to enact a period of residency requirement for persons applying for certain social services.

Relates to eliminating rent for homeless shelters; provides that a homeless individual or family applying for or receiving temporary housing assistance shall not be required to pay room and board or contribute any earned or unearned income, available benefits or resources to eliminate their need for temporary housing assistance or as a condition to receive temporary housing assistance from such provider.

Relates to establishing a deadbeats most wanted list and worldwide web page.

Requires that recipients of public assistance benefits must be residents of the state for at least ninety days prior to applying for such benefits.

Relates to public notice of basic rights by the office of temporary and disability assistance for applicants and recipients of public assistance.

Relates to public notice of basic rights by the office of temporary and disability assistance for applicants and recipients of public assistance.

Relates to the creation of home stability support supplement programs.

Relates to allowances for the costs, up to eighty dollars, of diapers for an eligible child, two years of age or younger.

Establishes factors and requirements to be considered when a health care practitioner's opinion differs from that of an applicant's treating health care practitioner's opinion as to an applicant's disability.

Relates to conciliation and non-compliance with public assistance employment.

Relates to exempting income earned by persons under the age of 24 from certain workforce development programs from the determination of need for public assistance programs.

Requires certain entities to provide a website listing hotels and motels being used as homeless housing and lists the not-for-profit organizations who provide services at such homeless housing.

Establishes a program as part of the supplemental nutrition assistance program to allow recipients to purchase prepared meals at certain establishments.

Ensures adequate access to information by individuals who have limited English proficiency.

Directs the department of social services to establish a centralized homelessness crisis response data system through which state agencies, local governmental entities, including law enforcement agencies, court systems, school districts, and emergency service providers, and other relevant persons are able to share and access information related to individuals who experience chronic homelessness in order to connect or refer such individuals to services including affordable housing opportunities.

Relates to reimbursements for domestic violence services for programs effected by certain provisions of the 2019-20 budget.

Provides for supports and services for unaccompanied minors with no lawful immigration status including legal representation.

Establishes the standardized human-trafficking recognition training program for private transportation services employees; requires private transportation services to require all employees to undergo a human-trafficking recognition training program established by the division of criminal justice services and the office of temporary and disability assistance in consultation with the department of transportation and the New York state interagency task force on human trafficking.

Provides that any funds paid to a support collection unit which have not been disbursed after two years after diligent efforts to locate the person entitled to such funds, and funds which the remitter of such funds has not provided sufficient identifying information to associate the funds with an existing account shall be paid to the state comptroller.

Creates the incentivizing habitability opportunity program; provides that each local social services district shall provide an incentive to owners who enter into a residential lease or rental agreement with an eligible household for a qualified dwelling unit in order to address homelessness and ensure appropriate habitability standards.

Relates to home visiting services for applicants for, or recipients of, public assistance benefits who are exempt from certain work activities; provides criteria for those eligible for such home visiting services.

Requires the commissioner of the department of social services to develop and provide training to intake workers at homeless shelters focused on how to identify and provide appropriate referrals to those suffering from mental health issues.

Relates to medical expenditure amounts and to county property tax levy reductions resulting from medical assistance program expenditure reductions; and limits, in cities having a population of one million or more, the annual increase in real property taxes.

Relates to allowing public welfare officials to withhold payment of rent to landlords who owe delinquent tax liabilities to local municipalities, school districts or counties.

Relates to monthly grants and allowances of public assistance and repeals certain provisions of such law relating thereto.

Relates to assisting persons with medically diagnosed HIV infection.

Relates to public assistance employment programs for disabled persons.

Provides supplemental security income for eligible individuals receiving enhanced residential care.

Requires a local social services district to accept or deny an application for public assistance as soon as possible but no later than thirty days after the date of the application.

Provides for a ninety day eligibility limitation on medical services not mandated by federal law.

Relates to the authorized representative of an eligible recipient of SNAP benefits, permitting such eligible recipient to authorize third-party software applications, including those not developed in contract with any state or federal agency, to have the ability to access the benefit information of such recipient, including but not limited to, his or her account balance and transaction history.

Extends the period given to certain applicants for public assistance benefits to request a fair hearing on a determination of their ability to participate in work activities from ten days to sixty days or within sixty days of receipt of a work activity assignment.

Authorizes certain shelters for victims of domestic violence to be reimbursed for any payment differential for housing a single individual in a room intended for double occupancy.

Relates to the powers of a social services official to receive and dispose of a deed, mortgage or lien.

Relates to creating a stipend program for students, unpaid caregivers, and eligible persons earning less than $100,000 per year.

Authorizes public welfare officials to withhold rent from a landlord when real estate taxes for the rental property are unpaid.

Increases the personal needs allowance of individuals in nursing homes and individuals in residential programs for victims of domestic violence.

Requires working kitchens in homeless family shelter units.

Exempts IRAs and Roth IRAs in the calculation of household benefits under public assistance programs.

Provides that before a person may receive public assistance benefits, he or she must submit to and pass a drug test; requires health care professionals, law enforcement agencies, and courts report certain instances of substance abuse to the commissioner of social services.

Relates to state assistance for food and vet expenses for guide dogs, hearing dogs and service dogs of individuals qualifying for social services; requires regulations set an amount of no less than $50 a month; clarifies that service dogs do not have to be certified to qualify for such benefits.

Requires homeless shelters to keep an opioid antagonist on hand, have at least one trained employee on duty at all times, sets out the requirements for the training of those employees, and develops a training plan for opioid overdoses in conjunction with a registered opioid overdose prevention program.

Requires the notification of individuals that certain work-study, internship, externship or other work placements offered by institutions of higher education meet the work requirements of title nine-B of article five of the social services law.

Provides that the state shall take over all of the cost of the safety net program from every county throughout the state.

Relates to educational or training work activity requirements; allows a local social services district to count an hour of homework time per course credit hour towards work participation requirements for public assistance recipients participating in educational or training activities.

Requires social services districts to establish a homeless housing task force for purposes of developing a ten-year plan and guidelines to address long-term and short-term housing.

Provides an exemption from participation in work activities for an applicant or recipient of public assistance who is a parent or relative of a child who is personally providing care for such child under one year of age.

Authorizes the offering of the twelve month work exemption to certain parents or relatives in receipt of public assistance who personally provide child care.

Relates to employee human trafficking recognition training and to authorizing the establishment of a standardized human trafficking recognition training program; requires public transportation services to require all employees to undergo a human-trafficking recognition training program established by the division of criminal justice services and the office of temporary and disability assistance in consultation with the department of transportation and the New York state interagency task force on human trafficking.

Relates to conciliation and non-compliance with public assistance employment.

Establishes factors and requirements to be considered when a health care practitioner's opinion differs from that of an applicant's treating health care practitioner's opinion as to an applicant's disability.

Relates to exempting income earned by persons under the age of 24 from certain workforce development programs from the determination of need for public assistance programs.

Relates to the unearned income of a child when the parent or non-parent caregiver chooses to exclude such child from the public assistance household.

Exempts certain funds in a qualified tuition program in the calculation of household benefits under public assistance programs.

Extends current exemptions of income and resources for public assistance programs under the welfare reform act of 1997.

Extends current exemptions of income and resources for public assistance programs under the welfare reform act of 1997.

Extends provisions relating to enforcement of support obligations through the suspension of driving privileges.

Expands the crimes included in domestic violence to include identity theft, grand larceny and coercion, for purposes of assistance to victims thereof.

Allows for state agencies, municipalities, and authorities to provide state or local public benefits regardless of immigration status.

Instructs the office of temporary and disability assistance to apply for a waiver from the federal government to allow for the purchase of multivitamin-mineral dietary supplements with benefits through SNAP.

Relates to permitting appeals to the department to be conducted by means of a conference telephone, video conference or similar communications systems with and by independent hearing officers.

Relates to creating the Hurricane Maria temporary housing assistance program to provide individuals affected by Hurricane Maria with funding to cover a security deposit and first month's rent for new housing.

Relates to employee human trafficking recognition training and to authorizing the establishment of a standardized human trafficking recognition training program; requires public transportation services to require all employees to undergo a human-trafficking recognition training program established by the division of criminal justice services and the office of temporary and disability assistance in consultation with the department of transportation and the New York state interagency task force on human trafficking.

Prohibits placing of level 2 and 3 sex offenders in any temporary emergency housing or homeless shelters used to house families with children.

Allows for three forty-five day extensions of necessary and available emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence instead of the current two forty-five day extensions.

Relates to prohibiting illegal drug use; authorizes random drug testing of individuals receiving public assistance.

Authorizes local social services districts to choose which state-required but not federally-required medicaid services to provide to eligible persons and which categories of eligibility to cover; directs the commissioner of health to apply for necessary waivers, promulgate rules and regulations, and establish necessary procedures.

Sets the standards of monthly need for persons and families who receive temporary housing assistance and three meals per day or reside in a shelter for adults that provides three meals per day, shelter for families that provides three meals per day or a public home that provides three meals per day.

Authorizes the offering of the twelve month work exemption to certain parents or relatives in receipt of public assistance who personally provide child care.

Provides factors to be considered when a health care practitioner's opinion differs from that of referral's treating health care practitioner as to a disability; requires such health care practitioner to provide an explicit written determination and to present evidence when such practitioner's diagnosis differs from that of the treating health care practitioner who referred the patient.

Establishes the domestic violence rehabilitation program; requires mandatory domestic violence counseling.

Relates to notifying counties of any relocation program established by another social services district; requires social services districts that have established such a program to annually report to the office of temporary and disability assistance.

Requires certain persons and officials to report cases of suspected domestic violence.

Requires local social services districts to obtain approval by the governing body of such district prior to applying to amend the consolidated services plan.

Requires applicants for public assistance to be given notice in writing, that they may be liable to reimburse the state for benefits received; provides such notice shall be given as part of an informational booklet and as a standalone document.

Relates to educational or training work activity requirements; allows a local social services district to count an hour of homework time per course credit hour towards work participation requirements for public assistance recipients participating in educational or training activities.

Relates to requiring participation in education programs leading to a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma for those seeking public assistance.

Relates to eliminating asset limits in calculating the amount of benefits for any household under any public assistance program.

Relates to public assistance employment programs for disabled persons.

Relates to permitting appeals to the department to be conducted by means of a conference telephone, video conference or similar communications systems with and by independent hearing officers.

Provides supplemental security income for eligible individuals receiving enhanced residential care.

Requires working kitchens in homeless family shelter units.

Relates to the submission of evidence at fair hearings.

Authorizes the legislature to require a state or municipal entity to enact a period of residency requirement for persons applying for certain social services.

Requires child protective services to document every home visit or contact with the child as part of a treatment plan, supervision and monitoring, with photographs of the child.

Expands the crimes included in domestic violence to include identity theft, grand larceny and coercion, for purposes of assistance to victims thereof.

Requires the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability assistance to develop a program and training for the identification and screening for deficiencies in executive functioning.

Increases the enhanced residential care benefits for aged, blind and disabled persons.

Relates to the unearned income of a child when the parent or non-parent caregiver chooses to exclude such child from the public assistance household.

Relates to housing of homeless persons in the city of New York; requires that no hotel, motel, inn, lodging, resort, tavern, boarding house, rooming house, or hostel shall be used to house the homeless unless a contract between the city or state agency that is responsible for providing housing to such homeless persons and the owner of such place where the housing will be provided is approved and signed by such parties and by the comptroller.

Enacts the New York state national guard and reserves child support modification act of 2017; provides for modification of child support payments in certain instances where the person called to active duty will experience a reduction in income due to loss of wages from a civilian job.

Includes workers' compensation benefits among the lump sum payments subject to the lien of the department of social services for repayment of public assistance.

Requires social services districts to establish a homeless housing task force for purposes of developing a ten-year plan and guidelines to address long-term and short-term housing.

Relates to residential services for pregnant victims of domestic violence; provides that certain pregnant victims of domestic violence may stay at an emergency shelter for up to nine months.

Relates to recipients of public assistance who lack appropriate child care.

Relates to state assistance for food and vet expenses for guide dogs, hearing dogs and service dogs of individuals qualifying for social services; requires regulations set an amount of no less than $50 a month; clarifies that service dogs do not have to be certified to qualify for such benefits.

Reimburses counties who have purchased or will purchase Medicaid fraud detection software.

Establishes a moratorium on the site selection of state facilities (defined) in cities of one million or more until the governor completes a comprehensive review of all existing and proposed state facilities; provides such report shall include an assessment of the oversaturation of state facilities.

Relates to the submission of evidence at fair hearings.

Requires the homestead exemption used in the calculation for public assistance to be the same as the homestead exemption under the civil practice law and rules.

Authorizes the payment of housing subsidies in the amount of seventy percent of the rental cost of the dwelling unit or the median housing rental cost for the county, whichever is lower, to certain victims of domestic violence.

Requires the notification of individuals that certain work-study, internship, externship or other work placements offered by institutions of higher education meet the work requirements of title nine-B of the social services law.

Relates to establishing a deadbeats most wanted list and worldwide web page.

Establishes rental vouchers for working families; provides definitions; allows for families to make an application for rental vouchers at the appropriate social services district or any facilitated enrollment site authorized by the office of temporary and disability assistance; sets forth eligibility requirements.

Provides that applicants for or recipients of food stamps shall not be subjected to finger imaging as a requirement of the food stamp program.

Directs social services districts to contract with non-residential programs for victims of domestic violence to provide outreach and education to students in public and private high schools; provides for state reimbursement therefor.

Provides for a ninety day eligibility limitation on medical services not mandated by federal law.

Relates to the creation of a self-sufficiency standard study regarding how much income is needed for a family of a given composition in a given geographic location to adequately meet its basic needs without public or private assistance.

Relates to training and education for sustainable wage jobs and traditional and non-traditional employment in public assistance employment programs.

Allows college coursework to be credited as a work activity which may be used toward fulfilling the employment requirements for public assistance benefits under certain conditions.

Relates to providing feminine hygiene products at no cost to menstruating individuals in homeless shelters, including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons and panty liners.

Establishes access to benefits and services for people with HIV in each local department of social services.

Provides that the state shall take over all of the cost of the safety net program from every county throughout the state.

Further restricts eligibility of persons for public assistance to prohibit it in cases where a person is fleeing to avoid prosecution, custody or confinement for a misdemeanor charge and allows disclosure to assist in the apprehension of the same.

Relates to shelter allowance calculation for participants in the federal housing choice voucher program.

Extends provisions relating to the enforcement of support through the suspension of driving privileges; extends provisions until August 31, 2019.

Increases the enhanced residential care benefits for aged, blind and disabled persons.

Relates to extending current exemptions of income and resources for public assistance programs under the welfare reform act of 1997.

Increases the enhanced residential care benefits for aged, blind and disabled persons.

Requires residency for the receipt of social services; residency being defined as domicile for at least a year in the state of New York.

Requires certain establishments to display a poster with information regarding the national human trafficking resource center hotline.

Relates to additional options for local social services districts to implement effective welfare-to-work programs; repeals certain provisions of such law relating thereto.

Authorizes public welfare officials to withhold rent from a landlord when real estate taxes for the rental property are unpaid.

Relates to additional options for local social services districts to implement effective welfare-to-work programs; repeals certain provisions of such law relating thereto.

Relates to the duty to report incidents to 911 and the county district attorney's office.

Relates to a shelter allowance supplement program to prevent eviction of families with children.

Authorizes social services districts to offer participants in public assistance employment programs an option to complete a course of instruction in financial literacy and personal finance; authorizes local social services districts to cooperate with the department of labor in providing workforce guidance and information.

Establishes access to benefits and services for people with HIV in each local department of social services.

Relates to permitting appeals to the department to be conducted by means of a conference telephone, video conference or similar communications systems with and by independent hearing officers.

Relates to the creation of a self-sufficiency standard study regarding how much income is needed for a family of a given composition in a given geographic location to adequately meet its basic needs without public or private assistance.

Increases the enhanced residential care benefits for aged, blind and disabled persons.

Relates to the powers of a social services official to receive and dispose of a deed, mortgage or lien.

Relates to state assistance for food and vet expenses for guide dogs, hearing dogs and service dogs of individuals qualifying for social services; requires regulations set an amount of no less than $50 a month; clarifies that service dogs do not have to be certified to qualify for such benefits.

Prohibits work experience programs in New York.

Reimburses counties who have purchased or will purchase Medicaid fraud detection software.

Relates to permitting appeals to the department to be conducted by means of a conference telephone, video conference or similar communications systems with and by independent hearing officers.

Relates to monthly grants and allowances of public assistance and repeals certain provisions of such law relating thereto.

Authorizes public welfare officials to withhold rent from a landlord when real estate taxes for the rental property are unpaid.

Authorizes the offering of the twelve month work exemption to certain parents or relatives in receipt of public assistance who personally provide child care.

Relates to the recovery of property from persons who have fraudulently failed to disclose property and to liens for medical assistance on claims and suits for personal injury; repeals certain provisions relating thereto.

Allows for baccalaureate and advanced degree programs to count towards the work participation rate and further provides for certain educational and training activity to count towards the satisfaction of the participant's work activity requirement.

Requires local social services districts to obtain approval by the governing body of such district prior to applying to amend the consolidated services plan.

Standardizes child care copayments by instructing local social services districts to not require a family receiving child care assistance to contribute more than 20% of the amount of their income exceeding the poverty level.

Relates to establishing a deadbeats most wanted list and worldwide web page.

Requires that recipients of public assistance benefits must be residents of the state for at least ninety days prior to applying for such benefits.

Requires residency for the receipt of social services; residency being defined as domicile for at least a year in the state of New York.

Requires local social services districts to obtain approval by the governing body of such district prior to applying to amend the consolidated services plan.

Provides factors to be considered when a health care practitioner's opinion differs from that of referral's treating health care practitioner as to a disability; requires such health care practitioner to provide an explicit written determination and to present evidence when such practitioner's diagnosis differs from that of the treating health care practitioner who referred the patient.

Expands the crimes included in domestic violence to include identity theft, grand larceny and coercion, for purposes of assistance to victims thereof.

Authorizes domestic violence victims to bring companion animals to residential services or for the provision of off-site facilities where residential facilities are not equipped for companion animals; establishes the domestic violence animal sheltering fund; creates distinctive "protect animals too" license plates.

Authorizes service animals or therapy dogs to accompany victims of domestic violence at residential programs whenever such accompaniment is reasonable under the circumstances.

Relates to the submission of evidence at fair hearings.

Authorizes the legislature to require a state or municipal entity to enact a period of residency requirement for persons applying for certain social services.

Prohibits placing of level 2 and 3 sex offenders in any temporary emergency housing or homeless shelters used to house families with children.

Increases the amount recipients of enhanced residential care may maintain in a personal allowance account and payments to the aged, blind and disabled.

Provides that a social services official may not recover assistance properly paid as permitted where a recipient or former recipient of such assistance was required to participate in a work experience program without first crediting against such recovery the number of hours that such person actually participated in a work experience program multiplied by the higher of the applicable state or federal minimum wage.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to ensure that all recipients of public assistance located within Suffolk county reside in housing that is in compliance with the building codes, ordinances and regulations of the municipality in which such housing accommodation is located.

Relates to training and education for sustainable wage jobs and traditional and non-traditional employment in public assistance employment programs.

Relates to requiring participation in education programs leading to a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma for those seeking public assistance.

Provides for a ninety day eligibility limitation on medical services not mandated by federal law.

Relates to shelter allowance calculation for participants in the federal housing choice voucher program.

Authorizes the payment of housing subsidies in the amount of seventy percent of the rental cost of the dwelling unit or the median housing rental cost for the county, whichever is lower, to certain victims of domestic violence.

Prohibits unfunded mandates in medicaid; provides that a provision of law which is determined to be an unfunded mandate according to this new section of law shall cease to be mandatory and become voluntary in operation; defines "law" as a statute, executive order of the governor, or rule or regulation; provides such prohibition does not apply to laws in full force and effect prior to the effective date of the section.

Provides that any person charged with enforcing laws prohibiting cruelty to animals shall cause a report to be made when, in the performance of his or her duties, such person has reasonable cause to believe that abuse or maltreatment of a child has also occurred; also provides that a person charged with the responsibility of filing a report of child abuse or maltreatment shall also file a report of suspected animal abuse or maltreatment.

Requires an applicant as a condition of receiving public assistance to present an actual address which shall be a residence, public shelter or such site as the district commissioner shall deem appropriate as a condition of receiving public assistance.

Requires, in cities having a population of one million or more, supportive housing be disbursed throughout the boroughs of such city in proportion to the borough population.

Relates to recipients of public assistance who lack appropriate child care.

Increases the personal expense allowance for residents of residential health care facilities receiving or eligible to receive supplemental security income payments and/or additional state payments.

Prohibits placing of level 2 and 3 sex offenders in any temporary emergency housing or homeless shelters used to house families with children.

Requires kitchen facilities in locations that temporarily house homeless individuals or accepts government subsidies to house such individuals outside of the city of New York.

Increases the availability of emergency rent arrears assistance to include grants for individuals at 200% or less of the poverty line; provides such assistance to persons who exceed 200% of the poverty line if they sign a repayment agreement; extends the repayment schedule to 18 months and removes the requirement that proof be given that loan can be repaid.

Establishes rental vouchers for working families; provides definitions; allows for families to make an application for rental vouchers at the appropriate social services district or any facilitated enrollment site authorized by the office of temporary and disability assistance; sets forth eligibility requirements.

Relates to training and education for sustainable wage jobs and traditional and non-traditional employment in public assistance employment programs.

Relates to financial contributions by recipients of temporary housing assistance.

Establishes a moratorium on the site selection of state facilities (defined) in cities of one million or more until the governor completes a comprehensive review of all existing and proposed state facilities; provides such report shall include an assessment of the oversaturation of state facilities.

Provides that applicants for or recipients of food stamps shall not be subjected to finger imaging as a requirement of the food stamp program.

Provides an exemption from participation in work activities for an applicant or recipient of public assistance who is a parent or relative of a child who is personally providing care for such child under one year of age.

Requires office of temporary and disability assistance to simplify the application process for public assistance benefits.

Relates to the submission of evidence at fair hearings.

Requires the notification of individuals that certain work-study, internship, externship or other work placements offered by institutions of higher education meet the work requirements of title nine-B of the social services law.

Clarifies conciliation procedures in cases when the recipient of public assistance programs refuses to comply with employment program requirements in a city having a population of one million or more persons.

Relates to the enforcement of support through the suspension of driving privileges.

Relates to minimizing any existence of backlog of fair hearings in certain social services districts.

Clarifies conciliation procedures in cases when the recipient of public assistance programs refuses to comply with employment program requirements in a city having a population of one million or more persons.

Relates to training and education for sustainable wage jobs and traditional and non-traditional employment in public assistance employment programs.

Provides for a uniform allowable resource exemption and disregard for an applicant or recipient with an automobile.

Repeals subdivision 3 of section 117 of the social services law relating to public assistance benefits to or for new residents.

Relates to the submission of evidence at fair hearings.

Clarifies conciliation procedures in cases when the recipient of public assistance programs refuses to comply with employment program requirements in a city having a population of one million or more persons.

Prohibits placing of level 2 and 3 sex offenders in any temporary emergency housing or homeless shelters used to house families with children.

Authorizes social services districts to offer participants in public assistance employment programs an option to complete a course of instruction in financial literacy and personal finance; authorizes local social services districts to cooperate with the department of labor in providing workforce guidance and information.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to work with local social services districts to determine what information shall be given to applicants and recipients of public assistance and to post such information on their website.

Relates to distribution of federal bonus awards relative to SNAP programs to local social services districts.

Prohibits work experience programs in New York.

Requires the homestead exemption used in the calculation for the public assistance to be the same as the homestead exemption under the civil practice law and rules.

Extends the period given to certain applicants for public assistance benefits to request a fair hearing on a determination of their ability to participate in work activities from ten days to sixty days or within sixty days of receipt of a work activity assignment.

Provides that any person charged with enforcing laws prohibiting cruelty to animals shall cause a report to be made when, in the performance of his or her duties, such person has reasonable cause to believe that abuse or maltreatment of a child has also occurred; also provides that a person charged with the responsibility of filing a report of child abuse or maltreatment shall also file a report of suspected animal abuse or maltreatment.

Authorizes social services districts to offer participants in public assistance employment programs an option to complete a course of instruction in financial literacy and personal finance; authorizes local social services districts to cooperate with the department of labor in providing workforce guidance and information.

Relates to prohibiting illegal drug use; authorizes random drug testing of individuals receiving public assistance.

Requires homeless shelters housing adults to restrict the number of clients housed to 100 and to be located no nearer than a three mile radius from another such facility; phases in requirements over one year; requires report by the department of family assistance regarding implementation of such standards; shelters must meet the requirements of these provisions by December 31, 2014.

Authorizes local social services to choose which state-required but not federally-required medicaid services to provide to eligible persons and which categories of eligibility to cover; directs the commissioner of health to apply for necessary waivers, promulgate rules and regulations, and establish necessary procedures.

Provides factors to be considered when a health care practitioner's opinion differs from that of referral's treating health care practitioner as to a disability; requires such health care practitioner to provide an explicit written determination and to present evidence when such practitioner's diagnosis differs from that of the treating health care practitioner who referred the patient.

Directs that a certain annual service fee of twenty-five dollars between the custodial and noncustodial parent be evenly distributed.

Relates to permitting appeals to the department to be conducted by means of a conference telephone, video conference or similar communications systems with and by independent hearing officers.

Relates to residential services for pregnant victims of domestic violence; provides that certain pregnant victims of domestic violence may stay at an emergency shelter for up to nine months.

Authorizes the creation of a financially deliquent parents most wanted list.

Relates to requiring participation in education programs leading to a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma for those seeking public assistance.

Relates to responsibility for public assistance and care in a county social services district.

Provides that cost-of-living adjustments shall be excluded in determining eligibility for certain government assistance programs.

Requires the commissioner of temporary and disability assistance to submit an annual report detailing local social services districts' efforts to prevent, identify, and address homelessness.

Authorizes the offering of twelve month work exemption to certain parents or relatives in receipt of public assistance who personally provide child care.

Enacts the New York state national guard and reserves child support modification act of 2013; provides for modification of child support payments in certain instances where the person called to active duty will experience a reduction in income due to loss of wages from a civilian job.

Includes workers' compensation benefits among the lump sum payments subject to the lien of the department of social services for repayment of public assistance.

Authorizes the legislature to require a state or municipal entity to enact a period of residency requirement for persons applying for certain social services.

Enacts the "public assistance integrity act" to prohibit the sale or purchase of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or lottery tickets with public assistance benefits; prohibits the use of public assistance benefits, by means of an electronic benefit transfer transaction, at a liquor store, casino or adult entertainment facility; establishes the public assistance integrity fund.

Allows for baccalaureate and advanced degree programs to count towards the work participation rate and further provides for certain educational and training activity to count towards the satisfaction of the participant's work activity requirement.

Relates to drug testing of certain public assistance applicants; provides for the repeal of certain provisions relating thereto.

Relates to the powers of social services officials to receive and dispose of a deed, mortgage, or lien; restricts circumstances where an action may be made.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to remove the word handicapped from any signs or means of communication where such word appears; further requires that anywhere where it is required that the current universal symbol of access of figure in a wheelchair appear that such signage instead depict a logo with a dynamic character leaning forward with a sense of movement; applies only to new signs.

Authorizes public welfare officials to withhold rent from a landlord when real estate taxes for the rental property are unpaid.

Provides that persons living with clinical/symptomatic HIV or AIDS, and who are receiving shelter assistance or an emergency shelter allowance, shall not be required to pay more than 30% of the household's monthly unearned and/or earned income towards shelter costs, including rent and utilities.

Authorizes the withholding of certain room and board payments if a building's condition is dangerous, hazardous or detrimental to life or health; provides that in no event may a public welfare official withhold payments for food.

Provides for eligibility for medical assistance for the treatment of an emergency medical condition as defined in the federal social security act; provides that eligibility determinations are to be made consistent with provisions of the social services law.

Relates to level two and level three sex offenders and prohibits their placement in any temporary emergency housing or homeless shelters used to house families with children.

Relates to financial contributions by recipients of temporary housing assistance.

Relates to meetings of the interagency task force on human trafficking and extends such provisions relating thereto; adds additional members to the board; requires meeting no less than three times per year and annual reporting.

Enacts the "public assistance integrity act" to prohibit the sale or purchase of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or lottery tickets with public assistance benefits; prohibits the use of public assistance benefits, by means of an electronic benefit transfer transaction, at a liquor store, casino or adult entertainment facility; establishes the public assistance integrity fund.

Prohibits placing of level 2 and 3 sex offenders in any temporary emergency housing or homeless shelters used to house families with children.

Relates to establishing a deadbeats most wanted list and world wide web page.

Adopts the family violence option (a/k/a the Wellstone/Murray amendment) in the federal Social Security Act permitting waiver of federal program requirements or penalty provisions for domestic violence services in the State of New York to provide full protection from losing public assistance benefits under the new federal welfare reform law; provides for protection for battered immigrants; mandates domestic violence and sexual abuse training programs for employees and contractors who work for the office of children and family services and have contact with applicants and recipients.

Limits the confidentiality required of information given a certified collective bargaining representative by a public employer running a work experience program to participant identifying information.

Establishes rental vouchers for working families; provides definitions; allows for families to make an application for rental vouchers at the appropriate social services district or any facilitated enrollment site authorized by the office of temporary and disability assistance; sets forth eligibility requirements.

Provides that applicants for or recipients of food stamps shall not be subjected to finger imaging as a requirement of the food stamp program.

Requires data collection on homeless persons served by a homeless project including reasons why such person becomes homeless and enters a homeless facility; requires annual report be made to governor and legislature.

Enacts the "public assistance integrity act" to prohibit the sale or purchase of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or lottery tickets with public assistance benefits; prohibits the use of public assistance benefits, by means of an electronic benefit transfer transaction, at a liquor store, casino or adult entertainment facility; establishes the public assistance integrity fund.

Directs that a certain annual service fee of twenty-five dollars between the custodial and noncustodial parent be evenly distributed.

Authorizes the payment of housing subsidies in the amount of seventy percent of the rental cost of the dwelling unit or the median housing rental cost for the county, whichever is lower, to certain victims of domestic violence.

Relates to distribution of federal bonus awards relative to SNAP programs to local social services districts.

Relates to the submission of evidence at fair hearings.

Allows college coursework to be credited as a work activity which may be used toward fulfilling the employment requirements for public assistance benefits under certain conditions.

Directs social services districts to contract with non-residential programs for victims of domestic violence to provide outreach and education to students in public and private high schools; provides for state reimbursement therefor.

Requires the notification of individuals that certain work-study, internship, externship or other work placements offered by institutions of higher education meet the work requirements of title nine-B of the social services law.

Requires office of temporary and disability assistance to simplify the application process for public assistance benefits.

Further restricts eligibility of persons for public assistance to prohibit it in cases where a person is fleeing to avoid prosecution, custody or confinement for a misdemeanor charge and allows disclosure to assist in the apprehension of the same.

Relates to recipients of public assistance who lack appropriate child care.

Eliminates the state's recourse to public assistance recipients' or their relatives' residences, one, two or three family dwelling and the primary residence, including manufactured homes for reimbursement of expenditures made for their benefit.

Extends the provisions of the Welfare Reform Act of 1997 to 2015.

Extends a section of law relating to the enforcement of support through the suspension of driving privileges.

Extends the provisions of the Welfare Reform Act of 1997 to 2015.

Enacts the "public assistance integrity act" to prohibit the sale or purchase of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or lottery tickets with public assistance benefits; prohibits the use of public assistance benefits, by means of an electronic benefit transfer transaction, at a liquor store, casino or adult entertainment facility; establishes the public assistance integrity fund.

Requires the county social services district to be responsible for the expense of providing all assistance and care for persons residing or found in its territory.

Provides that a social services official may not recover assistance properly paid as permitted where a recipient or former recipient of such assistance was required to participate in a work experience program without first crediting against such recovery the number of hours that such person actually participated in a work experience program multiplied by the higher of the applicable state or federal minimum wage.

Authorizes the creation of a child support deadbeats most wanted list.