S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1101
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 8, 2015
___________
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. RIVERA
-- read once and referred to the Committee on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to allowing social
services districts to offer participants in public assistance employ-
ment programs an option to complete a course in financial literacy and
personal finance
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Paragraph (f) of subdivision 1 of section 336 of the social
services law, as amended by section 148 of part B of chapter 436 of the
laws of 1997, is amended and a new paragraph (j-l) is added to read as
follows:
(f) job search and job readiness assistance, provided that job search
is an active and continuing effort to secure employment configured by
the local social services official; AND SUCH SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT
MAY WORK IN COOPERATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO PROVIDE WORK-
FORCE GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION TEN-C OF THE
LABOR LAW;
(J-L) EDUCATION OR A COURSE OF INSTRUCTION IN FINANCIAL LITERACY AND
PERSONAL FINANCE THAT INCLUDES INSTRUCTION ON HOUSEHOLD CASH MANAGEMENT
TECHNIQUES, CAREER ADVICE TO OBTAIN A WELL PAYING AND SECURE JOB, USING
CHECKING AND SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, OBTAINING AND UTILIZING SHORT AND LONG
TERM CREDIT, SECURING A LOAN OR OTHER LONG TERM FINANCING ARRANGEMENT
FOR HIGH COST ITEMS SUCH AS A MOTOR VEHICLE, HOME OR PARTICIPATION IN A
HIGHER EDUCATION COURSE OF INSTRUCTION OR TRADE SCHOOL, OBTAINING AND
USING CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS, INVESTING AND SAVING MONEY, AND PLANNING
FOR RETIREMENT;
S 2. Subdivision 1 of section 336-a of the social services law, as
amended by section 4 of part J of chapter 58 of the laws of 2014, is
amended to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03201-01-5
A. 1101 2
1. Social services districts shall make available vocational educa-
tional training and educational activities. Such activities may include
but need not be limited to, high school education or education designed
to prepare a participant for a high school equivalency certificate,
basic and remedial education, education in English proficiency, EDUCA-
TION IN FINANCIAL LITERACY AND PERSONAL FINANCE PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH
(J-1) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED THIRTY-SIX OF THIS
TITLE, and no more than a total of four years of post-secondary educa-
tion (or the part-time equivalent). Educational activities pursuant to
this section may be offered with any of the following providers which
meet the performance or assessment standards established in regulations
by the commissioner for such providers: a community college, licensed
trade school, registered business school, or a two-year or four-year
college; provided, however, that such post-secondary education must be
necessary to the attainment of the participant's individual employment
goal as set forth in the employability plan and such goal must relate
directly to obtaining useful employment in a recognized occupation. When
making any assignment to any educational activity pursuant to this
subdivision, such assignment shall be permitted only to the extent that
such assignment is consistent with the individual's assessment and
employment plan goals in accordance with sections three hundred thirty-
five and three hundred thirty-five-a of this title and shall require
that the individual maintains satisfactory academic progress and hourly
participation is documented consistent with federal and state require-
ments. For purposes of this provision "satisfactory academic progress"
shall mean having a cumulative C average, or its equivalent, as deter-
mined by the academic institution. The requirement to maintain satisfac-
tory academic progress may be waived if done so by the academic institu-
tion and the social services district based on undue hardship caused by
an event such as a personal injury or illness of the student, the death
of a relative of the student or other extenuating circumstances. Any
enrollment in post-secondary education beyond a twelve month period must
be combined with no less than twenty hours of participation averaged
weekly in paid employment or work activities or community service when
paid employment is not available.
S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law; provided, however, that the commissioner of
temporary and disability assistance is immediately authorized and
directed to promulgate, amend and/or repeal any rules and regulations
that may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its
effective date.