S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  3884

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 28, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. WRIGHT, PERRY, ROBINSON -- Multi-Sponsored by --
  M. of A. GOTTFRIED -- read once  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on
  Social Services

AN  ACT  to amend the social services law, in relation to clarifying the
  definitions of vocational educational training and educational  activ-
  ities

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. 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:
  1. Social services districts shall make  available  vocational  educa-
tional  training  and  educational  activities  INCLUDING  PROGRAMS THAT
REQUIRE UP TO FOUR YEARS OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.   Such  activities
may  include but need not be limited to, high school education or educa-
tion designed to prepare a participant for  a  high  school  equivalency
certificate,  basic  and remedial education, education in English profi-
ciency 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-

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD04835-01-5
              

A. 3884                             2

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 2. This act shall take effect immediately.