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.