The New York State Senate

 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   1160
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              January 7, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  BRONSON,  BARRON, CLARK, COOK, CRUZ, CUSICK,
   ENGLEBRIGHT, EPSTEIN, FAHY, PERRY, SEAWRIGHT, SIMON, WOERNER, MEEKS --
   read once and referred to the Committee on Children and Families
 
 AN ACT to amend the state finance law, in  relation  to  evaluating  the
   effects  adjustments  or  reductions  to the state budget will have on
   reducing child poverty in New  York  state;  to  establish  the  child
   poverty  reduction advisory council to effectuate a reduction in child
   poverty in the state; and providing for the repeal of such  provisions
   upon expiration thereof
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Legislative Findings. The Legislature hereby declares  that
 New York shall reduce the overall child poverty rate by fifty percent in
 the  next ten years. Nearly 3 million New Yorkers are living in poverty,
 895,000 of which are children. In fact, 1 in 5 New York children  strug-
 gle  to  meet basic needs, and although several efforts have been under-
 taken, the overall poverty  rate  in  New  York  has  failed  to  see  a
 reduction  over  the  last  decade.  Meanwhile,  the  federal government
 continues to slash those benefits that have been shown to have  positive
 impacts  on  lifting  children  and  their  families out of poverty. The
 Legislature finds that reducing child poverty will  protect  the  health
 and  general  wellbeing of all New Yorkers and lead to long term savings
 for New York's budget. To effectuate this reduction, the  child  poverty
 reduction  advisory  council  shall  be  established  to research policy
 ideas, develop best practices, and continually monitor  relevant  bench-
 marks  to  ensure  that  New York remains on pace to successfully reduce
 child poverty by fifty percent in ten years.
   § 2. Subdivision 7 of section 23 of the state finance law  is  amended
 by adding a new paragraph g to read as follows:
   G. PRIOR TO MAKING ANY SUCH ADJUSTMENT OR REDUCTION AUTHORIZED BY THIS
 SUBDIVISION  THE  DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET SHALL EVALUATE THE EFFECTS THAT
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD05201-01-1

 A. 1160                             2
 
 SUCH REDUCTIONS WILL HAVE ON CHILD POVERTY IN NEW YORK  AND  SHALL  MAKE
 SUCH EVALUATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
   §  3.  Advisory  council established. (a) To effectuate a reduction in
 child poverty in the state, there  is  hereby  established  an  advisory
 council,  to be known as the "child poverty reduction advisory council",
 hereafter referred to as the "advisory council".  The  advisory  council
 shall  carry out the required acts set forth in sections two and five of
 this act, as well as any and all other additional  factors,  issues,  or
 concerns, established and/or considered by the advisory council.
   (b)  The  advisory council shall be chaired by a representative of the
 executive chamber and the commissioner of the  office  of  children  and
 family services, or their designees. Ensuring adequate geographic repre-
 sentation,  the  advisory  council  shall  be appointed in the following
 manner:
   (i) two members shall be appointed by the temporary president  of  the
 senate;
   (ii) two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
   (iii) two members shall be appointed by the commissioner of the office
 of children and family services;
   (iv) at least one member shall be appointed from each of the following
 entities:
   (1) the office of temporary and disability assistance;
   (2) the council of children and families;
   (3) the department of taxation and finance;
   (4) a regional economic development council;
   (5) a non-profit poverty advocacy organization; and
   (6) a non-profit organization with a focus on poverty issues; and
   (v) two persons who are directly impacted by poverty in the state.
   (c)  The members of the advisory council shall receive no compensation
 for their services but shall  be  allowed  their  actual  and  necessary
 expenses  incurred  in  the  performance of their duties. Members of the
 advisory council shall be considered public  officers  for  purposes  of
 section 17 of the public officers law.
   (d)  The  advisory  council shall convene within sixty days after this
 act shall have become law. A quorum shall consist of a majority  of  the
 members  of  the  advisory  council entitled to vote on the matter under
 consideration. Approval of any matter shall require the affirmative vote
 of a majority of the members voting thereon. The advisory council  shall
 adopt  by-laws for the management and regulation of its affairs, includ-
 ing the creation of committees and subcommittees to effectuate the  work
 required.
   § 4. Appointments to the advisory council. (a) The legislative leaders
 shall  submit their appointments to the governor, and the governor shall
 make his or her appointments, no later than forty-five days  after  this
 act becomes a law.
   (b)  If  any such appointment is not made by such date, the appointing
 official may make the appointment  after  that  date,  but  such  vacant
 appointment  shall  not count for the calculation of a quorum until such
 vacancy is filled.
   (c) Any vacancies in the advisory council shall be filled in the  same
 manner as the original appointment was made.
   §  5. Policy proposal review and recommendations. The advisory council
 shall:
   (a) develop and publish a timeline, inclusive  of  yearly  benchmarks,
 for  reducing  child poverty in the state by fifty percent in ten years.
 Such timeline shall be made publicly available.

 A. 1160                             3
 
   (b) review the following non-inclusive list of  policy  proposals  and
 release  a  report  outlining  the  effect  that  the  enactment of such
 proposals would have on the rate of childhood poverty in New York:
   (i)  expanding  and strengthening the state's earned income tax credit
 to align with the state's minimum  wage  to  cover  individual  taxpayer
 identification  number filers and young, childless adults and to be paid
 out quarterly;
   (ii) expanding and strengthening  the  state's  child  tax  credit  to
 include young children, and to eliminate the minimum income threshold;
   (iii) expanding work training and employment programs in the state;
   (iv) expanding access to subsidized housing vouchers; and
   (v) expanding access to subsidized child care.
   (c)  investigate  the  effects  that  each  of the proposals listed in
 subdivision (b) of this section would have if enacted by itself, as well
 as the effect the proposals would have if enacted  in  conjunction  with
 the  other proposals. The advisory council shall include the cost to the
 state related to the implementation of such policies,  as  well  as  the
 projected  savings  in  both the short and long term that the state will
 realize by reducing poverty.
   (d) review agency programs that can be modified, suspended, or  other-
 wise changed to immediately reduce the child poverty rate.
   (e)  deliver  to  the  governor,  the  speaker of the assembly and the
 temporary president  of  the  senate  reports  containing  the  timeline
 required  pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section, the review of the
 policy proposals required pursuant to subdivision (b) of  this  section,
 the  investigation  of the effects of such policies pursuant to subdivi-
 sion (c) of this section and the  review  of  agency  programs  required
 pursuant to subdivision (d) of this section on or before six months from
 the date this act becomes a law.
   (f)  develop recommendations for additional policies and procedures to
 reduce the state's child poverty rate by fifty percent in ten years from
 the date that this act becomes a law. In developing  such  policies  and
 procedures,  the  advisory council shall be mindful of how such policies
 and procedures fit into the timeline created in subdivision (a) of  this
 section.  In  making  such  recommendations,  the advisory council shall
 consider:
   (i) actions, in addition  to  those  modifications,  suspensions,  and
 otherwise  changed,  that  can  be  done via agencies and authorities to
 begin to reduce the child poverty rate;
   (ii) the positive impacts that policies will have on  work,  marriage,
 opportunity for education, and social inclusion;
   (iii)  the impacts that policies would have on racial injustice in New
 York, being mindful that such proposals should not add to current racial
 disparities;
   (iv) policies and programs that are tied to work;
   (v) policies and programs that increase access to safety net  programs
 for immigrants and for undocumented persons; and
   (vi)  contextual  factors that may impact a family, parent, or child's
 ability to stay above the poverty line, including, but not limited to:
   (1) stability and predictability of income;
   (2) equitable and ready access to programs;
   (3) equitable treatment across racial and ethnic groups;
   (4) positive neighborhood conditions; and
   (5) the individual health and well-being of the parents and children.
   (vii) the cost to the state, including the  short-term  costs  of  the
 programs and the long-term savings from having such programs in place.

 A. 1160                             4
 
   (g)  deliver  to  the  governor,  the  speaker of the assembly and the
 temporary president of the senate the recommendations  of  the  advisory
 council  as  required  pursuant to subdivision (f) of this section on or
 before one year after the date this act becomes a law.
   (h)  release  bi-annual  reports  starting June 1, 2022, detailing the
 progress that the state has made in reducing the child poverty  rate  in
 line with the recommendations set forth in this section.
   (i) collaborate with experts in the field of poverty research, utilize
 available  data  from  other  relevant statewide studies of poverty, and
 solicit input from stakeholder interests including, but not  limited  to
 persons  impacted by poverty, non-profit organizations that assist those
 living in poverty, individuals or organizations that work to end  racial
 disparities  in  New York, and child poverty advocacy organizations. The
 advisory council shall also conduct formal public hearings, which  shall
 take place in at least four regions, as defined by empire state develop-
 ment  corporation,  and shall be offered during non-traditional hours to
 allow for persons unable to normally testify due to work requirements to
 so testify.
   § 6. Implementation of recommendations. Notwithstanding  any  contrary
 provision  of  law,  rule,  or regulation to the contrary, agencies with
 programs that have been identified as having current programs  that  can
 be modified to cut the child poverty rate, shall take all actions neces-
 sary to implement, in a reasonable, cost-efficient manner, the recommen-
 dations  of  the  advisory council pursuant to section five of this act;
 provided, however, that the recommendations of the advisory council  may
 be  overridden  by  a concurrent resolution to be voted on within forty-
 five days of such report being submitted pursuant  to  section  five  of
 this act and passed by both houses of the legislature.
   §  7.  Advisory council staff and agency liaison. (a) The commissioner
 of the department of children and family services shall  designate  such
 employees  of  the  department  of  children  and family services as are
 reasonably necessary to provide support services to the  advisory  coun-
 cil.  The advisory council, acting by the chair of the advisory council,
 may  employ  additional  staff  and  consultants, who shall be paid from
 amounts made available to the advisory council for such purpose.
   (b) All state agencies, public authorities, and public benefit  corpo-
 rations  shall provide such assistance as may be reasonably requested by
 the chair of the advisory council.
   § 8. Deliberations of the advisory council. The  deliberations,  meet-
 ings  and other proceedings of the advisory council and any committee or
 subcommittee thereof shall be governed by article 7 of the public  offi-
 cers  law.  Any  one  or more members of a committee or subcommittee may
 participate in a meeting of such committee or subcommittee by means of a
 conference telephone, conference video or similar communication or elec-
 tronic  communication,  provided  that  such  communication  allows  all
 persons  participating  in  the  meeting,  and all persons observing the
 meeting, including members of the public, to hear each other at the same
 time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence at  a  meet-
 ing.  If a meeting other than an executive session is to be conducted by
 means of a conference telephone, conference video  or  similar  communi-
 cation  or  electronic communication, the public notice for such meeting
 shall inform the public that such equipment will be  used,  and  further
 identify the means by which the public may listen to such meeting.
   § 9. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi-
 sion,  section,  or  part  of this act shall be adjudged by any court of
 competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment  shall  not  affect,

 A. 1160                             5
 
 impair,  or  invalidate  the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in
 its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph,  subdivision,  section
 or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg-
 ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of
 the  legislature  that  this  act  would  have been enacted even if such
 invalid provisions had not been included herein.
   § 10. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire  and  be
 deemed  repealed ten years after such effective date; provided, however,
 that the amendments to subdivision 7 of section 23 of the state  finance
 law  made by section two of this act shall not affect the repeal of such
 subdivision and shall be deemed repealed therewith.

 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  1160--A
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              January 7, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  BRONSON,  BARRON, CLARK, COOK, CRUZ, CUSICK,
   ENGLEBRIGHT, EPSTEIN, FAHY, PERRY, SEAWRIGHT, SIMON,  WOERNER,  MEEKS,
   JENSEN,  JACKSON, MITAYNES, LUNSFORD, RAMOS, RICHARDSON, AUBRY, GONZA-
   LEZ-ROJAS -- read once and referred to the Committee on  Children  and
   Families  --  committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as
   amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the child
   poverty reduction act and establishing an advisory council to effectu-
   ate a reduction in child poverty in the  state;  to  amend  the  state
   finance  law, in relation to requiring periodic reports on the state's
   progress in reducing child poverty and evaluating the effects  adjust-
   ments  or  reductions  to the state budget will have on reducing child
   poverty in New York state;  and  providing  for  the  repeal  of  such
   provisions upon expiration thereof
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1.  The executive law is amended by adding a new article  19-I
 to read as follows:
                               ARTICLE 19-I
                        CHILD POVERTY REDUCTION ACT
 SECTION 533.   SHORT TITLE.
         533-A. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.
         533-B. CHILD POVERTY REDUCTION ADVISORY COUNCIL ESTABLISHED.
         533-C. APPOINTMENTS TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
         533-D. POLICY PROPOSAL REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
         533-E. IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.
         533-F. ADVISORY COUNCIL STAFF AND AGENCY LIAISON.
         533-G. DELIBERATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
   §  533.  SHORT  TITLE. THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS
 THE "CHILD POVERTY REDUCTION ACT".
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD05201-04-1

 A. 1160--A                          2
 
   § 533-A.  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. THE LEGISLATURE HEREBY  DECLARES  THAT
 NEW YORK SHALL REDUCE THE OVERALL CHILD POVERTY RATE BY FIFTY PERCENT IN
 THE  NEXT TEN YEARS. NEARLY 3 MILLION NEW YORKERS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY,
 895,000 OF WHICH ARE CHILDREN. IN FACT, 1 IN 5 NEW YORK CHILDREN  STRUG-
 GLE  TO  MEET BASIC NEEDS, AND ALTHOUGH SEVERAL EFFORTS HAVE BEEN UNDER-
 TAKEN, THE OVERALL POVERTY  RATE  IN  NEW  YORK  HAS  FAILED  TO  SEE  A
 REDUCTION  OVER  THE  LAST  DECADE.  MEANWHILE,  THE  FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
 CONTINUES TO SLASH THOSE BENEFITS THAT HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO HAVE  POSITIVE
 IMPACTS  ON  LIFTING  CHILDREN  AND  THEIR  FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY. THE
 LEGISLATURE FINDS THAT REDUCING CHILD POVERTY WILL  PROTECT  THE  HEALTH
 AND  GENERAL  WELLBEING OF ALL NEW YORKERS AND LEAD TO LONG TERM SAVINGS
 FOR NEW YORK'S BUDGET. TO EFFECTUATE THIS REDUCTION, THE  CHILD  POVERTY
 REDUCTION  ADVISORY  COUNCIL  SHALL  BE  ESTABLISHED  TO RESEARCH POLICY
 IDEAS, DEVELOP BEST PRACTICES, AND CONTINUALLY MONITOR  RELEVANT  BENCH-
 MARKS  TO  ENSURE  THAT  NEW YORK REMAINS ON PACE TO SUCCESSFULLY REDUCE
 CHILD POVERTY BY FIFTY PERCENT IN TEN YEARS.
   § 533-B.  CHILD POVERTY REDUCTION ADVISORY COUNCIL ESTABLISHED. (A) TO
 EFFECTUATE A REDUCTION IN CHILD POVERTY IN THE STATE,  THERE  IS  HEREBY
 ESTABLISHED  AN  ADVISORY  COUNCIL,  TO  BE  KNOWN AS THE "CHILD POVERTY
 REDUCTION ADVISORY COUNCIL", HEREAFTER  REFERRED  TO  AS  THE  "ADVISORY
 COUNCIL".  THE  ADVISORY  COUNCIL  SHALL CARRY OUT THE REQUIRED ACTS SET
 FORTH IN SECTION FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE-D OF THIS ARTICLE, AS WELL AS
 ANY AND ALL OTHER ADDITIONAL FACTORS, ISSUES, OR  CONCERNS,  ESTABLISHED
 AND/OR CONSIDERED BY THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
   (B)  THE  ADVISORY  COUNCIL  SHALL  BE  APPOINTED  BY THE GOVERNOR AND
 CHAIRED BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER AND THE COMMISSION-
 ER OF THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,  OR  THEIR  DESIGNEES.
 ENSURING  ADEQUATE GEOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION, THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL
 BE APPOINTED IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER:
   (I) TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT  OF  THE
 SENATE;
   (II) TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY;
   (III) TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE
 OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES;
   (IV) AT LEAST ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED FROM EACH OF THE FOLLOWING
 ENTITIES:
   (1) THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE;
   (2) THE COUNCIL OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES;
   (3) THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE;
   (4) A REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL;
   (5) A STATEWIDE NON-PROFIT POVERTY ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION; AND
   (6) A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH A FOCUS ON POVERTY ISSUES; AND
   (V) TWO PERSONS WHO ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY POVERTY IN THE STATE.
   (C)  THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION
 FOR THEIR SERVICES BUT SHALL  BE  ALLOWED  THEIR  ACTUAL  AND  NECESSARY
 EXPENSES  INCURRED  IN  THE  PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES. MEMBERS OF THE
 ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL BE CONSIDERED PUBLIC  OFFICERS  FOR  PURPOSES  OF
 SECTION SEVENTEEN OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW.
   (D)  THE  ADVISORY  COUNCIL SHALL CONVENE WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THIS
 ACT SHALL HAVE BECOME LAW. A QUORUM SHALL CONSIST OF A MAJORITY  OF  THE
 MEMBERS  OF  THE  ADVISORY  COUNCIL ENTITLED TO VOTE ON THE MATTER UNDER
 CONSIDERATION. APPROVAL OF ANY MATTER SHALL REQUIRE THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE
 OF A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREON. THE ADVISORY COUNCIL  SHALL
 ADOPT  BY-LAWS FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION OF ITS AFFAIRS, INCLUD-
 ING THE CREATION OF COMMITTEES AND SUBCOMMITTEES TO EFFECTUATE THE  WORK
 REQUIRED.

 A. 1160--A                          3
 
   §  533-C.  APPOINTMENTS  TO  THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. (A) THE LEGISLATIVE
 LEADERS SHALL SUBMIT THEIR APPOINTMENTS TO THE GOVERNOR, AND THE  GOVER-
 NOR  SHALL  MAKE  HIS OR HER APPOINTMENTS, NO LATER THAN FORTY-FIVE DAYS
 AFTER THIS ARTICLE BECOMES A LAW.
   (B)  IF  ANY SUCH APPOINTMENT IS NOT MADE BY SUCH DATE, THE APPOINTING
 OFFICIAL MAY MAKE THE APPOINTMENT  AFTER  THAT  DATE,  BUT  SUCH  VACANT
 APPOINTMENT  SHALL  NOT COUNT FOR THE CALCULATION OF A QUORUM UNTIL SUCH
 VACANCY IS FILLED.
   (C) ANY VACANCIES IN THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL BE FILLED IN THE  SAME
 MANNER AS THE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT WAS MADE.
   §  533-D.  POLICY  PROPOSAL  REVIEW  AND RECOMMENDATIONS. THE ADVISORY
 COUNCIL SHALL:
   (A) DEVELOP AND PUBLISH A TIMELINE, INCLUSIVE  OF  YEARLY  BENCHMARKS,
 FOR  REDUCING  CHILD POVERTY IN THE STATE BY FIFTY PERCENT IN TEN YEARS.
 SUCH TIMELINE SHALL BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE.
   (B) CONSIDER POLICY PROPOSALS THAT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT  BE  LIMITED
 TO,  THE  FOLLOWING  PROPOSALS AND RELEASE A REPORT OUTLINING THE EFFECT
 THAT THE ENACTMENT OF SUCH PROPOSALS WOULD HAVE ON THE RATE OF CHILDHOOD
 POVERTY IN NEW YORK:
   (I) EXPANDING AND STRENGTHENING THE STATE'S EARNED INCOME  TAX  CREDIT
 TO  ALIGN  WITH  THE  STATE'S  MINIMUM WAGE TO COVER INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER
 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FILERS AND YOUNG, CHILDLESS ADULTS AND TO BE  PAID
 OUT QUARTERLY;
   (II)  EXPANDING  AND  STRENGTHENING  THE  STATE'S  CHILD TAX CREDIT TO
 INCLUDE YOUNG CHILDREN, AND TO ELIMINATE THE MINIMUM INCOME THRESHOLD;
   (III) EXPANDING WORK TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS IN THE STATE;
   (IV) EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUBSIDIZED HOUSING VOUCHERS; AND
   (V) EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUBSIDIZED CHILD CARE.
   (C) INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTS THAT  EACH  OF  THE  PROPOSALS  LISTED  IN
 SUBDIVISION (B) OF THIS SECTION WOULD HAVE IF ENACTED BY ITSELF, AS WELL
 AS  THE  EFFECT  THE PROPOSALS WOULD HAVE IF ENACTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH
 THE OTHER PROPOSALS. THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL INCLUDE THE COST TO  THE
 STATE  RELATED  TO  THE  IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH POLICIES, AS WELL AS THE
 PROJECTED SAVINGS IN BOTH THE SHORT AND LONG TERM THAT  THE  STATE  WILL
 REALIZE BY REDUCING POVERTY.
   (D)  REVIEW AGENCY PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE MODIFIED, SUSPENDED, OR OTHER-
 WISE CHANGED TO IMMEDIATELY REDUCE THE CHILD POVERTY RATE.
   (E) DELIVER TO THE GOVERNOR, THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY  AND  THE
 TEMPORARY  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  SENATE  REPORTS  CONTAINING  THE TIMELINE
 REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION, THE REVIEW OF  THE
 POLICY  PROPOSALS  REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (B) OF THIS SECTION,
 THE INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF SUCH POLICIES PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVI-
 SION  (C)  OF  THIS  SECTION  AND THE REVIEW OF AGENCY PROGRAMS REQUIRED
 PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (D) OF THIS SECTION ON OR BEFORE SIX MONTHS FROM
 THE DATE THIS ACT BECOMES A LAW.
   (F) DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES  TO
 REDUCE THE STATE'S CHILD POVERTY RATE BY FIFTY PERCENT IN TEN YEARS FROM
 THE  DATE  THAT  THIS ACT BECOMES A LAW. IN DEVELOPING SUCH POLICIES AND
 PROCEDURES, THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL BE MINDFUL OF HOW  SUCH  POLICIES
 AND  PROCEDURES FIT INTO THE TIMELINE CREATED IN SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS
 SECTION. IN MAKING SUCH  RECOMMENDATIONS,  THE  ADVISORY  COUNCIL  SHALL
 CONSIDER:
   (I)  ACTIONS,  IN  ADDITION  TO  THOSE MODIFICATIONS, SUSPENSIONS, AND
 OTHERWISE CHANGED, THAT CAN BE DONE  VIA  AGENCIES  AND  AUTHORITIES  TO
 BEGIN TO REDUCE THE CHILD POVERTY RATE;

 A. 1160--A                          4
 
   (II)  THE  POSITIVE IMPACTS THAT POLICIES WILL HAVE ON WORK, MARRIAGE,
 OPPORTUNITY FOR EDUCATION, AND SOCIAL INCLUSION;
   (III)  THE IMPACTS THAT POLICIES WOULD HAVE ON RACIAL INJUSTICE IN NEW
 YORK, BEING MINDFUL THAT SUCH PROPOSALS SHOULD NOT ADD TO CURRENT RACIAL
 DISPARITIES;
   (IV) POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE TIED TO WORK;
   (V) POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT INCREASE ACCESS TO SAFETY NET  PROGRAMS
 FOR IMMIGRANTS AND FOR UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS; AND
   (VI) OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY IMPACT A FAMILY, PARENT, OR CHILD'S ABILI-
 TY TO STAY ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
   (1) STABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY OF INCOME;
   (2) EQUITABLE AND READY ACCESS TO PROGRAMS;
   (3) EQUITABLE TREATMENT ACROSS RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS;
   (4) POSITIVE NEIGHBORHOOD CONDITIONS; AND
   (5) THE INDIVIDUAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
   (VII)  THE  COST  TO  THE STATE, INCLUDING THE SHORT-TERM COSTS OF THE
 PROGRAMS AND THE LONG-TERM SAVINGS FROM HAVING SUCH PROGRAMS IN PLACE.
   (G) DELIVER TO THE GOVERNOR, THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY  AND  THE
 TEMPORARY  PRESIDENT  OF  THE SENATE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY
 COUNCIL AS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (F) OF THIS  SECTION  ON  OR
 BEFORE ONE YEAR AFTER THE DATE THIS ARTICLE BECOMES A LAW.
   (H)  RELEASE  BI-ANNUAL  REPORTS  STARTING JUNE 1, 2022, DETAILING THE
 PROGRESS THAT THE STATE HAS MADE IN REDUCING THE CHILD POVERTY  RATE  IN
 LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.
   (I) COLLABORATE WITH EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF POVERTY RESEARCH, UTILIZE
 AVAILABLE  DATA  FROM  OTHER  RELEVANT STATEWIDE STUDIES OF POVERTY, AND
 SOLICIT INPUT FROM STAKEHOLDER INTERESTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT  LIMITED  TO
 PERSONS  IMPACTED BY POVERTY, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ASSIST THOSE
 LIVING IN POVERTY, INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK TO END  RACIAL
 DISPARITIES  IN  NEW YORK, AND CHILD POVERTY ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS. THE
 ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL ALSO CONDUCT FORMAL PUBLIC HEARINGS, WHICH  SHALL
 TAKE PLACE IN AT LEAST FOUR REGIONS, AS DEFINED BY EMPIRE STATE DEVELOP-
 MENT  CORPORATION,  AND SHALL BE OFFERED DURING NON-TRADITIONAL HOURS TO
 ALLOW FOR PERSONS UNABLE TO NORMALLY TESTIFY DUE TO WORK REQUIREMENTS TO
 SO TESTIFY.
   §  533-E.  IMPLEMENTATION  OF  RECOMMENDATIONS.  NOTWITHSTANDING   ANY
 CONTRARY PROVISION OF LAW, RULE, OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, AGENCIES
 WITH  PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS HAVING CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT
 CAN BE MODIFIED TO CUT THE CHILD POVERTY RATE, SHALL  TAKE  ALL  ACTIONS
 NECESSARY  TO  IMPLEMENT,  IN  A  REASONABLE, COST-EFFICIENT MANNER, THE
 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL PURSUANT TO SECTION FIVE HUNDRED
 THIRTY-THREE-D OF THIS ARTICLE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE  RECOMMENDA-
 TIONS  OF  THE ADVISORY COUNCIL MAY BE OVERRIDDEN BY A CONCURRENT RESOL-
 UTION TO BE VOTED ON WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF SUCH REPORT BEING SUBMIT-
 TED PURSUANT TO SECTION FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE-D OF THIS ARTICLE  AND
 PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE.
   §  533-F.  ADVISORY  COUNCIL STAFF AND AGENCY LIAISON. (A) THE COMMIS-
 SIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES SHALL DESIGNATE
 SUCH EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES AS  ARE
 REASONABLY  NECESSARY  TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE ADVISORY COUN-
 CIL.  THE ADVISORY COUNCIL, ACTING BY THE CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL,
 MAY EMPLOY ADDITIONAL STAFF AND CONSULTANTS,  WHO  SHALL  BE  PAID  FROM
 AMOUNTS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR SUCH PURPOSE.
   (B)  ALL STATE AGENCIES, PUBLIC AUTHORITIES, AND PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPO-
 RATIONS SHALL PROVIDE SUCH ASSISTANCE AS MAY BE REASONABLY REQUESTED  BY
 THE CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.

 A. 1160--A                          5
 
   §  533-G.  DELIBERATIONS  OF  THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. THE DELIBERATIONS,
 MEETINGS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL AND ANY COMMITTEE
 OR SUBCOMMITTEE THEREOF SHALL BE GOVERNED BY ARTICLE SEVEN OF THE PUBLIC
 OFFICERS LAW. ANY ONE OR MORE MEMBERS OF A COMMITTEE OR SUBCOMMITTEE MAY
 PARTICIPATE IN A MEETING OF SUCH COMMITTEE OR SUBCOMMITTEE BY MEANS OF A
 CONFERENCE TELEPHONE, CONFERENCE VIDEO OR SIMILAR COMMUNICATION OR ELEC-
 TRONIC  COMMUNICATION,  PROVIDED  THAT  SUCH  COMMUNICATION  ALLOWS  ALL
 PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE MEETING,  AND  ALL  PERSONS  OBSERVING  THE
 MEETING, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, TO HEAR EACH OTHER AT THE SAME
 TIME.  PARTICIPATION  BY SUCH MEANS SHALL CONSTITUTE PRESENCE AT A MEET-
 ING. IF A MEETING OTHER THAN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION IS TO BE CONDUCTED  BY
 MEANS  OF  A  CONFERENCE TELEPHONE, CONFERENCE VIDEO OR SIMILAR COMMUNI-
 CATION OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION, THE PUBLIC NOTICE FOR  SUCH  MEETING
 SHALL  INFORM  THE  PUBLIC THAT SUCH EQUIPMENT WILL BE USED, AND FURTHER
 IDENTIFY THE MEANS BY WHICH THE PUBLIC MAY LISTEN TO SUCH MEETING.
   § 2. Section 22 of the state finance law is amended by  adding  a  new
 subdivision 1-d to read as follows:
   1-D.    WITHIN  TEN  DAYS  FOLLOWING THE SUBMISSION OF THE   FINANCIAL
 PLANS PRESENTED   IN   ACCORDANCE   WITH   SUBDIVISION   ONE   OF   THIS
 SECTION,  THE  DIRECTOR  OF THE BUDGET SHALL SUBMIT TO THE CHAIRS OF THE
 SENATE  FINANCE AND  THE  ASSEMBLY  WAYS  AND   MEANS   COMMITTEES   AND
 THE COMPTROLLER A REPORT ON THE OVERALL CHILD POVERTY RATE IN THE STATE,
 IN  ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS OF THE CHILD POVERTY
 REDUCTION ADVISORY COUNCIL ESTABLISHED  BY  ARTICLE  NINETEEN-I  OF  THE
 EXECUTIVE  LAW.  SUCH REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET SHALL INCLUDE
 INFORMATION ON THE INCREASE OR DECREASE  OF  CHILD  POVERTY  DURING  THE
 PRIOR YEAR (INCLUDING INFORMATION BY REGION OF THE STATE AND BY THE RACE
 AND  ETHNICITY  OF  THE  CHILDREN),  THE PROGRESS OR LACK THEREOF BY THE
 STATE IN MEETING THE GOALS SET FORTH IN ARTICLE NINETEEN-I OF THE EXECU-
 TIVE LAW TO REDUCE THE OVERALL CHILD POVERTY  RATE,  AND  THE  PROPOSALS
 CONTAINED  WITHIN  THE BUDGET THAT ARE EXPECTED TO IMPACT UPON THE CHILD
 POVERTY RATE.
   § 3. Subdivision 7 of section 23 of the state finance law  is  amended
 by adding a new paragraph g to read as follows:
   G. PRIOR TO MAKING ANY SUCH ADJUSTMENT OR REDUCTION AUTHORIZED BY THIS
 SUBDIVISION, THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET SHALL EVALUATE THE  EFFECT  THAT
 SUCH  REDUCTIONS  WILL HAVE ON CHILD POVERTY IN NEW YORK, AND SHALL MAKE
 SUCH EVALUATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
   § 4. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi-
 sion, section, or part of this act shall be adjudged  by  any  court  of
 competent  jurisdiction  to  be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
 impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall  be  confined  in
 its  operation  to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section
 or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg-
 ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of
 the legislature that this act would  have  been  enacted  even  if  such
 invalid provisions had not been included herein.
   §  5.  This  act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
 deemed repealed ten years after such effective date; provided,  however,
 that  the amendments to subdivision 7 of section 23 of the state finance
 law made by section three of this act shall not  affect  the  repeal  of
 such subdivision and shall be deemed repealed therewith.

 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  1160--B
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              January 7, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  BRONSON,  BARRON, CLARK, COOK, CRUZ, CUSICK,
   ENGLEBRIGHT, EPSTEIN, FAHY, PERRY, SEAWRIGHT, SIMON,  WOERNER,  MEEKS,
   JENSEN,  JACKSON, MITAYNES, LUNSFORD, RAMOS, RICHARDSON, AUBRY, GONZA-
   LEZ-ROJAS, GOTTFRIED, ANDERSON, WALLACE, FRONTUS,  REYES,  BRAUNSTEIN,
   DINOWITZ,  McDONALD,  HUNTER,  WEPRIN,  JEAN-PIERRE, DARLING, GUNTHER,
   SMITH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Children and Fami-
   lies -- committee  discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered  reprinted  as
   amended  and recommitted to said committee -- reference changed to the
   Committee on Social Services -- committee  discharged,  bill  amended,
   ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN  ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to establishing an
   advisory council to effectuate a reduction in  child  poverty  in  the
   state;  to amend the state finance law, in relation to requiring peri-
   odic reports on the state's progress in  reducing  child  poverty  and
   evaluating  the  effects adjustments or reductions to the state budget
   will have on reducing child poverty in New York state;  and  providing
   for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The social services law is amended by adding a new  section
 131-zz to read as follows:
   §  131-ZZ.  CHILD  POVERTY  REDUCTION.  1.   LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. THE
 LEGISLATURE HEREBY DECLARES THAT NEW YORK SHOULD TAKE ANY  STEPS  NECES-
 SARY  TO  REDUCE  THE OVERALL CHILD POVERTY RATE BY FIFTY PERCENT IN THE
 NEXT TEN YEARS. NEARLY THREE MILLION NEW YORKERS ARE LIVING IN  POVERTY,
 EIGHT  HUNDRED  NINETY-FIVE THOUSAND OF WHICH ARE CHILDREN. IN FACT, ONE
 IN FIVE NEW YORK CHILDREN STRUGGLE TO MEET  BASIC  NEEDS,  AND  ALTHOUGH
 SEVERAL  EFFORTS  HAVE  BEEN UNDERTAKEN, THE OVERALL POVERTY RATE IN NEW
 YORK HAS FAILED TO SEE A REDUCTION OVER THE LAST DECADE. THE LEGISLATURE
 FINDS THAT REDUCING CHILD POVERTY WILL PROTECT THE  HEALTH  AND  GENERAL
 WELL-BEING  OF  ALL NEW YORKERS. TO EFFECTUATE THIS REDUCTION, THE CHILD
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD05201-05-1

 A. 1160--B                          2
 
 POVERTY REDUCTION ADVISORY COUNCIL  SHALL  BE  ESTABLISHED  TO  RESEARCH
 POLICY  IDEAS,  DEVELOP BEST PRACTICES, AND CONTINUALLY MONITOR RELEVANT
 BENCHMARKS TO ENSURE THAT NEW YORK CONTINUES TO  WORK  TOWARDS  REDUCING
 CHILD POVERTY BY FIFTY PERCENT IN TEN YEARS.
   2. CHILD POVERTY REDUCTION ADVISORY COUNCIL ESTABLISHED. (A) TO EFFEC-
 TUATE  A REDUCTION IN CHILD POVERTY IN THE STATE, THERE IS HEREBY ESTAB-
 LISHED AN ADVISORY COUNCIL, TO BE KNOWN AS THE "CHILD POVERTY  REDUCTION
 ADVISORY  COUNCIL", HEREAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE "ADVISORY COUNCIL". THE
 ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL CARRY OUT THE REQUIRED ACTS SET FORTH IN SUBDIVI-
 SION FOUR OF THIS SECTION.
   (B) THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL BE CHAIRED BY  A  REPRE-
 SENTATIVE OF THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF
 TEMPORARY  AND  DISABILITY  ASSISTANCE,  OR  THEIR  DESIGNEES.  ENSURING
 ADEQUATE GEOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION,  MEMBERS  OF  THE  ADVISORY  COUNCIL
 SHALL BE APPOINTED IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER:
   (I)  TWO  MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
 SENATE;
   (II) TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY;
   (III) TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE
 OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE;
   (IV) AT LEAST ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR FROM  EACH
 OF THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES:
   (1) THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES;
   (2) THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES;
   (3) THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE;
   (4) A REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL;
   (5) A STATEWIDE NON-PROFIT POVERTY ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION; AND
   (6) A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH A FOCUS ON POVERTY ISSUES; AND
   (V) TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY POVERTY IN THE STATE.
   (C)  THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION
 FOR THEIR SERVICES BUT SHALL  BE  ALLOWED  THEIR  ACTUAL  AND  NECESSARY
 EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.
   (D)  THE  ADVISORY  COUNCIL  SHALL CONVENE WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE
 EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.  A QUORUM SHALL CONSIST OF A MAJORITY OF
 THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ENTITLED TO VOTE ON THE MATTER UNDER
 CONSIDERATION. APPROVAL OF ANY MATTER SHALL REQUIRE THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE
 OF A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREON. THE ADVISORY COUNCIL  SHALL
 ADOPT  BY-LAWS FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION OF ITS AFFAIRS, INCLUD-
 ING THE CREATION OF COMMITTEES AND SUBCOMMITTEES TO EFFECTUATE THE  WORK
 REQUIRED.
   3.  APPOINTMENTS  TO  THE  ADVISORY COUNCIL.   (A) APPOINTMENTS TO THE
 ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL BE MADE NO LATER THAN FORTY-FIVE DAYS  AFTER  THE
 EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.
   (B)  IF  ANY SUCH APPOINTMENT IS NOT MADE BY SUCH DATE, THE APPOINTING
 OFFICIAL MAY MAKE THE APPOINTMENT  AFTER  THAT  DATE,  BUT  SUCH  VACANT
 APPOINTMENT  SHALL  NOT COUNT FOR THE CALCULATION OF A QUORUM UNTIL SUCH
 VACANCY IS FILLED.
   (C) ANY VACANCIES IN THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL BE FILLED IN THE  SAME
 MANNER AS THE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT WAS MADE.
   4.  POLICY  PROPOSAL  REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS. THE ADVISORY COUNCIL
 SHALL:
   (A) DEVELOP AND PUBLISH A TIMELINE, INCLUSIVE  OF  YEARLY  BENCHMARKS,
 FOR  REDUCING  CHILD POVERTY IN THE STATE BY FIFTY PERCENT IN TEN YEARS.
 SUCH TIMELINE SHALL BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE.
   (B) CONSIDER POLICY PROPOSALS THAT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT  BE  LIMITED
 TO,  THE  FOLLOWING  PROPOSALS AND RELEASE A REPORT OUTLINING THE EFFECT

 A. 1160--B                          3
 
 THAT THE ENACTMENT OF SUCH PROPOSALS MAY HAVE ON THE RATE  OF  CHILDHOOD
 POVERTY IN NEW YORK:
   (I)  EXPANDING  AND STRENGTHENING THE STATE'S EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT
 TO ALIGN WITH THE STATE'S MINIMUM  WAGE  TO  COVER  INDIVIDUAL  TAXPAYER
 IDENTIFICATION  NUMBER FILERS AND YOUNG, CHILDLESS ADULTS AND TO BE PAID
 OUT QUARTERLY;
   (II) EXPANDING AND STRENGTHENING  THE  STATE'S  CHILD  TAX  CREDIT  TO
 INCLUDE YOUNG CHILDREN, AND TO ELIMINATE THE MINIMUM INCOME THRESHOLD;
   (III) EXPANDING WORK TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS IN THE STATE;
   (IV) EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUBSIDIZED HOUSING; AND
   (V) EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUBSIDIZED CHILD CARE.
   (C) INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTS THAT EACH OF THE PROPOSALS LISTED IN PARA-
 GRAPH  (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION MAY HAVE IF ENACTED BY ITSELF, AS WELL AS
 THE EFFECT THE PROPOSALS MAY HAVE IF ENACTED  IN  CONJUNCTION  WITH  THE
 OTHER  PROPOSALS.  THE  ADVISORY  COUNCIL  SHALL INCLUDE THE COST TO THE
 STATE RELATED TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH POLICIES,  AS  WELL  AS  THE
 PROJECTED  SAVINGS  IN BOTH THE SHORT AND LONG TERM THAT THE STATE COULD
 REALIZE BY REDUCING POVERTY.
   (D) REVIEW AGENCY PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE MODIFIED, SUSPENDED, OR  OTHER-
 WISE CHANGED TO IMMEDIATELY REDUCE THE CHILD POVERTY RATE.
   (E)  DELIVER  TO  THE  GOVERNOR,  THE  SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE
 TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF  THE  SENATE,  REPORTS  CONTAINING  THE  TIMELINE
 REQUIRED  PURSUANT  TO  PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE REVIEW OF
 THE POLICY PROPOSALS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
 SION, THE INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS  OF  SUCH  POLICIES  PURSUANT  TO
 PARAGRAPH  (C)  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION  AND THE REVIEW OF AGENCY PROGRAMS
 REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (D) OF THIS SUBDIVISION ON OR BEFORE  SIX
 MONTHS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.
   (F)  DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO
 REDUCE THE STATE'S CHILD POVERTY RATE BY FIFTY PERCENT IN TEN YEARS FROM
 THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.  IN  DEVELOPING  SUCH  POLICIES  AND
 PROCEDURES, THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL CONSIDER:
   (I)    THE  DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT POVERTY MAY HAVE ON VARIOUS RACIAL
 AND ETHNIC COMMUNITIES AND WHAT POLICIES MAY ASSIST IN ALLEVIATING  SUCH
 DISPARITIES;
   (II) WAYS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO PUBLIC BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS REGARD-
 LESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS;
   (III)  POLICIES  THAT ASSIST FAMILIES TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN FINANCIAL
 STABILITY, INCLUDING POLICIES THAT ASSIST INDIVIDUALS  WITH  EDUCATIONAL
 ADVANCEMENTS AS WELL AS SECURING EMPLOYMENT THAT PROVIDES A LIVING WAGE;
 AND
   (IV)  ANY  OTHER  FACTORS THAT MAY IMPACT A FAMILY, PARENT, OR CHILD'S
 ABILITY TO STAY ABOVE THE POVERTY LEVEL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
   (1) STABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY OF INCOME;
   (2) EQUITABLE AND READY ACCESS TO PROGRAMS;
   (3) EQUITABLE TREATMENT ACROSS RACIAL, IMMIGRATION AND ETHNIC GROUPS;
   (4) POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS;
   (5) THE INDIVIDUAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE PARENTS AND  CHILDREN;
 AND
   (6)  THE  COST  TO  THE  STATE,  INCLUDING THE SHORT-TERM COSTS OF THE
 PROGRAMS AND THE LONG-TERM SAVINGS FROM HAVING SUCH PROGRAMS IN PLACE.
   (G) DELIVER TO THE GOVERNOR, THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY  AND  THE
 TEMPORARY  PRESIDENT  OF  THE SENATE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY
 COUNCIL AS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (F) OF THIS SUBDIVISION ON  OR
 BEFORE ONE YEAR AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.

 A. 1160--B                          4
 
   (H)  RELEASE BI-ANNUAL REPORTS STARTING JUNE FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWEN-
 TY-TWO, DETAILING THE PROGRESS THAT THE STATE HAS MADE IN  REDUCING  THE
 CHILD  POVERTY  RATE  IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS
 SUBDIVISION.
   (I) COLLABORATE WITH EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF POVERTY RESEARCH, UTILIZE
 AVAILABLE  DATA  FROM  OTHER  RELEVANT STATEWIDE STUDIES OF POVERTY, AND
 SOLICIT INPUT FROM STAKEHOLDER INTERESTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT  LIMITED  TO
 PERSONS  IMPACTED BY POVERTY, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ASSIST THOSE
 LIVING IN POVERTY, INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK TO END  RACIAL
 DISPARITIES  IN  NEW YORK, AND CHILD POVERTY ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS. THE
 ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL ALSO CONDUCT FORMAL PUBLIC HEARINGS, WHICH  SHALL
 TAKE  PLACE  IN  AT  LEAST  FOUR REGIONS OF THE STATE, AS DEFINED BY THE
 EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND SHALL BE OFFERED  DURING  NON-
 TRADITIONAL HOURS TO ALLOW FOR PERSONS UNABLE TO NORMALLY TESTIFY DUE TO
 WORK REQUIREMENTS TO SO TESTIFY.
   5.    IMPLEMENTATION  OF  RECOMMENDATIONS. THE LEGISLATURE MAY UTILIZE
 RECOMMENDATIONS PROVIDED TO PRIORITIZE THE  IMPLEMENTATION  OF  PROGRAMS
 AND  SERVICES, AS THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE, THAT WOULD FACILITATE THE GOALS
 OF REDUCING CHILD POVERTY BY FIFTY PERCENT OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS  FROM
 THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.
   6.  ADVISORY COUNCIL STAFF AND AGENCY LIAISON. (A) THE COMMISSIONER OF
 THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE SHALL  DESIGNATE  SUCH
 EMPLOYEES  OF  THE  OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE AS ARE
 REASONABLY NECESSARY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE  ADVISORY  COUN-
 CIL.  THE ADVISORY COUNCIL, ACTING BY THE CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL,
 MAY  EMPLOY  ADDITIONAL  STAFF  AND  CONSULTANTS, WHO SHALL BE PAID FROM
 AMOUNTS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR SUCH PURPOSE.
   (B) ALL STATE AGENCIES, PUBLIC AUTHORITIES, AND PUBLIC BENEFIT  CORPO-
 RATIONS  SHALL PROVIDE SUCH ASSISTANCE AS MAY BE REASONABLY REQUESTED BY
 THE CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.   PROVIDED HOWEVER,  ANY  INFORMATION
 PROVIDED  SHALL  BE  KEPT  CONFIDENTIAL  AND  SHALL BE USED ONLY FOR THE
 SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF EFFECTUATING THE DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL.
   7. DELIBERATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. THE DELIBERATIONS,  MEETINGS
 AND  OTHER  PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  ADVISORY  COUNCIL AND ANY COMMITTEE OR
 SUBCOMMITTEE THEREOF SHALL BE GOVERNED BY ARTICLE SEVEN  OF  THE  PUBLIC
 OFFICERS LAW. ANY ONE OR MORE MEMBERS OF A COMMITTEE OR SUBCOMMITTEE MAY
 PARTICIPATE IN A MEETING OF SUCH COMMITTEE OR SUBCOMMITTEE BY MEANS OF A
 CONFERENCE TELEPHONE, CONFERENCE VIDEO OR SIMILAR COMMUNICATION OR ELEC-
 TRONIC  COMMUNICATION,  PROVIDED  THAT  SUCH  COMMUNICATION  ALLOWS  ALL
 PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE MEETING,  AND  ALL  PERSONS  OBSERVING  THE
 MEETING, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, TO HEAR EACH OTHER AT THE SAME
 TIME.  PARTICIPATION  BY SUCH MEANS SHALL CONSTITUTE PRESENCE AT A MEET-
 ING. IF A MEETING OTHER THAN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION IS TO BE CONDUCTED  BY
 MEANS  OF  A  CONFERENCE TELEPHONE, CONFERENCE VIDEO OR SIMILAR COMMUNI-
 CATION OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION, THE PUBLIC NOTICE FOR  SUCH  MEETING
 SHALL  INFORM  THE  PUBLIC THAT SUCH EQUIPMENT WILL BE USED, AND FURTHER
 IDENTIFY THE MEANS BY WHICH THE PUBLIC MAY LISTEN TO SUCH MEETING.
   § 2. Section 22 of the state finance law is amended by  adding  a  new
 subdivision 1-d to read as follows:
   1-D.    WITHIN  TEN  DAYS  FOLLOWING THE SUBMISSION OF THE   FINANCIAL
 PLANS PRESENTED   IN   ACCORDANCE   WITH   SUBDIVISION   ONE   OF   THIS
 SECTION,  THE  DIRECTOR  OF THE BUDGET SHALL SUBMIT TO THE CHAIRS OF THE
 SENATE  FINANCE AND  THE  ASSEMBLY  WAYS  AND   MEANS   COMMITTEES   AND
 THE  COMPTROLLER,  A  REPORT  ON  THE  OVERALL CHILD POVERTY RATE IN THE
 STATE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS OF  THE  CHILD
 POVERTY  REDUCTION  ADVISORY  COUNCIL ESTABLISHED BY SECTION ONE HUNDRED

 A. 1160--B                          5
 
 THIRTY-ONE-ZZ OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW. SUCH REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR OF
 THE BUDGET SHALL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON  THE  INCREASE  OR  DECREASE  OF
 CHILD  POVERTY DURING THE PRIOR YEAR (INCLUDING INFORMATION BY REGION OF
 THE  STATE  AND BY THE RACE AND ETHNICITY OF THE CHILDREN), THE PROGRESS
 OR LACK THEREOF BY THE STATE IN MEETING THE GOALS SET FORTH  IN  SECTION
 ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE-ZZ OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW TO REDUCE THE OVER-
 ALL  CHILD  POVERTY  RATE, AND THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED WITHIN THE BUDGET
 THAT ARE EXPECTED TO IMPACT THE CHILD POVERTY RATE.
   § 3. Subdivision 7 of section 23 of the state finance law  is  amended
 by adding a new paragraph (g) to read as follows:
   (G) PRIOR TO MAKING ANY SUCH ADJUSTMENT  OR  REDUCTION  AUTHORIZED  BY
 THIS  SUBDIVISION,  THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET SHALL EVALUATE THE EFFECT
 THAT SUCH REDUCTIONS WILL HAVE ON CHILD POVERTY IN NEW YORK,  AND  SHALL
 MAKE SUCH EVALUATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
   § 4. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi-
 sion,  section,  or  part  of this act shall be adjudged by any court of
 competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment  shall  not  affect,
 impair,  or  invalidate  the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in
 its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph,  subdivision,  section
 or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg-
 ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of
 the  legislature  that  this  act  would  have been enacted even if such
 invalid provisions had not been included herein.
   § 5. This act shall take effect immediately and shall  expire  and  be
 deemed  repealed ten years after such effective date; provided, however,
 that the amendments to subdivision 7 of section 23 of the state  finance
 law  made  by  section  three of this act shall not affect the repeal of
 such subdivision and shall be deemed repealed therewith.