S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
2671
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 26, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. J. M. GIGLIO -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to allowing for
three forty-five day extensions of necessary and available emergency
shelter for victims of domestic violence
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 459-b of the social services law, as amended by
chapter 7 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
§ 459-b. Residential services for victims of domestic violence. In
accordance with section one hundred thirty-one-u of this chapter and the
regulations of the office of children and family services, a social
services district shall offer and provide necessary and available emer-
gency shelter and services for up to ninety days at a residential
program for victims of domestic violence to a victim of domestic
violence who was residing in the social services district at the time of
the alleged domestic violence whether or not such victim is eligible for
public assistance. [Two] THREE forty-five day extensions of necessary
and available emergency shelter may be granted beyond the maximum length
of stay at a residential program for victims of domestic violence for
residents who continue to be in need of emergency services and temporary
shelter. If the victim of domestic violence has a service animal as such
term is defined in section one hundred twenty-three-b of the agriculture
and markets law, or therapy dog as such term is defined in section one
hundred eight of the agriculture and markets law, respectively, such
service animal or therapy dog shall be allowed to accompany the victim
at the residential program authorized pursuant to this section, so long
as such accompaniment would not create an undue burden as defined by
section two hundred ninety-six of the executive law.
Where such accompaniment would constitute an undue burden, the resi-
dential program shall make reasonable efforts to facilitate placement of
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01685-01-3
A. 2671 2
such animal at an off-site animal care facility or if reasonable efforts
fail, provide referral to one or more off-site animal care facilities.
Such off-site animal care may include, but not be limited to, boarding
at a veterinary hospital or under the auspices of a duly incorporated
humane society, or duly incorporated animal protection association
approved for such purpose by the department of agriculture and markets.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any rights or
obligations provided pursuant to federal or state law, including but not
limited to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with
disabilities.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.