S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
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4029
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 9, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GONZALEZ-ROJAS -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing liaison
officers, regional contacts, and campus contacts to assist college
students experiencing homelessness to find housing
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new article 127-A
to read as follows:
ARTICLE 127-A
STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
SECTION 6360. DEFINITION.
6361. LIAISON OFFICERS, REGIONAL CONTACTS, AND CAMPUS CONTACTS.
6362. ACCESS TO HOUSING FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
6363. PRIORITY ENROLLMENT.
6364. ASSISTANCE WITH COLLEGE FEES FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
6365. PILOT PROGRAM TO INCREASE ENROLLMENT, ATTENDANCE, AND
SUCCESS IN COLLEGE.
§ 6360. DEFINITION. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE TERM "STUDENTS EXPE-
RIENCING HOMELESSNESS" MEANS STUDENTS WHO AT ANY TIME DURING THE CURRENT
SCHOOL YEAR OR THE TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THEIR
ENROLLMENT IN COLLEGE HAVE BEEN HOMELESS, AS DEFINED BY THE MEANING
ASSIGNED TO THE TERM "HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTHS" UNDER 42 U.S.C.
SECTION 11434A AND INCLUDES STUDENTS WHO RESIDE IN A STUDENT HOUSING
FACILITY MAINTAINED BY A COLLEGE DURING AN ACADEMIC TERM BUT WHO ARE
HOMELESS BETWEEN ACADEMIC TERMS.
§ 6361. LIAISON OFFICERS, REGIONAL CONTACTS, AND CAMPUS CONTACTS. 1.
THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AND THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
EACH SHALL HIRE AT LEAST ONE FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STAFF MEMBER TO ACT AS
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08505-01-3
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A LIAISON OFFICER FOR CURRENT AND INCOMING STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOME-
LESSNESS.
2. THE LIAISON OFFICER SHALL:
(A) HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF AND EXPERTISE IN: FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL
AID ELIGIBILITY OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING THEIR
ELIGIBILITY AS INDEPENDENT STUDENTS UNDER SECTION 1087VV OF THE FEDERAL
HIGHER EDUCATION ACT; SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING HEALTH SERVICES; HOUS-
ING RESOURCES OFFERED BY THE COLLEGE AND EXTERNAL HOUSING RESOURCES,
INCLUDING HOUSING NAVIGATION SERVICES AND EXISTING HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR
HOMELESS OR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES; MEAL PLAN AND FOOD
PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE, COUNSELING SERVICES, ACADEMIC SUPPORTS, AND
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY; AND BEST PRAC-
TICES TO IDENTIFY AND SERVE STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, WITH THE
GOAL OF MAXIMIZING THEIR ENROLLMENT, RETENTION, AND SUCCESS IN COLLEGE;
(B) CREATE SYSTEMS FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO ACCESS
SUPPORT SERVICES AND OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE STUDENTS AT THE
UNIVERSITY; COORDINATE WITH THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AND THE
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK ON INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING AIMED AT INCREAS-
ING ACCESS, ENROLLMENT, ATTENDANCE AND SUCCESS IN COLLEGE FOR STUDENTS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING PILOT INITIATIVES PURSUANT TO
SECTION SIXTY-THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE;
(C) PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE THE AVAILABILITY OF CAMPUS CONTACT PERSONS FOR
CURRENT AND INCOMING STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AT THE UNIVERSI-
TY, INSTITUTE BEST PRACTICES TO IDENTIFY STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESS-
NESS, AND HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCIAL AID, SUPPORT SERVICES, AND
BEST PRACTICES AS DESIGNATED BY PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION;
(D) PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
ACTIVITIES TO PROFESSORS AND UNIVERSITY STAFF WORKING IN THE AREAS OF
FINANCIAL AID, HOUSING, STUDENT SERVICES, AND TEACHING AND ACADEMIC
SUPPORT REGARDING THE CHARACTERISTICS, NEEDS, STRENGTHS, AND IDENTIFICA-
TION OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS;
(E) COMPLETE NECESSARY ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS AND DATA COLLECTION
RELATED TO STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING DEVELOPING,
ADMINISTERING, AND ANALYZING THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY ANNUALLY, COLLABO-
RATIVELY WITH CAMPUS CONTACTS DESIGNATED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION FOUR OF
THIS SECTION, SOCIAL WORK INTERNS, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL STAFF, TO COLLECT
DATA ON STUDENT ACCESS TO RESOURCES NEEDED TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS
ACROSS THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AND THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW
YORK; AND
(F) MAKE AVAILABLE AN ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SURVEY ADMINISTERED PURSU-
ANT TO PARAGRAPH (E) OF THIS SUBDIVISION ON THE WEBSITES OF THE STATE
UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AND THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK.
3. THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AND THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW
YORK EACH SHALL REQUIRE PROFESSORS AND UNIVERSITY STAFF TO ATTEND AT
LEAST ONE TRAINING PER YEAR OFFERED BY THE LIAISON OFFICER FOR CURRENT
AND INCOMING STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
4. THE LIAISON OFFICER FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK SHALL HIRE
ONE PART-TIME ADJUNCT STAFF TO SERVE AS REGIONAL CONTACT IN EACH OF TEN
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGIONS. SUCH REGIONAL CONTACTS SHALL SUPERVISE THE
CAMPUS CONTACTS IN THEIR REGION AND SUPPORT THE LIAISON OFFICER TO
ENSURE THAT STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ARE IDENTIFIED, INFORMED
OF SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THEM, AND ABLE TO ACCESS SUPPORT SERVICES AND
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN THE REGION.
5. THE LIAISON OFFICER FOR THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK SHALL HIRE
FIVE PART-TIME ADJUNCT STAFF TO SERVE AS REGIONAL CONTACTS. SUCH
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REGIONAL CONTACTS SHALL SUPERVISE THE CAMPUS CONTACTS IN THEIR REGIONS
AND SUPPORT THE LIAISON OFFICER TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS ARE IDENTIFIED, INFORMED OF SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THEM, AND
ABLE TO ACCESS SUPPORT SERVICES AND OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN THE
REGION.
6. EACH COLLEGE SHALL DESIGNATE AND MAY PROVIDE A STIPEND TO AT LEAST
ONE PERSON, WHO MAY BE AN EMPLOYEE OF THE COLLEGE OR AN UNDERGRADUATE OR
GRADUATE LEVEL STUDENT OF ANY COLLEGE WHO IS COMPLETING AN INTERNSHIP AS
PART OF OBTAINING A DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK OR A RELATED FIELD, TO ACT AS
A CAMPUS CONTACT PERSON FOR CURRENT AND INCOMING STUDENTS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
7. THE CAMPUS CONTACT PERSON SHALL:
(A) INSTITUTE BEST PRACTICES TO IDENTIFY CURRENT AND INCOMING STUDENTS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING:
(I) POSTING FLYERS, POSTERS, AND OTHER WRITTEN MATERIALS ABOUT THE
RIGHTS OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS USING UNDERSTANDABLE AND
CULTURALLY COMPETENT LANGUAGE, IN LOCATIONS ON CAMPUS AND IN THE COMMU-
NITY WHERE STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ARE LIKELY TO SEE THEM;
(II) POSTING, USING UNDERSTANDABLE AND CULTURALLY COMPETENT INFORMA-
TION, ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ON COLLEGE
WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA;
(III) COLLABORATING WITH STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
PROVIDING FOOD, HOUSING, OR OTHER SERVICES ON CAMPUS AND IN THE COMMUNI-
TY; AND
(IV) SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS AND THE PROCESS TO REFER STUDENTS WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS TO THE CAMPUS CONTACT WITH PROFESSORS AND OTHER CAMPUS
STAFF;
(B) PROVIDE STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH INFORMATION
REGARDING THEIR FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY, INCLUDING
THEIR ELIGIBILITY AS INDEPENDENT STUDENTS UNDER SECTION 1087VV OF THE
FEDERAL HIGHER EDUCATION ACT, AND ASSISTANCE TO SUCH STUDENTS TO ENSURE
THEY ARE ABLE TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID
AND ALL AVAILABLE ON AND OFF CAMPUS SERVICES FOR WHICH THEY ARE ELIGI-
BLE;
(C) PROVIDE STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH INFORMATION
REGARDING SUPPORT SERVICES, HEALTH SERVICES, HOUSING RESOURCES OFFERED
BY THE COLLEGE AND EXTERNAL HOUSING RESOURCES, HOUSING NAVIGATION
SERVICES AND EXISTING HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS OR LOW-INCOME INDI-
VIDUALS OR FAMILIES, MEAL PLAN AND FOOD PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE, COUN-
SELING SERVICES, ACADEMIC SUPPORTS, AND OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE
STUDENTS AT THE COLLEGE;
(D) PARTICIPATE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY THE LIAISON OFFICER; AND
(E) CONTACT LIAISONS DESIGNATED UNDER 42 U.S.C. SECTION
11432(G)(1)(J)(II) AS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS
FROM SECONDARY TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
§ 6362. ACCESS TO HOUSING FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. EACH
COLLEGE SHALL:
1. PRIORITIZE STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FOR ACCESS TO EXIST-
ING HOUSING RESOURCES OFFERED BY THE COLLEGE, AS NEEDED, DURING AND
BETWEEN ACADEMIC TERMS, INCLUDING GRANTING THEM FIRST PRIORITY FOR HOUS-
ING FACILITIES THAT REMAIN OPEN FOR OCCUPATION DURING THE MOST DAYS IN A
CALENDAR YEAR; AND
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2. DEVELOP A PLAN TO CONNECT STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH
EXTERNAL HOUSING RESOURCES WHEN EXISTING HOUSING RESOURCES OFFERED BY
THE COLLEGE ARE NOT AVAILABLE, INCLUDING THROUGH WORKING WITH EXISTING
HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS OR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES.
§ 6363. PRIORITY ENROLLMENT. EACH COLLEGE THAT ADMINISTERS A PRIORITY
ENROLLMENT SYSTEM SHALL GRANT PRIORITY IN THAT SYSTEM FOR ENROLLMENT IN
CLASSES TO STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
§ 6364. ASSISTANCE WITH COLLEGE FEES FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOME-
LESSNESS. FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, EACH COLLEGE SHALL:
1. WAIVE ADMINISTRATIVE FEES AND FEES BASED ON ENROLLMENT, INCLUDING
HEALTH AND WELLNESS, STUDENT ACTIVITY, CONSOLIDATED SERVICES, AND TECH-
NOLOGY FEES, THAT ARE NOT FULLY COVERED BY A STUDENT'S FINANCIAL AID
PACKAGE; AND
2. DEFER THE PAYMENT OF ANY FEE OR DEPOSIT, INCLUDING HOUSING FEES AND
DEPOSITS, THAT ARE COVERED BY A STUDENT'S FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE UNTIL
THE COLLEGE RECEIVES THE AID, SUCH THAT STUDENTS SHALL NOT INCUR LATE
FEES ON PAYMENTS DELAYED WHILE AWAITING DISBURSEMENT OF FINANCIAL AID.
§ 6365. PILOT PROGRAM TO INCREASE ENROLLMENT, ATTENDANCE, AND SUCCESS
IN COLLEGE. 1. THE DEPARTMENT, WHEN MONIES THEREFORE HAVE BEEN APPROPRI-
ATED BY THE LEGISLATURE OR ARE OTHERWISE AVAILABLE, IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED
TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM TO INCREASE THE ENROLLMENT, ATTENDANCE, AND
SUCCESS IN COLLEGE OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. CAMPUSES OF
THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AND OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR GRANTS THROUGH THE PILOT PROGRAM AND
SHALL ACCOMMODATE UP TO FIVE HUNDRED STUDENTS. APPLICATIONS AND PROPOSED
ACTIVITIES SHALL BE COORDINATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY LIAISON OFFICER AND
THE CAMPUS CONTACT PERSON DESIGNATED PURSUANT TO SECTION SIXTY-THREE
HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE OF THIS ARTICLE. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL EVALUATE APPLI-
CATIONS AND AWARD FUNDS BASED ON QUALITY, NEED, AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE
ELEMENTS OUTLINED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
2. APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS:
(A) STAFFING WITH SUFFICIENT CAPACITY AND AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT ALL
THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES;
(B) COORDINATION WITH THE LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HOME-
LESS SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE HOUSING, SHELTER, OR SERVICES FOR HOMELESS OR
LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES;
(C) HOUSING NAVIGATION SERVICES TO ASSIST STUDENTS TO FIND FUNDING FOR
HOUSING RESOURCES OFFERED BY THE COLLEGE AND EXTERNAL HOUSING RESOURCES,
INCLUDING WORKING WITH EXISTING HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS OR LOW-IN-
COME INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES;
(D) OUTREACH TO AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE PARENTS, INCLUDING
HOUSING SERVICES;
(E) COLLABORATION WITH STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS, OR
STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND SUPPORT STUDENTS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS;
(F) PLANS TO IMPLEMENT A QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ALL ENROLLING STUDENTS THAT
WILL HELP DETERMINE WHETHER ENROLLING STUDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING HOME-
LESSNESS;
(G) DESIGNATED FUNDING FOR HOUSING, SUCH AS TEMPORARY DORMITORY ROOMS
WHILE HOUSING NAVIGATION SERVICES TAKE PLACE, HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY,
HOST HOMES, HOUSING DURING ACADEMIC BREAKS, AND FEES ASSOCIATED WITH
HOUSING, INCLUDING APPLICATION FEES AND MOVE-IN STIPENDS FOR FURNITURE
AND SUPPLIES; AND
(H) FINANCIAL LITERACY, SOFT SKILLS, AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING,
PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT OR IN COLLABORATION WITH A COMMUNITY AGENCY.
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3. APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
(A) PLANS TO INCORPORATE AND APPROPRIATELY SUPERVISE GRADUATE-LEVEL
INTERNS, PARTICULARLY SOCIAL WORK INTERNS, TO UNDERTAKE APPROPRIATE
ACTIVITIES;
(B) PLANS TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH LANDLORDS AND INCENTIVES TO
HOUSE COLLEGE STUDENTS, INCLUDING IN COLLABORATION WITH EXISTING HOUSING
PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS OR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES; AND
(C) VOLUNTARY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOMELESSNESS ON COLLEGE APPLICATION
FORMS.
4. APPLICANTS SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT OF DATA REGARDING THE
ACCESS TO PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PROVIDED TO STUDENTS IN THE PILOT
PROGRAM THAT ARE NECESSARY TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS, INCLUDING FOOD,
HOUSING, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE, AND RELATED SERVICES.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.