S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
10300
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 20, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SEAWRIGHT -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Children and Families
AN ACT directing the office of children and family services to conduct a
statewide needs assessment on unmet needs of kinship caregivers; 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. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the office
of children and family services shall conduct a statewide needs assess-
ment to identify any unmet needs, including, but not limited to, hous-
ing, mental health access, financial assistance, childcare, and respite
care access for kinship caregivers. Such office shall further determine
if needs are being met throughout the state; suggest necessary improve-
ment areas and why certain areas need such improvement.
2. Upon request, every state and local agency shall cooperate with the
office of children and family services. For the accomplishment of its
purposes, the council may meet and hold public and/or private hearings
within or without the state, and shall have all the powers of a legisla-
tive committee pursuant to the legislative law. The council is author-
ized and empowered to undertake any studies, inquiries, surveys or
analyses it may deem relevant through its own personnel or in cooper-
ation with or by agreement with any other public or private agency.
§ 2. The office of children and family services shall publish a report
containing the findings of such needs assessment and methods for
improvement. Such report shall be delivered to the governor, the tempo-
rary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly no later
than two years after the effective date of this act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
deemed repealed two years after such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14539-02-6
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