NY State Senate Bill 2025-S6913

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Social Services Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Mar 26, 2025	referred to social services

2025-S6913 (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A7381
Current Committee:: Senate Social Services
Law Section:: Social Services Law
Laws Affected:: Add Art 9 §§467 - 467-d, Soc Serv L; amd §36.03, Ment Hyg L

2025-S6913 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes the 2-1-1 essential community services hotline system; designates the office of children and family services to oversee the hotline system; establishes the availability and scope of information to be provided by the hotline system and requirements of call centers; requires the office of children and family services to collect certain data relating to the hotline system and to make annual reports to the governor and the legislature.

2025-S6913 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6913

SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law and the mental hygiene law, in
relation to the 2-1-1 essential community services hotline system

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this legislation is to codify 2-1-1 community services
hotline system into law.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Creates a new article in social services law, titled the
2-1-1 Essential Community Services Hotline system.

Section 2: Creates a new Section 467 of the social services law, codify-
ing the 2-1-1 Essential Community Services Hotline system, operated by
2-1-1, New York. This section establishes definitions, as well as
responsibilities for the system, requiring 2-1-1 to be available twen-

ty-four hours a day, seven days a week to provide individuals and fami-
lies with community resource and referral services for issues such as
housing and food insecurity, health and behavioral health needs, child-
care and services during times of crisis, including a natural disaster
or other weather-related events.  2-1-1 call centers would be responsi-
ble for maintaining up to date databases of providers and services in
the community. Section 2 of the bill also requires the office of chil-
dren and family services (OCFS) in consultation with 2-1-1 New York to
compile a list of reportable metrics, which would subsequently be
reported to the Governor and Legislature, annually.

Section 3: Amends Section 36.03 of the mental hygiene law, requiring
9-8-8 call centers to coordinate with the 2-1-1 Essential Community
Services hotline system when appropriate.

Section 4: Establishes the effective date, which is 120 days after the
bill becomes law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated 2-1-1 as
the three digit number for individuals and families, outside of the city
of New York, to use when in need of resource and referral services
related to health, behavioral health and human service needs. In 2010,
the Public Service Commission designated 2-1-1 New York to oversee the
development and operation of the 2-1-1 statewide referral system here in
New York. Since then, 2-1-1 New York has been responsible for connecting
millions of New Yorkers across the State with vital resource and refer-
ral services. New Yorkers can turn to 2-1-1 at any time, even after
state offices have closed or during a crisis, including during a natural
disaster or other weather-related events.

In addition to providing after-hour services, in many communities, 2-1-1
contracts directly with the local social services district to operate on
their behalf, acting as the first point of contact to provide homeless
and adult protective service information and referrals.

Additionally, 2-1-1 is a vital resource during natural disasters,
including weather related events, and helps the State coordinate their
emergency responses as a member of the New York State Disaster Prepared-
ness Commission. During the major snowstorms of 2025, the Governor
promptly featured 2-1-1 in all her press releases as the number to
contact for anyone seeking non-emergency services.

Despite the vital role that 2-1-1 New York plays, the Executive Budget
has continued to exclude funding, forcing United Way and 2-1-1 to advo-
cate for inclusion in the Legislative One House Budgets year after year.
This legislation would codify the 2-1-1 Essential Community Services
Hotline system in statute, highlighting its role as an essential state
service, with the ultimate goal of inclusion in the Executive Budget,
ensuring 2-1-1's ability to continue to operate on behalf of all New
Yorkers.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

This 2-1-1 essential community services hotline system will operate with
a state appropriation.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall become a law.

2025-S6913 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6913
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              March 26, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sen. HARCKHAM -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Social Services
 
 AN ACT to amend the social services law and the mental hygiene  law,  in
   relation to the 2-1-1 essential community services hotline system
 
   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  article
 9 to read as follows:
 
                                 ARTICLE 9
             2-1-1 ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES HOTLINE SYSTEM
 
   SECTION 467. DEFINITIONS.
           467-A. OVERSIGHT  OF  THE  2-1-1  ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES
                    HOTLINE SYSTEM.
           467-B. AVAILABILITY AND SCOPE OF INFORMATION.
           467-C. RESPONSIBILITIES OF 2-1-1 CALL CENTERS.
           467-D. REPORTING.
   § 467. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE:
   1. "2-1-1 ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY  SERVICES  HOTLINE  SYSTEM"  OR  "2-1-1"
 MEANS  THE  THREE  DIGIT PHONE NUMBER DESIGNATED BY THE FEDERAL COMMUNI-
 CATIONS COMMISSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONNECTING INDIVIDUALS  AND  FAMI-
 LIES WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCE AND REFERRAL SERVICES.
   2. "2-1-1 CALL CENTER" MEANS A CENTER RECEIVING CALLS FROM 2-1-1 OPER-
 ATED  BY  2-1-1 NEW YORK, THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DESIGNATED FOR
 SUCH PURPOSE BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IN TWO THOUSAND TEN.
   3. "COMMUNITY RESOURCE SPECIALIST" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYED  BY  A
 2-1-1  CALL  CENTER,  WHO  HAS TRAINED IN QUALITY INDICATORS FOR PROFES-
 SIONAL INFORMATION AND REFERRALS  AND  RECEIVED  AN  ACCREDITATION  FROM
 INFORM  USA,  OR  ITS SUCCESSOR ORGANIZATION, TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH
 HELP  FINDING  COMMUNITY  RESOURCES  AND  OTHER  SERVICE-RELATED  NEEDS,

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10867-01-5

 S. 6913                             2
 
 INCLUDING  DURING  TIMES OF CRISIS, A NATURAL DISASTER OR OTHER WEATHER-
 RELATED EVENTS.
   §  467-A.  OVERSIGHT OF THE 2-1-1 ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES HOTLINE
 SYSTEM. THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES SHALL HAVE  OVERSIGHT
 OF  THE  2-1-1  ESSENTIAL  COMMUNITY  SERVICES  HOTLINE SYSTEM AND SHALL
 DESIGNATE 2-1-1 NEW YORK, THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DESIGNATED  BY
 THE  PUBLIC  SERVICE  COMMISSION  IN  TWO  THOUSAND TEN, TO OPERATE SUCH
 HOTLINE SYSTEM, WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED.
   § 467-B. AVAILABILITY AND SCOPE OF  INFORMATION.  1.  2-1-1  SHALL  BE
 AVAILABLE  STATEWIDE,  TWENTY-FOUR  HOURS  A  DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND
 SHALL PROVIDE A LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE LINE TO ASSIST LIMITED AND NON-ENGL-
 ISH LANGUAGE SPEAKERS.
   2. COMMUNITY RESOURCE SPECIALISTS SHALL PROVIDE COMMUNITY RESOURCE AND
 REFERRAL INFORMATION FOR AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING SERVICES, AS NEEDED:
   A. BASIC HUMAN NEEDS, SUCH AS FOOD AND CLOTHING BANKS, TEMPORARY HOUS-
 ING ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE, RENT AND UTILITY
 ASSISTANCE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE  PROGRAM  (SNAP),  THE
 SPECIAL  SUPPLEMENTAL  NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN
 (WIC) AND OTHER PUBLIC BENEFIT PROGRAMS;
   B. PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES, SUCH AS HEALTH  INSURANCE
 PROGRAMS  INCLUDING,  BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MEDICAID, MEDICARE, THE ESSEN-
 TIAL PLAN AND CHILD HEALTH PLUS, MATERNAL HEALTH  RESOURCES,  BEHAVIORAL
 HEALTH  SERVICES,  CRISIS  INTERVENTION  SERVICES  AND,  IF APPROPRIATE,
 TRANSFERRING INDIVIDUALS TO THE 9-8-8 SUICIDE PREVENTION AND  BEHAVIORAL
 HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE OR THE 9-1-1 EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM;
   C. WORK SUPPORT, SUCH AS JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS OR EDUCATION AND LITER-
 ACY ASSISTANCE, TAX PREPARATION, AND TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS;
   D.  CHILDREN,  YOUTH  AND FAMILY SUPPORT, INCLUDING CHILD CARE, AFTER-
 SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SUMMER CAMPS, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS, MENTORING AND
 CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES;
   E. SUPPORT FOR OLDER ADULTS AND PERSONS WITH  DISABILITIES,  INCLUDING
 COMMUNITY  AND MEDICALLY TAILORED MEALS, RESPITE CARE, HOME HEALTH CARE,
 TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES; AND
   F. ACCESS SERVICES FOR  LIMITED  AND  NON-ENGLISH  SPEAKERS,  SUCH  AS
 TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES.
   §  467-C.  RESPONSIBILITIES  OF 2-1-1 CALL CENTERS. 2-1-1 CALL CENTERS
 SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:
   1. MAINTAINING AN UP-TO-DATE DATABASE OF PROVIDERS AND SERVICES AVAIL-
 ABLE IN THE COMMUNITY, THAT IS VALIDATED  ANNUALLY  TO  ENSURE  ACCURATE
 INFORMATION;
   2.  ENSURING  INDIVIDUALS  CAN ACCESS 2-1-1 THROUGH VARIOUS PLATFORMS,
 INCLUDING VIA TELEPHONE, TEXT OR THE INTERNET; AND
   3. ACCEPTING CALLS  FROM  AND  COORDINATING  WITH  THE  9-8-8  SUICIDE
 PREVENTION  AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE AND THE 9-1-1 EMERGENCY
 RESPONSE SYSTEM, AS APPROPRIATE.
   § 467-D. REPORTING. 1. THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,  IN
 CONSULTATION  WITH  2-1-1 NEW YORK, SHALL ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE LIST
 OF REPORTING METRICS REGARDING THE USE OF 2-1-1,  WHICH  SHALL  INCLUDE,
 BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   A.  THE  TOTAL NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE STATEWIDE, AS WELL AS
 BY REGION, THAT 2-1-1 CALL CENTERS RECEIVE ANNUALLY;
   B. THE CATEGORIES OF SERVICES AND REFERRALS THAT  ARE  REQUESTED  EACH
 YEAR; AND
   C.  THE  AVERAGE  LENGTH  OF TIME TAKEN TO RESPOND TO EACH REQUEST FOR
 ASSISTANCE AND THE AGGREGATE NUMBER OF CALL ABANDONMENTS FOR THE YEAR.
 S. 6913                             3
 
   2. THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES SHALL COMPILE AN  ANNUAL
 REPORT ON THE DATA COLLECTED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION
 AND SHALL SUBMIT SUCH REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF
 THE  SENATE,  THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE ASSEMBLY, THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE
 SENATE,  AND THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY, ANNUALLY, BEGINNING NO
 LATER THAN APRIL FIRST, NEXT  SUCCEEDING  THE  EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS
 SECTION.
   §  2.  Paragraph  5  of subdivision (c) of section 36.03 of the mental
 hygiene law, as added by section 2 of part EE of chapter 57 of the  laws
 of 2022, is amended to read as follows:
   (5)  A designated hotline center shall ensure coordination between the
 9-8-8 crisis hotline centers, 9-1-1, behavioral health crisis  services,
 THE  2-1-1 ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES HOTLINE SYSTEM, and, when appro-
 priate, other specialty behavioral health warm lines  and  hotlines  and
 other  emergency  services.  If  a  law  enforcement,  medical,  or fire
 response is also needed, 9-8-8 and 9-1-1 operators shall coordinate  the
 simultaneous deployment of those services with mobile crisis services.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
 it shall have become a law.

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Senate Bill S6913

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Social Services Committee

Actions

2025-S6913 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S6913 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S6913 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S6913 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Sponsored By

Pete Harckham

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Social Services Committee

Actions

2025-S6913 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S6913 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S6913 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S6913 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments