A00547 Summary:

BILL NO    A00547 

SAME AS    No same as

SPONSOR    Jacobs (MS)

COSPNSR    Ortiz, Clark, Colton, Lopez V, Greene

MLTSPNSR   Alfano, Brennan, Cymbrowitz, Gantt, Glick, Gottfried, Hikind, Rivera
           P, Robinson, Sweeney, Towns, Weisenberg, Wright

Add S140, Soc Serv L

Enacts the access for new Americans act; directs the office of temporary and
disability assistance to implement an access for new Americans program;
describes such program as including, civic and English classes, assistance with
immigration requirements and related legal services, language translation
services, employment referrals, and other related services; and provides such
program shall be funded through grants distributed by the office of temporary
and disability assistance as appropriated to such office for such program.

A00547 Actions:

BILL NO    A00547 

01/07/2009 referred to social services
01/06/2010 referred to social services

A00547 Votes:

A00547 Memo:

 BILL NUMBER:  A547

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the social services law, in relation
to enacting the access for new Americans act

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL : This bill would allow the Office of
Temporary Disability Assistance to administer funds directly to
community based organizations for the purpose of providing services to
immigrants and new Americans including but not limited to
pre-citizenship and citizenship services, English classes, legal
services, and employment services.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS : This bill would add a new section
140 to the social services law.

 JUSTIFICATION : As the immigrant community continues to grow in New
York State, services are required in order for them to become better
adjusted in our country. Relatively simple issues such as how to apply
for citizenship or how to get legal assistance can become daunting
tasks for one who is new to our state and our nation.

Within the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA) exists the
Bureau of Refugee and Immigration Affairs (BRIA). BRIA's mission is to
direct resources to assist refugees and their families in achieving
economic and social self-sufficiency and to aid other legal immigrants
with their transition to life in the United States.

While the services provided by OTDA and BRIA are successful in their
family based approach, much more can be done. Currently, almost half
of the funds allocated for these programs and services are being spent
administratively and not for the intended purpose of immigrant and new
American assistance. Community based organizations on the front lines
of providing these services know how to implement effective programs
and how to best carry out services immigrants and new Americans desire
and need.

This legislation would authorize, on a more wide scale level, OTDA and
BRIA to allocate funds to specific community based organizations in
order to assist them in their efforts to help immigrants and new
Americans integrate successfully. As provided for in this legislation,
a steady stream of funding through the state budget for these services
will allow the state to better assist community based organizations
with the vital programs and services they provide.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2007-2008 - referred to Social Services 2005-2006 - referred to Social
Services
2003-2004 - referred to Social Services

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS : Subject to state budget appropriations.

 EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
has become law.