Provides that the state shall make reasonable efforts to obtain federal funding for child care expenses; prohibits limiting authorized child care services based on proof of immigration status; authorizes self-attestation as an approved form of verification of employment status and income.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4522
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 9, 2023
___________
Introduced by Sens. BRISPORT, CLEARE -- read twice and ordered printed,
and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Children and
Families
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to removing unnec-
essary barriers to child care subsidies for eligible children and
families
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 410 of the social services law, as
2 amended by chapter 694 of the laws of 2022, is amended to read as
3 follows:
4 1. A public welfare official of a county, city or town [is authorized]
5 shall, provided funds have been made available therefor[, to] and with
6 the state making all reasonable efforts to obtain federal funding and
7 supplementing such funding with additional state funding, provide day
8 care at public expense for children residing in his or her territory who
9 are eligible therefor pursuant to provisions of this title. Such care
10 [may] shall be provided [only in cases where it is determined,] under
11 criteria established by the office of children and family services[,
12 that there is a need and that such care is in the best interest of the
13 child and parent]; provided however that the public welfare official
14 shall not be required to limit authorized child care services strictly
15 based on the work, training, or educational schedule of the parents or
16 the number of hours the parents spend in work, training, or educational
17 activities; provided further, however, that the public welfare official
18 shall not limit authorized child care services based on proof of immi-
19 gration status. Where the family is able to pay part or all of the costs
20 of such care, payment of such fees as may be reasonable in the light of
21 such ability shall be required.
22 § 2. Section 410-w of the social services law is amended by adding a
23 new subdivision 11 to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07708-01-3
S. 4522 2
1 11. For purposes of determining employment status and income, local
2 social services districts shall accept self-attestation from parents or
3 guardians as an approved form of verification of employment status and
4 income.
5 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
6 if chapter 694 of the laws of 2022 shall not have taken effect on or
7 before such date then section one of this act shall take effect on the
8 same date and in the same manner as such chapter of the laws of 2022,
9 takes effect.
