S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  5110

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            February 12, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. GOODELL -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Social Services

AN ACT to amend the  social  services  law,  in  relation  to  requiring
  participation in educational programs leading to a high school diploma
  or high school equivalency diploma for those seeking public assistance

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Purpose.   The legislature hereby finds  that  obtaining  a
high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma is often essen-
tial  for  successful  private  sector employment and personal financial
independence, self-sufficiency, and success.  Indeed,  many  occupations
require  a  high  school diploma or high school equivalency diploma as a
precondition for employment. Individuals without a high  school  diploma
or  high  school  equivalency  diploma are often relegated to low paying
jobs, and suffer much higher unemployment rates than those with  a  high
school  diploma  or  high school equivalency diploma. It is therefore in
the public interest to require individuals who are capable of  obtaining
a  high  school diploma or high school equivalency diploma to be engaged
in good faith efforts to obtain that objective.
  S 2. Section 131 of the social services law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 21 to read as follows:
  21. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER OR OTHER LAW TO THE
CONTRARY, NO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SHALL BE GIVEN TO OR FOR ANY PERSON  OVER
FIVE  YEARS OF AGE OR UNDER THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE WHO DOES NOT HAVE A
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR A HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA OR IS NOT  DULY
ENROLLED AND PARTICIPATING IN GOOD FAITH TOWARD THE ATTAINMENT OF A HIGH
SCHOOL  DIPLOMA OR A HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA, UNLESS SUCH PERSON
HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY A  MEDICAL,  PSYCHIATRIC,  OR  OTHER  APPROPRIATE
PROFESSIONAL  TO  LACK  THE  REQUISITE CAPACITY TO COMPLETE SUCCESSFULLY
SUCH A COURSE OF STUDY OR THE LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT  DETERMINES
THAT  SUCH A COURSE OF STUDY IS NOT PRACTICAL OR COST-EFFECTIVE BASED ON

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD08973-01-5
              

A. 5110                             2

THE  PERSON'S  EMPLOYMENT  BACKGROUND  OR  EXPERIENCE,   JOB   TRAINING,
POSSESSION OF A CAREER DEVELOPMENT OCCUPATIONAL STUDIES CREDENTIAL, WORK
SKILLS,  HEALTH, DISABILITY, THE LACK OF AVAILABLE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS,
OR OTHER FACTORS.
  S  3.  The  commissioner  of  the  office  of temporary and disability
assistance shall have the authority to promulgate  or  amend  any  regu-
lations necessary for the implementation of this act.
  S 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law.