S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9883
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 15, 2018
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. GIGLIO -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on Social Services
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend  the social services law, in relation to allowing for
   three forty-five day extensions of necessary and  available  emergency
   shelter for victims of domestic violence
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Section 459-b of the social services  law,  as  amended  by
 chapter 7 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
   §  459-b.  Residential  services  for victims of domestic violence. In
 accordance with section one hundred thirty-one-u of this chapter and the
 regulations of the office of children  and  family  services,  a  social
 services  district shall offer and provide necessary and available emer-
 gency shelter and services for  up  to  ninety  days  at  a  residential
 program  for  victims  of  domestic  violence  to  a  victim of domestic
 violence who was residing in the social services district at the time of
 the alleged domestic violence whether or not such victim is eligible for
 public assistance. [Two] THREE forty-five day  extensions  of  necessary
 and available emergency shelter may be granted beyond the maximum length
 of  stay  at  a residential program for victims of domestic violence for
 residents who continue to be in need of emergency services and temporary
 shelter. If the victim of domestic violence has a service animal as such
 term is defined in section one hundred twenty-three-b of the agriculture
 and markets law, or therapy dog as such term is defined in  section  one
 hundred  eight  of  the  agriculture and markets law, respectively, such
 service animal or therapy dog shall be allowed to accompany  the  victim
 at  the residential program authorized pursuant to this section, so long
 as such accompaniment would not create an undue  burden  as  defined  by
 section two hundred ninety-six of the executive law.
   Where  such  accompaniment would constitute an undue burden, the resi-
 dential program shall make reasonable efforts to facilitate placement of
 such animal at an off-site animal care facility or if reasonable efforts
 fail, provide referral to one or more off-site animal  care  facilities.
 Such  off-site  animal care may include, but not be limited to, boarding
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
              

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14724-01-8

 A. 9883                             2
 
 at a veterinary hospital or under the auspices of  a  duly  incorporated
 humane  society,  or  duly  incorporated  animal  protection association
 approved for such purpose by the department of agriculture and markets.
   Nothing  in  this  section  shall  be construed to limit any rights or
 obligations provided pursuant to federal or state law, including but not
 limited to providing  reasonable  accommodations  for  individuals  with
 disabilities.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.