NY State Senate Bill 2021-S3593A

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
May 31, 2022	print number 3593c
May 31, 2022	amend and recommit to social services
May 30, 2022	print number 3593b
May 30, 2022	amend (t) and recommit to social services
Jan 05, 2022	referred to social services
May 03, 2021	print number 3593a
May 03, 2021	amend (t) and recommit to social services
Jan 30, 2021	referred to social services

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2021-S3593 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8552
Current Committee:: Senate Social Services
Law Section:: Social Services Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§17 & 153, Soc Serv L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2019-2020: S9030
2023-2024: S4561, A5649

2021-S3593 - Summary

Provides "WiFi service" internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; provides that one hundred percent of the cost for the expense incurred for local social services districts to provide such internet access shall be reimbursed by the state; relates to the ConnectAll digital equity grant program.

2021-S3593 - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S3593

SPONSOR: BIAGGI
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to providing inter-
net access to all individuals receiving temporary housing assistance

 
PURPOSE::

To ensure that all individuals receiving temporary housing assistance
have access to the internet.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::

Section 1 amends section 17 of the social services law by adding a new
subdivision 1 to require local social services districts to provide
internet access to all individuals receiving temporary housing assist-
ance in their district.

Section 2 amends section 153 of the social service law to add a new

subdivision 13 to require the state to reimburse local social service
districts for 100% of the cost of providing internet access.

Section 3 sets forth the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION::

According to the New York City Department of Social Services, most of
the 450 homeless shelters in New York City do not provide wifi for resi-
dents.' In a 2019 survey of shelter residents by the City Bar Justice
Association, residents detailed their frustrations. Most were either
unable to access the internet regularly or had to spend their limited
resources on phone plans with data. For residents looking for a job or
housing, or trying to access city resources, being unable to access the
internet is costly. Residents reported that they lost out on jobs or had
to use limited funds to pay for Internet access instead of food or other
essential items.2

For the estimated 114,000 children who live in shelters in New York
City, being unable to access the internet has made remote learning inac-
cessible. There are countless accounts of students who received laptops
from the New York City Department of Education, but had no access to
wifi. In some cases, students received wifi enabled devices, but still
could not access the Internet for school because of spotty cell recep-
tion in their shelter.3

This legislation would require all local social service districts to
provide internet access for all individuals receiving temporary housing
assistance in their district. That includes, but is not limited to,
family shelters, shelters for adults, domestic violence shelters, runa-
way and homeless youth shelters, and safe houses for refugees. 100% of
the cost will be reimbursed by the State. Local Social Service Districts
will have 30 days to submit their plan to provide internet access to the
State for oversight and approval within 30 days of the effective date.
Shelters must implement and comply with such plans within 18 months of
approval.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
2020: S9030/A11108 - Died in Rules/Died in Social Services

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON TILE STATE:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE::

This act shall take effect after 30 days.

*1 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/nyregion/new-york-homeless-
studentscoronavirus.html

*2 https://www.citybarjusticecenterom/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/
HomelessNeed-Internet-Access-toFind-a-Home-2020-Report.pdf

*3 For example:

https://citylimits.orq/2020/03/27/online-learning-means- newbarriers-
for-nycs-homelessstudents/;

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/nyregion/new-york-homeless- student-
scoronavirus.html

2021-S3593 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   3593
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 30, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  BIAGGI -- 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, in relation to providing inter-
   net access to all individuals receiving temporary housing assistance
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1. Section 17 of the social services law is amended by adding
 a new subdivision (m) to read as follows:
   (M) REQUIRE THAT EACH LOCAL SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT  SHALL  PROVIDE
 INTERNET  ACCESS  TO ALL INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSIST-
 ANCE IN SUCH DISTRICT. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, TEMPORARY HOUS-
 ING ASSISTANCE SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, A FAMILY SHELTER,  A
 SHELTER  FOR ADULTS, A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER, A RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS
 YOUTH SHELTER, OR A SAFE HOUSE FOR REFUGEES. EACH LOCAL SOCIAL  SERVICES
 DISTRICT  SHALL SUBMIT THEIR PLAN TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS PURSUANT TO
 THIS SUBDIVISION TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR  OVERSIGHT  AND  APPROVAL  WITHIN
 THIRTY  DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT. SHELTERS SHALL IMPLEMENT
 AND COMPLY WITH SUCH PLANS WITHIN EIGHTEEN MONTHS OF SUCH APPROVAL.
   § 2. Section 153 of the social services law is amended by adding a new
 subdivision 13 to read as follows:
   13. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO  THE  CONTRARY,  ONE
 HUNDRED  PERCENT  OF  THE COST FOR THE EXPENSE INCURRED FOR LOCAL SOCIAL
 SERVICES DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS AS REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION
 (M) OF SECTION SEVENTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER  SHALL  BE  REIMBURSED  BY  THE
 STATE.
   §  3.  This  act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary  for  the  implementation  of
 this  act  on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
 on or before such effective date.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD01779-02-1

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2021-S3593A - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8552
Current Committee:: Senate Social Services
Law Section:: Social Services Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§17 & 153, Soc Serv L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2019-2020: S9030
2023-2024: S4561, A5649

2021-S3593A - Summary

Provides "WiFi service" internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; provides that one hundred percent of the cost for the expense incurred for local social services districts to provide such internet access shall be reimbursed by the state; relates to the ConnectAll digital equity grant program.

2021-S3593A - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S3593A

SPONSOR: BIAGGI
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to providing inter-
net access to all individuals residing in temporary housing

 
PURPOSE:

To ensure that all individuals receiving temporary housing assistance
have access to the internet.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends section 17 of the social services law by adding a new
subdivision 1 to require local social services districts to provide
Internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing in
their district.

Section 2 amends section 153 of the social service law to add a new
subdivision 13 to require the state to reimburse local social service

districts for 100% of the cost of providing internet access.

Section 3 sets forth the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

According to the New York City Department of Social Services, most of
the 450 homeless shelters in New York City do not provide wifi for resi-
dents.' In a 2019 survey of shelter residents by the City Bar Justice
Association, residents detailed their frustrations. Most were either
unable to access the Internet regularly or had to spend their limited
resources on phone plans with data. For residents looking for a job or
housing, or trying to access city resources, being unable to access the
Internet is costly. Residents reported that they lost out on jobs or had
to use limited funds to pay for internet access instead of food or other
essential items.(2)

For the estimated 114,000 children who live in shelters in New York
City, being unable to access the internet has made remote learning inac-
cessible.

There are countless accounts of students who received laptops from the
New York City Department of Education, but had no access to wifi. In
some cases, students received wifi enabled devices, but still could not
access the internet for school because of spotty cell reception in their
shelter.(3)

This legislation would require all local social service districts to
provide internet access for all individuals residing in temporary hous-
ing in their district. That includes, but is not limited to, family
shelters, shelters for adults, domestic violence shelters, runaway and
homeless youth shelters, and safe houses for refugees.  100% of the cost
will be reimbursed by the State. Local Social Service Districts will
have 30 days to submit their plan to provide internet access to the
State for oversight and approval within 30 days of the effective date.
Shelters must implement and comply with such plans within 18 months of
approval.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2020: S9030/A11108 - Died in Rules/Died in Social Services

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON TILE STATE:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect after 30 days.
*1https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/nyregion/new-york-homeless-
studentscoronavirus.html
*2https://www.citybarjusticecenterom/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/
HomelessNeed-Internet-Access-toFind-a-Home-2020-Report.pdf
*3 For example: https://citylimits.org/2020/03/27/online-learning
-means-new-barriers-for-nycs-homelessstudents/;
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/nyregion/new-york-homeless- student-
scoronavirus.html

2021-S3593A - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  3593--A
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 30, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sens.  BIAGGI,  BRISPORT,  GIANARIS,  HARCKHAM, JACKSON,
   KAMINSKY, KENNEDY, MYRIE, RIVERA, SALAZAR, SANDERS -- read  twice  and
   ordered  printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on
   Social  Services  --  committee  discharged,  bill  amended,   ordered
   reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

 AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to providing inter-
   net access to all individuals residing in temporary housing
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Section 17 of the social services law is amended by  adding
 a new subdivision (m) to read as follows:
   (M)  REQUIRE  THAT  EACH  LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT SHALL PROVIDE
 INTERNET ACCESS TO ALL INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING IN SUCH
 DISTRICT. FOR PURPOSES OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION,  TEMPORARY  HOUSING  SHALL
 INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, A FAMILY SHELTER, A SHELTER FOR ADULTS, A
 DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE  SHELTER,  A RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH SHELTER, OR A
 SAFE HOUSE FOR REFUGEES.  EACH  LOCAL  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT  SHALL
 SUBMIT  THEIR  PLAN TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVI-
 SION TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR OVERSIGHT AND APPROVAL WITHIN THIRTY DAYS  OF
 THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT. SHELTERS SHALL IMPLEMENT AND COMPLY WITH
 SUCH PLANS WITHIN EIGHTEEN MONTHS OF SUCH APPROVAL.
   § 2. Section 153 of the social services law is amended by adding a new
 subdivision 13 to read as follows:
   13.  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, ONE
 HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE COST FOR THE EXPENSE INCURRED  FOR  LOCAL  SOCIAL
 SERVICES DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS AS REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION
 (M)  OF  SECTION  SEVENTEEN  OF  THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY THE
 STATE.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day  after  it  shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 repeal  of  any  rule  or regulation necessary for the implementation of
 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made  and  completed
 on or before such effective date.

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD01779-03-1

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2021-S3593B - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8552
Current Committee:: Senate Social Services
Law Section:: Social Services Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§17 & 153, Soc Serv L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2019-2020: S9030
2023-2024: S4561, A5649

2021-S3593B - Summary

Provides "WiFi service" internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; provides that one hundred percent of the cost for the expense incurred for local social services districts to provide such internet access shall be reimbursed by the state; relates to the ConnectAll digital equity grant program.

2021-S3593B - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S3593B

SPONSOR: BIAGGI
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to providing inter-
net access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; and to
amend the New York state urban development corporation act, in relation
to the ConnectAll  digital  equity grant program

 
PURPOSE:

To ensure that all individuals receiving temporary housing assistance
have access to the internet.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends section 17 of the social services law as relettered by
adding a new subdivision 1 to require temporary housing facilities to
provide internet access to all residents. Shelters must provide wireless
internet service in all common and private areas and have sufficient
strength to be used simultaneously by all residents.

Section 2 amends section 153 of the social service law to add a new
subdivision 13 to require the state to reimburse temporary housing
facilities for 100% of the cost of providing internet access.

Section 3 amends subdivision 10 of section 16-gg of chapter 174 of the
laws of 1968, as amended by section 2 part MM of chapter 58 of the laws
of 20222, to include funding Internet access in temporary housing facil-
ities to the duties of the Connect All program.

Section 4 sets forth the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

According to the New York City Department of Social Services, most of
the 450 homeless shelters in New York City do not provide wifi for resi-
dents.(1) In a 2019 survey of shelter residents by the City Bar Justice
Association, residents detailed their frustrations. Most were either
unable to access the internet regularly or had to spend their limited
resources on phone plans with data. For residents looking for a job or
housing, or trying to access city resources, being unable to access the
internet is costly.  Residents reported that they lost out on jobs or
had to use limited funds to pay for internet access instead of food or
other essential items.(2)

For the estimated 114,000 children who live in shelters in New York
City, being unable to access the Internet has made remote learning inac-
cessible. There are countless accounts of students who received laptops
from the New York City Department of Education, but had no access to
wifi. In some cases, students received wifi enabled devices, but still
could not access the internet for school because of spotty cell recep-
tion in their shelter.(3)

This legislation would require all temporary housing facilities to
provide internet access for all individuals residing in temporary hous-
ing in their district. That includes, but is not limited to, family
shelters, shelters for adults, domestic violence shelters, runaway and
homeless youth shelters, and safe houses for refugees.  100% of the cost
will be reimbursed by the State.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2020: S9030/A11108 - Died in Rules/Died in Social Services

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON TILE STATE:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
*1 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/ nyregion/new-york-homeless-
studentsc oronavirus.html
*2 https://www.citybarjusticecenterom/wp-
content/uploads/2020/05/HomelessNeed-Internet-
Access-toFind-a-Home-2020-Report.pdf
*3 For example:
https://citylimits.orq/2020/03/27/online-learning-means-ne barriers-for-
nycs-homelessstudents/; https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/
nyregion/new-york-homeless-students coronavirus.html

2021-S3593B - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  3593--B
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 30, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced   by   Sens.  BIAGGI,  BAILEY,  BRISPORT,  CLEARE,  GIANARIS,
   GOUNARDES, HARCKHAM, HINCHEY,  HOYLMAN,  JACKSON,  KAMINSKY,  KENNEDY,
   MYRIE,  RAMOS,  RIVERA,  SALAZAR,  SANDERS, SEPULVEDA, SERRANO -- read
   twice and ordered printed, and when printed to  be  committed  to  the
   Committee  on  Social  Services -- committee discharged, bill amended,
   ordered reprinted as amended and  recommitted  to  said  committee  --
   committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
   recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to providing inter-
   net access to all individuals residing in temporary  housing;  and  to
   amend  the  New  York  state  urban  development  corporation  act, in
   relation to the ConnectAll  digital  equity grant program
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Subdivision (k) of section 17 of the social services law,
 as relettered by chapter 424 of the laws of 2017, is relettered subdivi-
 sion (l) and new subdivision (k) is added to read as follows:
   (K) REQUIRE THAT ALL TEMPORARY HOUSING FACILITIES SHALL PROVIDE  UNIN-
 TERRUPTED  ACCESS  TO  HIGH-SPEED  BROADBAND  INTERNET  SERVICE AND WIFI
 SERVICE TO ALL INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN SUCH TEMPORARY HOUSING.  THE WIFI
 SERVICE SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT ALL PRIVATE AND COMMON  AREAS
 ACCESSIBLE  TO  RESIDENTS.  SUCH WIFI SERVICE MUST BE ACCESSIBLE THROUGH
 PERSONAL DEVICES OF THE RESIDENTS.  THE  WIFI  SERVICE  SIGNAL  STRENGTH
 SHALL  BE  CONSISTENT  AND SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT SIMULTANEOUS USE BY ALL
 RESIDENTS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE TERM "HIGH-SPEED BROAD-
 BAND INTERNET SERVICE" MEANS INTERNET SERVICE WITH DOWNLOAD SPEEDS OF AT
 LEAST ONE GIGABIT PER SECOND  AND  UPLOAD  SPEEDS  OF  ONE  GIGABIT  PER
 SECOND,  OR  IF  SUCH  SPEEDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE THE MAXIMUM DOWNLOAD AND
 UPLOAD SPEEDS COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE WITHIN THE  LOCAL  SOCIAL  SERVICES
 DISTRICT,  UNLESS  A  PLAN  WITH  LOWER  SPEEDS IS DEEMED SUFFICIENT AND
 APPROVED BY THE DIVISION OF BROADBAND ACCESS OF THE NEW YORK STATE URBAN
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD01779-11-2

 S. 3593--B                          2
 
 DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND THE TERM "WIFI  SERVICE"  MEANS  ACCESS  TO
 HIGH-SPEED  BROADBAND INTERNET THROUGH WIRELESS ROUTER WHICH CONNECTS TO
 THE INTERNET BY WIRE OR CABLE.  FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, TEMPO-
 RARY  HOUSING  SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, SHELTERS FOR ADULTS,
 SHELTERS FOR ADULT FAMILIES, SMALL-CAPACITY SHELTERS, SHELTERS FOR FAMI-
 LIES WITH CHILDREN, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE  SHELTERS,  RUNAWAY  AND  HOMELESS
 YOUTH SHELTERS, SHELTERS IN HOTELS OR SHELTERS FOR REFUGEES. EACH TEMPO-
 RARY HOUSING FACILITY SHALL SUBMIT THEIR PLAN TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS
 PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SUBDIVISION  TO  THE  DEPARTMENT  FOR  OVERSIGHT AND
 APPROVAL WITHIN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS
 SUBDIVISION.  TEMPORARY  HOUSING  FACILITIES  SHALL IMPLEMENT AND COMPLY
 WITH SUCH PLANS WITHIN TWELVE MONTHS OF SUCH APPROVAL.
   (1) (I) A TEMPORARY HOUSING FACILITY SHALL NOT  USE,  DISCLOSE,  SELL,
 RETAIN,  OR  PERMIT  ACCESS  TO THE PERSONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO A
 PERSON RESIDING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING OBTAINED IN THE COURSE OF PROVIDING
 INTERNET ACCESS EXCEPT AS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SUCH ACCESS WITHOUT REGARD
 TO CONTENT, APPLICATION, SERVICE, OR USE OF A NON-HARMFUL DEVICE, OR  TO
 RESPOND  TO  A WARRANT ISSUED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION UNDER
 THE PROCEDURES DESCRIBED IN THE FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL  PROCEDURE  OR
 ARTICLE SIX HUNDRED NINETY OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW.
   (II)  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, PERSONAL INFORMATION SHALL
 MEAN INFORMATION THAT DIRECTLY OR  INDIRECTLY  IDENTIFIES,  RELATES  TO,
 DESCRIBES,  IS  CAPABLE OF BEING ASSOCIATED WITH, OR COULD REASONABLY BE
 LINKED TO A PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, OR PERSONAL DEVICE.  INFORMA-
 TION IS REASONABLY LINKABLE TO AN INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, OR PERSONAL DEVICE
 IF IT CAN BE USED ON ITS OWN OR IN  COMBINATION  WITH  OTHER  REASONABLY
 AVAILABLE  INFORMATION,  REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH OTHER INFORMATION IS
 HELD BY THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT OR TEMPORARY HOUSING  FACILITY,  TO
 IDENTIFY AN INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, OR A PERSONAL DEVICE.
   (2)  ANY  CONTRACT  OR  AGREEMENT  FOR  INTERNET ACCESS PROVIDED BY AN
 INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER TO A TEMPORARY HOUSING FACILITY SHALL HAVE THE
 SAME TERMS AND CONDITIONS, OTHER THAN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS  SECTION,
 AS  THE REGULARLY PRICED COMPARABLE INTERNET PLAN OFFERED BY SUCH INTER-
 NET SERVICE PROVIDER.
   (3) LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICTS AND TEMPORARY  HOUSING  FACILITIES
 SHALL  NOT  BE  REQUIRED  TO ACTIVELY MONITOR OR CONTROL THE INFORMATION
 ACCESSED THROUGH THE WIFI SERVICE AND SHALL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE  FOR
 ANY  ILLEGAL  AND/OR  CRIMINAL  ACTIVITIES  COMMITTED,  ORCHESTRATED, OR
 ORGANIZED THROUGH THE PROVIDED WIFI ACCESS BY RESIDENTS.
   § 2. Section 153 of the social services law is amended by adding a new
 subdivision 13 to read as follows:
   13. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO  THE  CONTRARY,  ONE
 HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE COST FOR THE EXPENSE INCURRED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE
 DATE  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION  BY  TEMPORARY HOUSING FACILITIES TO PROVIDE
 INTERNET ACCESS AS REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION (K) OF SECTION  SEVENTEEN  OF
 THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY THE STATE.
   §  3.  Subdivision  10 of section 16-gg of section 1 of chapter 174 of
 the laws of 1968, as added by section 2 of part MMM of chapter 58 of the
 laws of 2022, is amended to read as follows:
   10. ConnectAll digital equity grant program.  The  ConnectAll  digital
 equity  grant  program  is  hereby established to support individuals to
 have the information technology capacity needed for  full  participation
 in  society and the economy, including the effective implementation of a
 State Digital Equity Plan or any successor plan AND TO FACILITATE, FUND,
 OR REIMBURSE, THE PROVISION OF INTERNET ACCESS AS PROVIDED  IN  SUBDIVI-
 SION  (K)  OF  SECTION  17  AND  SECTION 153 OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW.
 S. 3593--B                          3

 Grants issued pursuant to this program shall be awarded in a manner  and
 form  as determined by the division consistent with all relevant federal
 laws, codes, rules, and regulations associated with the federal  Digital
 Equity  Act  as established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
 Act. The division shall establish such State Digital Equity Plan and the
 procedures to solicit, receive and evaluate proposals  for  the  program
 consistent  with  rules,  regulations,  or guidelines established by the
 commissioner.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.   Effective  immediately,
 the  addition,  amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation neces-
 sary for the implementation of  this  act  on  its  effective  date  are
 authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2021-S3593C (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8552
Current Committee:: Senate Social Services
Law Section:: Social Services Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§17 & 153, Soc Serv L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2019-2020: S9030
2023-2024: S4561, A5649

2021-S3593C (ACTIVE) - Summary

Provides "WiFi service" internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; provides that one hundred percent of the cost for the expense incurred for local social services districts to provide such internet access shall be reimbursed by the state; relates to the ConnectAll digital equity grant program.

2021-S3593C (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S3593C

SPONSOR: BIAGGI
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to providing inter-
net access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; and to
amend the New York state urban development corporation act, in relation
to the ConnectAll  digital  equity grant program

 
PURPOSE::

To ensure that all individuals receiving temporary housing assistance
have access to the internet.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::

Section 1 amends section 17 of the social services law as relettered by
adding a new subdivision 1 to require temporary housing facilities to
provide internet access to all residents. Shelters must provide wireless
internet service in all common and private areas and have sufficient
strength to be used simultaneously by all residents.

Section 2 amends section 153 of the social service law to add a new
subdivision 13 to require the state to reimburse temporary housing
facilities for 100% of the cost of providing internet access.

Section 3 amends subdivision 10 of section 16-gg of chapter 174 of the
laws of 1968, as amended by section 2 part MM of chapter 58 of the laws
of 20222, to include funding internet access in temporary housing facil-
ities to the duties of the ConnectAll program.

Section 4 sets forth the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION::

According to the New York City Department of Social Services, most of
the 450 homeless shelters in New York City do not provide wifi for resi-
dents. In a 2019 survey of shelter residents by the City Bar Justice
Association, residents detailed their frustrations. Most were either
unable to access the internet regularly or had to spend their limited
resources on phone plans with data. For residents looking for a job or
housing, or trying to access city resources, being unable to access the
internet is costly.  Residents reported that they lost out on jobs or
had to use limited funds to pay for internet access instead of food or
other essential items.

For the estimated 114,000 children who live in shelters in New York
City, being unable to access the internet has made remote learning inac-
cessible. There are countless accounts of students who received laptops
from the New York City Department of Education, but had no access to
wifi. In some cases, students received wifi enabled devices, but still
could not access the internet for school because of spotty cell recep-
tion in their shelter.

This legislation would require all temporary housing facilities to
provide internet access for all individuals residing in temporary hous-
ing in their district. That includes, but is not limited to, family
shelters, shelters for adults, domestic violence shelters, runaway and
homeless youth shelters, and safe houses for refugees.  10096 of the
cost will be reimbursed by the State.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::

2020: S9030/A11108 - Died in Rules/Died in Social Services

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON TILE STATE:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE::

This act shall take effect immediately.

*lhttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/nyregion/new-york-homeless-studentsc
oronavirus.html

*2https://www.citybarjusticecenterom/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Homeless
Need-Internet-Access-toFind-a-Home-2020-Report.pdf

*3 For example:
https://citylimits.orq/2020/03/27/online-learning-means-newbarriers-for-
nycs-homelessstudents/;

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/nyregion/new-york-homeless-studentsco
ronavirus.html

2021-S3593C (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  3593--C
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 30, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced   by   Sens.  BIAGGI,  BAILEY,  BRISPORT,  CLEARE,  GIANARIS,
   GOUNARDES, HARCKHAM, HINCHEY,  HOYLMAN,  JACKSON,  KAMINSKY,  KENNEDY,
   MYRIE,  RAMOS,  RIVERA,  SALAZAR,  SANDERS, SEPULVEDA, SERRANO -- read
   twice and ordered printed, and when printed to  be  committed  to  the
   Committee  on  Social  Services -- committee discharged, bill amended,
   ordered reprinted as amended and  recommitted  to  said  committee  --
   committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
   recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged,  bill  amended,
   ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to providing inter-
   net  access  to  all individuals residing in temporary housing; and to
   amend the  New  York  state  urban  development  corporation  act,  in
   relation to the ConnectAll  digital  equity grant program
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Subdivision (k) of section 17 of the social  services  law,
 as relettered by chapter 424 of the laws of 2017, is relettered subdivi-
 sion (l) and a new subdivision (k) is added to read as follows:
   (K)  REQUIRE THAT ALL TEMPORARY HOUSING FACILITIES SHALL PROVIDE UNIN-
 TERRUPTED ACCESS TO  HIGH-SPEED  BROADBAND  INTERNET  SERVICE  AND  WIFI
 SERVICE TO ALL INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN SUCH TEMPORARY HOUSING.  THE WIFI
 SERVICE  SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT ALL PRIVATE AND COMMON AREAS
 ACCESSIBLE TO RESIDENTS. SUCH WIFI SERVICE MUST  BE  ACCESSIBLE  THROUGH
 PERSONAL  DEVICES  OF  THE  RESIDENTS.  THE WIFI SERVICE SIGNAL STRENGTH
 SHALL BE CONSISTENT AND SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT SIMULTANEOUS  USE  BY  ALL
 RESIDENTS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE TERM "HIGH-SPEED BROAD-
 BAND INTERNET SERVICE" MEANS INTERNET SERVICE WITH DOWNLOAD SPEEDS OF AT
 LEAST  ONE  GIGABIT PER SECOND AND UPLOAD SPEEDS OF AT LEAST ONE GIGABIT
 PER SECOND, OR IF SUCH SPEEDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE THE MAXIMUM DOWNLOAD AND
 UPLOAD SPEEDS COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE WITHIN THE  LOCAL  SOCIAL  SERVICES
 DISTRICT,  UNLESS  A  PLAN  WITH  LOWER  SPEEDS IS DEEMED SUFFICIENT AND
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD01779-12-2

 S. 3593--C                          2
 
 APPROVED BY THE DIVISION OF BROADBAND ACCESS OF THE NEW YORK STATE URBAN
 DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND THE TERM "WIFI  SERVICE"  MEANS  ACCESS  TO
 HIGH-SPEED  BROADBAND INTERNET THROUGH WIRELESS ROUTER WHICH CONNECTS TO
 THE INTERNET BY WIRE OR CABLE.  FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, TEMPO-
 RARY  HOUSING  SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, SHELTERS FOR ADULTS,
 SHELTERS FOR ADULT FAMILIES, SMALL-CAPACITY SHELTERS, SHELTERS FOR FAMI-
 LIES WITH CHILDREN, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE  SHELTERS,  RUNAWAY  AND  HOMELESS
 YOUTH SHELTERS, SHELTERS IN HOTELS OR SHELTERS FOR REFUGEES. EACH TEMPO-
 RARY HOUSING FACILITY SHALL SUBMIT THEIR PLAN TO PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS
 PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SUBDIVISION  TO  THE  DEPARTMENT  FOR  OVERSIGHT AND
 APPROVAL WITHIN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS
 SUBDIVISION.  TEMPORARY  HOUSING  FACILITIES  SHALL IMPLEMENT AND COMPLY
 WITH SUCH PLANS WITHIN TWELVE MONTHS OF SUCH APPROVAL.
   (1) (I) A TEMPORARY HOUSING FACILITY SHALL NOT  USE,  DISCLOSE,  SELL,
 RETAIN,  OR  PERMIT  ACCESS  TO THE PERSONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO A
 PERSON RESIDING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING OBTAINED IN THE COURSE OF PROVIDING
 INTERNET ACCESS EXCEPT AS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SUCH ACCESS WITHOUT REGARD
 TO CONTENT, APPLICATION, SERVICE, OR USE OF A NON-HARMFUL DEVICE, OR  TO
 RESPOND  TO  A WARRANT ISSUED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION UNDER
 THE PROCEDURES DESCRIBED IN THE FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL  PROCEDURE  OR
 ARTICLE SIX HUNDRED NINETY OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW.
   (II)  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, PERSONAL INFORMATION SHALL
 MEAN INFORMATION THAT DIRECTLY OR  INDIRECTLY  IDENTIFIES,  RELATES  TO,
 DESCRIBES,  IS  CAPABLE OF BEING ASSOCIATED WITH, OR COULD REASONABLY BE
 LINKED TO A PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, OR PERSONAL DEVICE.  INFORMA-
 TION IS REASONABLY LINKABLE TO AN INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, OR PERSONAL DEVICE
 IF IT CAN BE USED ON ITS OWN OR IN  COMBINATION  WITH  OTHER  REASONABLY
 AVAILABLE  INFORMATION,  REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH OTHER INFORMATION IS
 HELD BY THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT OR TEMPORARY HOUSING  FACILITY,  TO
 IDENTIFY AN INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, OR A PERSONAL DEVICE.
   (2)  ANY  CONTRACT  OR  AGREEMENT  FOR  INTERNET ACCESS PROVIDED BY AN
 INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER TO A TEMPORARY HOUSING FACILITY SHALL HAVE THE
 SAME TERMS AND CONDITIONS, OTHER THAN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS  SECTION,
 AS  THE REGULARLY PRICED COMPARABLE INTERNET PLAN OFFERED BY SUCH INTER-
 NET SERVICE PROVIDER.
   (3) LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICTS AND TEMPORARY  HOUSING  FACILITIES
 SHALL  NOT  BE  REQUIRED  TO ACTIVELY MONITOR OR CONTROL THE INFORMATION
 ACCESSED THROUGH THE WIFI SERVICE AND SHALL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE  FOR
 ANY  ILLEGAL  AND/OR  CRIMINAL  ACTIVITIES  COMMITTED,  ORCHESTRATED, OR
 ORGANIZED THROUGH THE PROVIDED WIFI ACCESS BY RESIDENTS.
   § 2. Section 153 of the social services law is amended by adding a new
 subdivision 13 to read as follows:
   13. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO  THE  CONTRARY,  ONE
 HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE COST FOR THE EXPENSE INCURRED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE
 DATE  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION  BY  TEMPORARY HOUSING FACILITIES TO PROVIDE
 INTERNET ACCESS AS REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION (K) OF SECTION  SEVENTEEN  OF
 THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY THE STATE.
   §  3.  Subdivision  10 of section 16-gg of section 1 of chapter 174 of
 the laws of 1968, as added by section 2 of part MMM of chapter 58 of the
 laws of 2022, is amended to read as follows:
   10. ConnectAll digital equity grant program.  The  ConnectAll  digital
 equity  grant  program  is  hereby established to support individuals to
 have the information technology capacity needed for  full  participation
 in  society and the economy, including the effective implementation of a
 State Digital Equity Plan or any successor plan AND TO FACILITATE, FUND,
 OR REIMBURSE, THE PROVISION OF INTERNET ACCESS AS PROVIDED  IN  SUBDIVI-
 S. 3593--C                          3
 
 SION  (K)  OF  SECTION  17  AND  SECTION 153 OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW.
 Grants issued pursuant to this program shall be awarded in a manner  and
 form  as determined by the division consistent with all relevant federal
 laws,  codes, rules, and regulations associated with the federal Digital
 Equity Act as established under the Infrastructure Investment  and  Jobs
 Act. The division shall establish such State Digital Equity Plan and the
 procedures  to  solicit,  receive and evaluate proposals for the program
 consistent with rules, regulations, or  guidelines  established  by  the
 commissioner.
   §  4.  This act shall take effect immediately.  Effective immediately,
 the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or  regulation  neces-
 sary  for  the  implementation  of  this  act  on its effective date are
 authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

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