S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   5331
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 13, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of A. GONZALEZ-ROJAS, DE LOS SANTOS, MAMDANI -- read
   once and referred to the Committee on Social Services
 
 AN ACT to amend the social services law, in  relation  to  enacting  the
   HOPE pilot program; and making an appropriation therefor
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The social services law is amended by adding a new  section
 98 to read as follows:
   §  98.  HOPE  PILOT  PROGRAM. 1. AS USED IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING
 TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   A. "COMMISSIONERS" MEANS THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE  OF  TEMPORARY
 AND  DISABILITY ASSISTANCE AND THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH, ACTING COLLA-
 BORATIVELY.
   B. "ELIGIBLE PILOT COMMUNITY" MEANS A UNIT OF  GENERAL  PURPOSE  LOCAL
 GOVERNMENT,  INDIAN  TRIBAL ORGANIZATION, OR AN ENTITY THAT REPRESENTS A
 SMALLER GEOGRAPHICAL AREA THEREIN INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO A  NEIGH-
 BORHOOD.
   C.  "TARGET POPULATION" MEANS AND INCLUDES ANY INDIVIDUAL OR HOUSEHOLD
 THAT:
   (I) THEIR INCOME IS BELOW TWO HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE  FEDERAL  POVERTY
 LEVEL;
   (II) SUFFERS FROM FOOD INSECURITY;
   (III)  EARNS  INSUFFICIENT  INCOME TO ENSURE FOOD SECURITY OR ECONOMIC
 SECURITY;
   (IV) LIVES IN A RURAL, SUBURBAN OR URBAN COMMUNITY THAT  SUFFERS  FROM
 POVERTY, HUNGER OR FOOD INSECURITY;
   (V) IS HOMELESS;
   (VI)  RECEIVES ASSISTANCE FROM A STATE PROGRAM FUNDED UNDER TITLE IV-A
 OF THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, RELATING TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE  TO
 NEEDY FAMILIES;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD08617-01-5
 A. 5331                             2
              

 
   (VII)  IS  ELIGIBLE  FOR BENEFITS UNDER ANY FEDERAL OR STATE NUTRITION
 ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR FEDERAL OR STATE ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAM; OR
   (VIII) IS FORMERLY A YOUTH IN TRANSITION FROM FOSTER CARE OR THE JUVE-
 NILE DETENTION FACILITIES.
   D. "PARTNER NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION" MEANS ANY NATIONAL, REGIONAL,
 STATE,   OR  LOCAL  NOT-FOR-PROFIT  ORGANIZATION  DESCRIBED  IN  SECTION
 501(C)(3) OF THE UNITED STATES  INTERNAL  REVENUE  CODE  WHICH  HAS  TAX
 EXEMPT STATUS UNDER SECTION 501(A) OF SUCH CODE.
   E.  "UNIT OF GENERAL PURPOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT" MEANS ANY CITY, COUNTY,
 TOWN, MUNICIPALITY, OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE, OR  ANY
 COMBINATION THEREOF, WHICH HAS A BUILDING CODE OR SIMILAR AUTHORITY OVER
 A PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF THE STATE.
   2.  A.  THE  COMMISSIONERS SHALL ALLOW ELIGIBLE ENTITIES THAT APPLY TO
 SUCH COMMISSIONERS TO CARRY OUT HEALTH, OPPORTUNITY, AND PERSONAL EMPOW-
 ERMENT ("HOPE") ACCOUNTS PILOT PROJECTS TO ENABLE TARGET POPULATIONS  OF
 INDIVIDUALS  TO  ESTABLISH THROUGH BANKS, CREDIT UNIONS, AND ANY GOVERN-
 MENTAL OR INDIAN TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS, HOPE ACCOUNTS  THAT  ENABLE  SUCH
 INDIVIDUALS TO:
   (I) HAVE THEIR PAYCHECKS DEPOSITED DIRECTLY IN SUCH ACCOUNTS;
   (II)  USE SUCH ACCOUNTS TO INCREASE SAVINGS THAT WOULD BE MATCHED WITH
 FUNDS PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SOURCES,  INCLUDING  INDIVIDUAL
 DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS;
   (III)  USE  AN  ACCOUNT  MOBILE APPLICATION ON A SMART PHONE TO EASILY
 LOCATE AND SIGN UP FOR JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT SERVICES ONLINE;
   (IV) ENABLE SUCH INDIVIDUALS TO USE ANY SMART PHONE, TABLET OR COMPUT-
 ER TO:
   (A) LEARN ABOUT THE PUBLIC AND  PHILANTHROPIC  PROGRAMS  THAT  PROVIDE
 BENEFITS  TO  SUCH  INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING AID TO IMPROVE HEALTH, NUTRI-
 TION, JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT, HOUSING, AND INCOME;
   (B) RECEIVE FEDERAL AND STATE TAX CREDITS; AND
   (C) APPLY FOR, SUBMIT ELIGIBILITY DOCUMENTS FOR, ENROLL IN, AND MANAGE
 THE USE OF SUCH BENEFITS AT ONCE THROUGH THE CONVENIENCE OF THEIR DEVICE
 IF INDIVIDUALS OR THEIR HOUSEHOLDS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ONE OR MORE OF  SUCH
 BENEFITS;
   (V)  RECEIVE  A  BASIC  SMART PHONE, TABLET, OR COMPUTER, ALONG WITH A
 SUBSIDIZED INTERNET WI-FI ACCESS PLAN, IF SUCH INDIVIDUALS DO NOT OWN  A
 SMART PHONE, TABLET OR COMPUTER;
   (VI)  OBTAIN THE ACCESS AND INFORMATION DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (IV)
 OF THIS PARAGRAPH WITH ASSISTANCE AT LIBRARIES, GOVERNMENT  OFFICES,  OR
 NOT-FOR-PROFIT  AGENCIES  IF  SUCH  INDIVIDUALS  ARE UNCOMFORTABLE USING
 INTERNET TECHNOLOGY THEMSELVES;
   (VII) OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPH  (IV)
 OF  THIS  PARAGRAPH, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF GOVERNMENT OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT
 EMPLOYEES, AMERICORPS NATIONAL SERVICE  PARTICIPANTS,  OR  SENIOR  CORPS
 MEMBERS, TO RECEIVE HOME VISITS IF SUCH INDIVIDUALS ARE ELDERLY OR DISA-
 BLED;
   (VIII) ACCESS HEALTH CARE INFORMATION THAT SPECIFIES MEDICAL BENEFITS,
 AND ANY OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS, FOR EACH OF THE HEALTH PLANS FOR WHICH SUCH
 INDIVIDUALS  MAY  BE ELIGIBLE, AND TO EMPOWER SUCH INDIVIDUALS TO EASILY
 SELECT THE PLAN THAT WORKS BEST FOR THEM;
   (IX) ENABLE SUCH INDIVIDUALS TO FILE DIRECTLY, AND  WITHOUT  EXPENDING
 FUNDS  TO  OBTAIN THIRD-PARTY TAX FILING SERVICES, TO OBTAIN FEDERAL TAX
 CREDITS AND REFUNDS, AND WITH THE STATE AND LOCALITIES  WITH  THEIR  OWN
 SUPPLEMENTAL  TAX  CREDITS,  TO  SIMULTANEOUSLY  FILE  FOR  CREDITS  AND
 REFUNDS;
 A. 5331                             3
 
   (X) DEPOSIT CASH IN THE ACCOUNT THAT IS SET ASIDE FOR  EDUCATION,  JOB
 TRAINING,  STARTING  A  BUSINESS,  OR  BUYING  A  HOME AND THAT WOULD BE
 NONTAXABLE;
   (XI) EASILY ACCESS AND MONITOR, IN ONE CENTRAL ONLINE ACCOUNT:
   (A) TO BE ABLE TO CHECK THE STATUS, AMOUNTS, AND RECERTIFICATION DEAD-
 LINES FOR SOME OR ALL THEIR BENEFITS AND SAVINGS; AND
   (B)  TO PAY ALL BILLS ONLINE, SAVING HIGH CHECK CASHING FEES AND ENOR-
 MOUS AMOUNTS OF TIME;
   (XII) BUDGET RESOURCES BY USING REAL-TIME CASH FLOW DATA AND LONG-TERM
 FINANCIAL PLANNING DATA, INCLUDING CALCULATING HOW MUCH SUCH INDIVIDUALS
 WOULD LOSE IN INTEREST ON CREDIT CARDS VERSUS HOW MUCH SUCH  INDIVIDUALS
 WOULD GAIN IN INTEREST BY SAVING MORE;
   (XIII)  ACCESS  CALENDAR AND SCHEDULING FUNCTIONS THAT ENABLE INDIVID-
 UALS TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL JOB SEARCH, WORK,  FAMILY,  AND  SCHOOL  OBLI-
 GATIONS, AS WELL AS ANY SOCIAL SERVICE FILING OR APPOINTMENT DATES;
   (XIV)  BE  PROTECTED BY SECURITY AND PRIVACY SYSTEMS SO THAT ONLY SUCH
 INDIVIDUALS, AND NOT THE GOVERNMENT,  NOT-FOR-PROFIT  ORGANIZATIONS,  OR
 BANKING  PARTNERS,  WOULD  BE ABLE TO SEE OR TRACK PRIVATE FINANCIAL AND
 APPOINTMENT INFORMATION; AND
   (XV) NOTWITHSTANDING OTHER PROVISIONS OF LAW, ALLOW PROGRAM APPLICANTS
 TO EASILY AND CLEARLY AUTHORIZE THEIR SHARING OF PERSONAL AND  FINANCIAL
 INFORMATION WITH MULTIPLE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF
 THOSE  GOVERNMENT  AGENCIES  ENABLING  THE  INDIVIDUALS TO APPLY FOR AND
 UTILIZE GOVERNMENT BENEFITS.
   B. PILOT PROJECTS AUTHORIZED BY PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION  SHALL
 BE  CARRIED  OUT  FOR  A ONE YEAR PERIOD IN EACH OF THE FISCAL YEARS TWO
 THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX THROUGH TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-NINE.
   3. A. THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL ALLOW ELIGIBLE ENTITIES  THAT  APPLY  TO
 SUCH  COMMISSIONERS  TO  CARRY  OUT  HOPE ACTION PLANS PILOT PROJECTS TO
 ENABLE TARGET POPULATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS TO PARTNER WITH GOVERNMENT  AND
 NOT-FOR-PROFIT  ORGANIZATIONS  BY  ENTERING INTO VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS TO
 CARRY OUT LONG-TERM HOPE ACTION PLANS THAT:
   (I) SPECIFY EXACTLY HOW THE PARTIES TO SUCH PLANS WILL HELP SUCH INDI-
 VIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES EARN, LEARN, AND  SAVE  BETTER  IN  ORDER  TO
 ENSURE GREATER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN BY
 WORKING  TOGETHER  IN A LONG-TERM, POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP FOR THE PURPOSE
 OF ENSURING UPWARD MOBILITY;
   (II) ARE DESIGNED TO EMPOWER SUCH INDIVIDUALS AND  THEIR  FAMILIES  TO
 BETTER  ORGANIZE  THEIR  TIME  AND  FOCUS THEIR ACTIVITIES ON PRODUCTIVE
 ENDEAVORS WHILE PROVIDING THEM EXTRA RESOURCES TO DO SO;
   (III) MAY BE:
   (A) SHORT-TERM, CONDUCTED OVER A YEAR OR TWO YEARS AND AIMED AT  HELP-
 ING FAMILIES ACHIEVE VERY BASIC GOALS, SUCH AS AVOIDING HOMELESSNESS AND
 HUNGER; OR
   (B) LONG-TERM WITH FAR MORE AMBITIOUS GOALS FOR UPWARD MOBILITY; AND
   (IV)  WOULD  REQUIRE  THAT  PARTICIPATING  INDIVIDUALS  AND  FAMILIES,
 GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT PARTNERS HAVE  EQUAL  RIGHTS  TO
 HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE FOR PLAN OUTCOMES AND FUNDING.
   B.  PILOT PROJECTS AUTHORIZED BY PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL
 BE CARRIED OUT FOR A ONE YEAR PERIOD IN EACH OF  THE  FISCAL  YEARS  TWO
 THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX THROUGH TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-NINE.
   4.  A. THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL EACH CREATE GRANT APPLICATION PROCESSES
 TO COMPETITIVELY MAKE GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES TO  AID  TARGET  POPU-
 LATIONS.  TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A GRANT FOR A FISCAL YEAR UNDER THIS
 SECTION, ELIGIBLE ENTITIES SHALL SUBMIT TO THE APPROPRIATE  COMMISSIONER
 AN APPLICATION THAT CONTAINS A DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE APPLICANT PROPOSES
 A. 5331                             4

 TO USE THE GRANT FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT THE COMPONENTS OF THE PILOT PROJECTS
 AUTHORIZED  BY  THIS  SECTION.  APPLICATIONS  SHALL BE SUBMITTED IN SUCH
 FORM, AT SUCH TIME, AND CONTAINING SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE COMMIS-
 SIONERS MAY REQUIRE.
   B. IF ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS FINDS IT APPROPRIATE, THAT COMMISSIONER
 MAY  USE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS FOR PURPOSES OF MAKING GRANTS UNDER THIS
 SECTION.
   C. GRANTS MADE UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL  RANGE  IN  AMOUNTS  FROM  TWO
 HUNDRED  FIFTY  THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THREE MILLION DOLLARS, AND SHOULD BE
 PROPORTIONATE TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL SIZE, PROJECT COMPLEXITY,  AND  NUMBER
 OF  INDIVIDUALS  PARTICIPATING  IN  EACH  PROJECT. ELIGIBLE ENTITIES MAY
 RECEIVE GRANTS MADE UNDER THIS SECTION BY TWO OR MORE OF THE COMMISSION-
 ERS.  TO THE EXTENT FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE, EACH COMMISSIONER SHALL MAKE NO
 FEWER THAN EIGHT SUCH GRANTS ANNUALLY.
   D. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL MAKE GRANTS  FOR
 PILOT  PROJECTS  THAT  OPERATE  STATEWIDE,  AS  WELL  AS  PILOT PROJECTS
 DESIGNED TO SERVE SPECIFIC RURAL, URBAN,  AND  SUBURBAN  AREAS.  TO  THE
 EXTENT  PRACTICABLE,  PILOT  PROJECTS FOR WHICH GRANTS ARE MADE SHALL BE
 DISTRIBUTED AMONG DIVERSE ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS AS  DETERMINED  BY  THE
 OFFICE  OF  TEMPORARY  AND  DISABILITY  ASSISTANCE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
 HEALTH.
   E. FOR PURPOSES OF MAKING GRANTS UNDER THIS SECTION, PREFERENCE  SHALL
 BE GIVEN FOR PILOT PROJECTS THAT:
   (I) SERVE INDIVIDUALS IN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED, HIGH-POVERTY, RURAL
 OR URBAN COMMUNITIES;
   (II) SIMULTANEOUSLY TEST BOTH HOPE ACCOUNTS AND HOPE ACTION PLANS;
   (III)  INVOLVE  LOW-INCOME  INDIVIDUALS  AS  EQUAL PARTNERS IN PROJECT
 PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION;
   (IV) MAKE ADDITIONAL FUNDS AVAILABLE DIRECTLY TO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
 THROUGH ACTION PLANS, EITHER  THROUGH  GOVERNMENT  PAYMENTS  OR  THROUGH
 NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION SUBGRANTEES;
   (V)  ARE  MATCHED  BY  CONSIDERABLE NON-STATE FUNDS WITHOUT PENALIZING
 VERY LOW-INCOME, UNDERSERVED RURAL AND  URBAN  COMMUNITIES  THAT  CANNOT
 PROVIDE NON-STATE MATCHING FUNDS;
   (VI)  PROPOSE  CONCRETE  PLANS FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY AND EXPAN-
 SIONS WITHOUT FUTURE FEDERAL OR STATE GRANT FUNDS;
   (VII) ASSIST LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS TO APPLY  FOR  THE  FEDERAL  EARNED
 INCOME TAX CREDITS AND STATE TAX CREDITS;
   (VIII)  PROVIDE  RESOURCES  IN  BOTH  ENGLISH AND ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES
 COMMONLY SPOKEN IN THE APPLICABLE AREA;
   (IX) PRIORITIZE CLIENT-FACING,  FULLY  TESTED  TECHNOLOGY  AND  MOBILE
 DEVICE APPLICATIONS;
   (X)  INCLUDE A ROBUST MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLANNING AND REPORTING
 PLAN, INCLUDING PROPOSED STAFFING AND REPORTING FOR THAT PLAN, INCLUDING
 REPORTING ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PILOT MAKES IT EASIER, QUICKER, AND
 LESS COSTLY FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS TO ACCESS A VARIETY OF  BENEFITS,
 THE  EXTENT  TO  WHICH THE PILOT WILL SAVE ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS OVER THE
 LONG-RUN, THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE ACCURACY AND INTEGRITY OF THE BENEFITS
 PROGRAMS INCLUDED ARE MAINTAINED OR IMPROVED, AND THE  EXTENT  TO  WHICH
 LOW-INCOME  HOUSEHOLDS  ARE  ABLE TO MORE EASILY OBTAIN FREE OR LOW-COST
 BANKING SERVICES;
   (XI) SUBCONTRACT PART OF THE  PILOT  PROJECT  IMPLEMENTATION  WORK  TO
 UNITED STATES-BASED PRIVATE BUSINESSES, BANKS, SAVINGS AND LOANS, CREDIT
 UNIONS,  CO-OPS  AND  NOT-FOR-PROFIT  ORGANIZATIONS DESCRIBED IN SECTION
 501(C)(3) OF THE UNITED STATES  INTERNAL  REVENUE  CODE  WHICH  HAS  TAX
 A. 5331                             5

 EXEMPT  STATUS UNDER SECTION 501(A) OF SUCH CODE WITH RELEVANT, SUCCESS-
 FUL EXPERIENCE IN SIMILAR OR RELATED PROJECT ACTIVITIES;
   (XII)  INCORPORATE A BENEFITS CALCULATOR TO ENABLE APPLICANTS TO LEARN
 HOW THE RECEIPT OF SOME BENEFITS MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT IMPACT WHETHER  THEY
 ARE  ELIGIBLE  FOR  OTHER  BENEFITS AND MIGHT IMPACT THE AMOUNT OF THOSE
 OTHER BENEFITS FOR WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE;
   (XIII) INCLUDE PLANNING AND FUNDING FOR THE PILOT  ENTITIES  TO  TRAIN
 THEIR STAFFS AND CLIENTS TO UTILIZE THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES;
   (XIV) IN RURAL AND OTHER AREAS WITHOUT STRONG BROADBAND SERVICE, INTE-
 GRATE  ACTIVITIES  UNDER  THE  GRANT WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES TO STRENGTHEN
 LOCAL BROADBAND SERVICE;
   (XV) ENABLE LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS TO  OBTAIN  FREE  OR  REDUCED-PRICE
 SMART PHONES AND FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE DATA SERVICES;
   (XVI) ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT PERSONAL SMART PHONE, TABLET, OR
 COMPUTER  ACCESS  ARE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGICAL
 IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PILOT PROJECTS AT PUBLIC LOCATIONS  SUCH  AS  PUBLIC
 LIBRARIES, COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND SOCIAL SERVICE OFFICES;
   (XVII)  PROPOSE  A DETAILED, WORKABLE PLAN TO THOROUGHLY BETA TEST AND
 FIELD TEST ANY NEW TECHNOLOGIES OR SYSTEMS IN THE PILOT  PROJECT  BEFORE
 MAKING  SUCH  TECHNOLOGIES OR SYSTEMS AVAILABLE TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS, INDI-
 VIDUALS, OR THE ENTIRE PILOT AREA; AND
   (XVIII) IDENTIFY THE APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, OR INDIAN TRIBE
 STATUTORY AND REGULATORY AUTHORITIES, INCLUDING WAIVER  AUTHORITIES,  TO
 BE  POTENTIALLY  LEVERAGED  TO  MOST  EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSED
 PILOT PROJECT.
   5. A. THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSION-
 ER FOR THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE, SHALL  HOLD  A
 MERIT-BASED COMPETITION TO AWARD HOPE TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION CONTRACTS TO
 STATE-BASED   PRIVATE   BUSINESSES   AND   NOT-FOR-PROFIT  ORGANIZATIONS
 DESCRIBED IN SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE  UNITED  STATES  INTERNAL  REVENUE
 CODE  WHICH HAS TAX EXEMPT STATUS UNDER SECTION 501(A) OF SUCH CODE WITH
 RELEVANT, SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE IN  TECHNOLOGY,  TO  CREATE  TECHNOLOGY,
 INCLUDING  MOBILE  APPLICATIONS, WIDGETS, AND TEMPLATES THAT PILOT ENTI-
 TIES CAN USE TO CREATE HOPE ACCOUNTS.
   B. THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH SHALL AWARD NO  MORE  THAN  TEN  AND  NO
 FEWER THAN TWO SUCH CONTRACTS EACH FISCAL YEAR.
   C.  SUCH CONTRACTS MAY RANGE IN SIZE FROM TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
 TO FOUR MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
   D. ALL TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED WITH FUNDING PROVIDED UNDER THIS  SUBDI-
 VISION SHALL BE OPEN-SOURCED AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR FREE.
   E.  NO  CONTRACTOR  SHALL  HAVE ACCESS TO ANY CLIENT OR HOUSEHOLD DATA
 THROUGH A PROJECT UNDER  THIS  SECTION,  UNLESS  SUCH  CONTRACTOR  IS  A
 CONTRACTOR OR SUBGRANTEE FOR A PILOT ENTITY, IN WHICH CASE SUCH CONTRAC-
 TOR MAY HAVE LIMITED, FUNCTIONAL ACCESS TO SUCH DATA. IN NO CASE SHALL A
 CONTRACTOR SHARE OR SELL CLIENT OR HOUSEHOLD DATA.
   F. IN MAKING AWARDS UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION, THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH
 SHALL  GIVE  PREFERENCE  TO  APPLICANTS  THAT  ENSURE THE FOLLOWING WITH
 RESPECT TO THE APPLICABLE TECHNOLOGY:
   (I) CLIENT-FACING TECHNOLOGY WITH TOP PREFERENCES MOBILE DEVICE APPLI-
 CATIONS AND USES AND SECONDARY PREFERENCES TO TABLET  AND  COMPUTER  AND
 TEXTING USES;
   (II) INCORPORATE FAIL-SAFE SYSTEMS TO MAINTAIN THE PRIVACY AND SECURI-
 TY OF DATA;
   (III) ARE EASILY ADAPTABLE AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE FINANCIAL COSTS WITH
 THE LEAST POSSIBLE STAFF TIME BY PILOT ENTITIES AND OTHER STATE, COUNTY,
 A. 5331                             6

 CITY,  MUNICIPAL,  AND  INDIAN  TRIBAL  GOVERNMENTS IN A MANNER THAT CAN
 EASILY BE UTILIZED BY LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS; AND
   (IV) BUILD IN THE ABILITY TO BE EASILY UPDATED AS TECHNOLOGIES EVOLVE.
   6.  NONE OF THE PILOT PROJECTS CARRIED OUT UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL DO
 ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
   A. DECREASE THE OVERALL MONETARY VALUE OF  FEDERAL,  STATE,  LOCAL  OR
 INDIAN  TRIBE  GOVERNMENT  FUNDING ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO ANY INDIVIDUAL OR
 FAMILY, ALTHOUGH ALL ENTITIES INVOLVED COULD INDEPENDENTLY, OR  JOINTLY,
 INCREASE FUNDING UNDER SUCH PROJECTS.
   B.  DECREASE THE OVERALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR INDIAN TRIBE GOVERN-
 MENT FUNDING FOR ANTI-POVERTY  PROGRAMS  SPENT  BY  PARTICIPATING  PILOT
 COMMUNITIES  AND  AGENCIES, ALTHOUGH ALL ENTITIES INVOLVED MAY INDEPEND-
 ENTLY, OR JOINTLY, INCREASE FUNDING.
   C. LENGTHEN THE AMOUNT OF TIME OR INCREASE THE REQUIREMENTS  NECESSARY
 TO RECEIVE ANY GOVERNMENT BENEFITS, OR IN ANY WAY MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT
 TO OBTAIN ANY FORM OF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.
   D.  LIMIT  THE  LEGAL  RIGHTS  OF  ANYONE IN THE TARGET POPULATIONS TO
 RECEIVE GOVERNMENT OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION ASSISTANCE.
   E. DECREASE OVERALL PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYMENT  IN  ANY  ELIGIBLE  PILOT
 COMMUNITY,  BUT PUBLIC EMPLOYEES MAY BE TRANSFERRED AT SIMILAR OR HIGHER
 SALARIES AND PAY GRADES FROM POSITIONS THAT OVERSEE PAPERWORK  TO  POSI-
 TIONS  THAT  PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, ASSUMING SUCH TRANS-
 FERS DO NOT VIOLATE COLLECTIVE  BARGAINING  AGREEMENTS  OR  THEIR  OTHER
 RIGHTS AS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.
   F.  DECREASE  OR  INCREASE  WORK  REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING GOVERNMENT
 PROGRAMS.
   G. REDUCE PROGRAM INTEGRITY MEASURES OR INCREASE  THE  POSSIBILITY  OF
 FRAUD IN ANY GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.
   H.  TRACK  OR  MONITOR  THE PHYSICAL LOCATION OR IMMIGRATION STATUS OF
 IMMIGRANTS, BE USED FOR ANY IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY AGAINST ANY
 INDIVIDUALS, OR BE USED TO  PROVIDE  ANY  DATA  WHATSOEVER  TO  AGENCIES
 INVOLVED IN IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES OR POLICY.
   I.  ENABLE ANY PILOT ENTITY OR CONTRACTOR, SUBCONTRACTOR OR PARTNER OF
 ANY PILOT ENTITY TO SHARE OR SELL  CLIENT  OR  HOUSEHOLD  DATA  OBTAINED
 THROUGH THOSE PROJECTS.
   J. ELIMINATE THE EXISTING ABILITY OF APPLICANTS TO APPLY FOR, RECERTI-
 FY,  OR  MANAGE  GOVERNMENT BENEFITS BY PHYSICALLY VISITING A GOVERNMENT
 OFFICE.
   7. A. NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER THIRTIETH OF EACH OF  THE  FISCAL  YEARS
 TWO  THOUSAND  TWENTY-SIX THROUGH TWO THOUSAND THIRTY, THE COMMISSIONERS
 SHALL SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE  AND
 THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE ASSEMBLY, A REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF ALL THE PILOT
 PROJECTS CREATED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
   B. EACH REPORT SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH A OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION
 SHALL  INCLUDE  DETAILED  DATA  ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PILOT PROJECT
 MAKES IT EASIER, QUICKER, AND LESS COSTLY FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS  TO
 ACCESS A VARIETY OF BENEFITS, THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PILOT PROJECT WILL
 SAVE  ADMINISTRATIVE  FUNDS  OVER THE LONG-TERM, THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE
 ACCURACY AND INTEGRITY OF THE BENEFITS PROGRAMS INCLUDED ARE  MAINTAINED
 OR  IMPROVED,  AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ARE ABLE TO
 MORE EASILY OBTAIN FREE OR LOW-COST BANKING SERVICES.
   § 2. The sum of forty-nine million dollars ($49,000,000), or  so  much
 thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is hereby appropriated for each of the
 fiscal years 2026 through 2029 out of any moneys in the  state  treasury
 in  the  general fund to the credit of the local assistance account, not
 A. 5331                             7
 
 otherwise appropriated, and made immediately available, for the  purpose
 of carrying out the provisions of this act as follows:
   (i) The sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) shall be appropriated
 to  the  commissioner  of the office of temporary and disability assist-
 ance, of which five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000)  shall  be  used
 internally  by  the  office  of  temporary and disability assistance for
 staff and other expenses to plan,  award,  and  oversee  pilot  projects
 under   this   act  and  nine  million  five  hundred  thousand  dollars
 ($9,500,000) shall be available for grants under  section  one  of  this
 act;
   (ii)  The  sum of fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) to the commis-
 sioner of health, of which  five  hundred  thousand  dollars  ($500,000)
 shall be used internally by the department of health for staff and other
 expenses  to  plan, award, and oversee pilot projects under this act and
 nine million five hundred thousand dollars ($9,500,000) shall be  avail-
 able for grants under section one of this act.
   (iii)  Of  the amount appropriated for a fiscal year to carry out this
 act, at least 10 percent shall be allocated  to  provide  assistance  in
 persistent  poverty  counties.  For  purposes  of this section, the term
 "persistent poverty counties" means any county that has had  20  percent
 or  more  of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years, as
 measured by the 1990, 2000, and 2010 decennial censuses.
   Such moneys shall be payable on the audit and  warrant  of  the  comp-
 troller  on  vouchers  certified  or approved by the commissioner of the
 office of temporary and disability assistance  or  the  commissioner  of
 health, as necessary and in the manner prescribed by law.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
 it  shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be  made  and
 completed on or before such effective date.