§ 36-a. Department research and demonstration projects. 1. The
department is authorized to sponsor, conduct and participate in research
and demonstration projects designed to ascertain and eliminate the
causes of dependency and to rehabilitate recipients of public assistance
and care or to demonstrate the utilization of research in the
administration of public assistance and care.

2. Except where a specific appropriation has been made therefor, no
such research or demonstration project requiring the expenditure of
state funds shall be instituted without prior approval of the director
of the budget.

3. The department may request the cooperation of any county or city
social services district in connection with any such research or
demonstration project sponsored or conducted by the department.

* 4. The commissioner shall seek any federal waiver or waivers from
the United States department of agriculture that may be necessary to
exclude income provided to an individual as part of their participation
in a pilot program authorized under section one hundred thirty-one-a of
this chapter for supplemental nutrition assistance program eligibility
determination purposes.

* NB Repealed March 23, 2029