Bill > S00668

This bill amends the social services law in relation to conciliation and non-compliance with public assistance employment requirements. The key provisions are: 1. It repeals sections 341 and 342 of the social services law and replaces them with new sections 341 and 342. 2. The new section 341 establishes a "re-engagement process" where participants who fail to comply with employment requirements can avoid a pro-rata reduction in public assistance benefits by agreeing to comply, becoming exempt, or resolving the reasons for non-compliance through a conciliation conference. 3. The new section 342 states that participants who fail to comply without good cause can be made ineligible for public assistance, with the benefits reduced pro-rata until the individual agrees to comply or becomes exempt. 4. The bill also amends a provision related to fair hearings for applicants or recipients who receive a disability determination, specifying that they cannot be assigned to work activities pending the hearing unless they agree to a limited work assignment.