Bill > A02583

This bill amends several New York state laws to provide supports and services for unaccompanied minors with no lawful immigration status. Key provisions include: - Defining "unaccompanied minor" and establishing their eligibility for a range of services, including health and behavioral health care, legal representation, language services, and educational assistance. These services are not considered public benefits that would affect the minor's immigration status. - Requiring the Office for New Americans to establish an "immigration services liaison" to connect unaccompanied minors with available support services. - Mandating that authorized agencies and out-of-state care providers refer unaccompanied minors released in New York to the immigration services liaison and provide them with information on available services. - Entitling unaccompanied minors to legal representation through immigration proceedings, to be provided by the state. - Expanding the definition of "covered health care services" under the state's health insurance program to include additional mental health and trauma-informed care services for unaccompanied minors.