Bill > S01580

This bill establishes a 2.7% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for designated human services programs in New York State, effective April 1, 2026, to help offset the effects of inflation on program reimbursements. This COLA is intended to be the sole increase for inflation or trend factors for the period of April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, and will not apply to federal relief funds like those from the American Rescue Plan Act, though the Office of Children and Family Services may apply additional factors for staff retention. The bill lists numerous specific programs funded by various state offices, including the Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Department of Health (DOH), State Office for the Aging (SOFA), and Office of Victim Services, as eligible for this COLA, and also includes a provision for other state-funded human services programs that address social problems to be deemed eligible. Recipients of these funds must certify that they will prioritize recruitment and retention of non-executive direct care, support, and clinical staff, or address other critical non-personal service costs, before any salary increases for executive-level positions, and agencies are authorized to recoup funds used improperly.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1580