Bill > A04469

This bill establishes comprehensive requirements for homeless shelters during a state disaster emergency, specifically focusing on epidemics or disease outbreaks. The bill defines key terms like "homeless shelter" broadly to include various types of temporary housing facilities and mandates that during a declared emergency, all social services districts and shelter operators must provide private rooms with private bathrooms to homeless individuals and families through direct placement in hotels, motels, or other living facilities. Additionally, the bill requires shelter employees and volunteers to be health-screened before each shift, with those showing symptoms being sent home, and mandates compliance with Department of Health guidelines on limiting disease spread, including testing, symptom monitoring, cleaning protocols, and personal protective equipment use. The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance must create an outreach network to contact unsheltered homeless individuals and offer them safe transportation to temporary housing. Shelters are also required to report daily infection numbers to local and state health departments, with the Department of Health publishing de-identified weekly data. Importantly, the state will reimburse 100% of the implementation costs, minus any applicable federal funds, ensuring that financial barriers do not impede the emergency response.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4469