Bill > A05560

This bill amends the New York Social Services Law to enhance training requirements for child protective services (CPS) workers and supervisors by mandating additional educational components focused on developmental disabilities and cultural sensitivity. Specifically, the bill increases the annual in-service training requirement from six to eight hours and requires that these training hours now include developmental disability awareness and sensitivity, as well as cultural competency, sensitivity, and implicit bias training. These new training mandates aim to improve CPS workers' understanding of diverse populations, help them recognize and mitigate potential biases, and develop more nuanced skills when working with families, particularly those with members who have developmental disabilities. The changes will apply to both CPS workers and supervisors, ensuring that those investigating and managing child protection cases have a more comprehensive and empathetic approach to their work. The new training requirements will be implemented starting in the second year of employment, and workers can complete the training through distance learning methods, providing flexibility in how the educational components are delivered.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5560