Bill > A05417

This bill creates a 17-member Commission to Reform Public Assistance Benefits charged with studying and improving how public assistance benefits are administered in New York State. The commission will include representatives from various state agencies and legislative leadership, who will conduct a comprehensive review of current public assistance payment methods, with a particular focus on identifying income thresholds that currently cause individuals or families to lose benefits entirely. The commission is required to produce two key reports: an initial 90-day report detailing their study's findings, and a second 180-day report recommending a new payment method that would gradually reduce benefits as income increases, rather than completely cutting off assistance at specific income levels. To gather input, the commission will hold public hearings across nine regions of New York State and has the authority to request documents and compel witness testimony. Importantly, the commission's recommended payment method will have the force of law unless the legislature takes specific action to change it, potentially creating a significant mechanism for reforming how public assistance benefits are structured and distributed.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5417