Bill > A08584

This bill establishes an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for various human services programs across six state agencies, beginning April 1, 2025. The COLA will be calculated using the Consumer Price Index - Urban (CPI-U) from the previous July, published by the U.S. Department of Labor, and will apply to programs and services from the Office of Mental Health, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Office of Addiction Services and Supports, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office of Children and Family Services, and the State Office for the Aging. The adjustment is subject to budget approval and available appropriations, and is designed to help these human services programs keep pace with inflation. Importantly, the bill requires that local government units and direct contract providers first use the COLA funding to support recruitment and retention of non-executive direct care, direct support, and clinical staff, or to address critical non-personal service costs, before considering any executive-level salary increases. The bill also gives agency commissioners the authority to recoup funds if they are not used as intended, and specifies that this COLA is inclusive of all other cost of living or inflation adjustments for the fiscal year, preventing additional increases beyond this annual adjustment.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8584