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- Referred to social services
- Referred to social services
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Enacts the access for new Americans act
In Assembly Committee · Social Services · Sponsor Rhoda Jacobs
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S3876
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to enacting the access for new Americans act
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would allow the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance to administer funds directly to community based organizations for the purpose of providing services to immigrants and new Americans including but not limited to pre-citizenship and citizenship services, English classes, legal services, and employment services.
Summary of specific provisions
This bill would add a new section 140 to the social services law.
Justification
As the immigrant community continues to grow in New York State, services are required in order for them to become better adjusted in our country. Relatively simple issues such as how to apply for citizenship or how to get legal assistance can become daunting tasks for one who is new to our state and our nation.
Within the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA) exists the Bureau of Refugee and Immigration Affairs (BRIA). BRIA's mission is to direct resources to assist refugees and their families in achieving economic and social self-sufficiency and to aid other legal immigrants with their transition to life in the United States.
While the services provided by OTDA and BRIA are successful in their family based approach, much more can be done. Currently, almost half of the funds allocated for these programs and services are being spent administratively and not for the intended purpose of immigrant and new American assistance. Community based organizations on the front lines of providing these services know how to implement effective programs and how to best carry 011t services immigrants and new Americans desire and need.
This legislation would authorize, on a more wide scale level, OTDA and BRIA to allocate funds to specific community based organizations in order to assist them in their efforts to help immigrants and new Americans integrate successfully. As provided for in this legislation, a steady stream of funding through the state budget for these services will allow the state to better assist community based organizations with the vital programs and services they provide.
Prior legislative history
2007-2010 - Referred to Social Services 2005-2006 - Referred to Social Services 2003-2004 - Referred to Social Services
Fiscal implications
Subject to state budget appropriations.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it has become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.