Relates to conducting appeals by means of electronic communications systems conference with independent hearing officers

1 Co-sponsor

• Patrick M. Gallivan

BILL NUMBER:S6882

Title of bill

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to permitting appeals to the department to be conducted by means of a conference tele- phone, video conference or similar communications systems with and by independent hearing officers

Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to enable the commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to embrace existing technolo- gy, reduce administrative costs, increase efficiencies, and provide a faster and more efficient fair hearing process for the benefit of all parties by conducting appeal hearings using teleconferencing or video conferencing equipment or independent fair hearing officers.

Summary of provisions

This bill would enable the commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to conduct appeals using teleconferencing or video conferencing equipment, or use independent fair hearing offi- cers for due process hearings.

Justification

Currently, OTDA conducts all fair hearing appeals using members of the commissioner's staff. As a result, fair hearings are sometimes delayed for several weeks pending the scheduling of these hearings. In addi- tion, OTDA incurs extensive travel and related expenses.

Other State agencies routinely conduct hearings using teleconferencing or video conference equipment, saving the State time and money. often, these hearings are more convenient to the parties since they enable the parties to participate using their own telephone, computer, or similar equipment.

Corporations and other business entities have been authorized to use teleconference equipment pursuant to the Business Corporation Law for over 30 years, and such use is commonplace in the private sector.

Legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.