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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 7
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to social services
- Referred to social services
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S4693
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to people receiving public assistance
Purpose or general idea of bill
Provides for the utilization of existing or readily available data in order to identify and render assistance to drug-dependent individuals to encourage rehabilitation and provide treatment for drug-dependent individuals.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends Section 131 of the social services law by adding a new subdivision 9-a to provide for the establishment of rules and procedures by the Commissioner of Health with regard to drug testing and treatment for persons receiving public assistance. In the event such testing reveals the presence of prohibited substances, as determined by the Commissioner, enrollment and participation in a drug rehabilitation program will be required, upon which the applicant may continue to receive public assistance. Failure to so enroll and actively participate will result in ineligibility for benefits.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
Justification
New York State's Social Services law already requires screening of applicants for alcohol and substance abuse but fails to adequately provide any potential solutions for those dealing with the difficulties of such addictions and the impact on their families and dependents and society at large. It is an unfortunate reality that those dealing with such addictions often allocate the resources received via public assistance programs toward the purchase of drugs, prolonging their illness. The sad results include neglected families and dependents and further exacerbation of the addiction by unintentionally enabling continued use. To some extent, this is preventable.
This legislation would provide for the utilization of existing or readily available data in order to identify and render crucial assistance to drug-dependent individuals and their families and dependents.
It would encourage and provide for treatment and long term solutions for those facing these crippling addictions, while discouraging drug dependence by providing a treatment option tied to benefits.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.