Offer Free Finance Classes

Section 1. Paragraph (f) of subdivision 1 of section 336 of the social services law, as amended by section 148 of part B of chapter 436 of the laws of 1997, is amended to read as follows:

(f) job search and job readiness assistance, provided that job search is an active and continuing effort to secure employment configured by the local social services official; and such social services district may work in cooperation with the department of labor to provide workforce guidance and information in accordance with section ten-c of the labor law;

§ 2. Subdivision 1 of section 336-a of the social services law, as amended by section 4 of part J of chapter 58 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:

1. Social services districts shall make available vocational educational training and educational activities. Such activities may include but need not be limited to, high school education or education designed to prepare a participant for a high school equivalency certificate, basic and remedial education, education in English proficiency, education or a course of instruction in financial literacy and personal finance that includes instruction on household cash management techniques, career advice to obtain a well paying and secure job, using checking and savings accounts, obtaining and utilizing short and long

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD01848-02-7

A. 474--A 2

term credit, securing a loan or other long term financing arrangement for high cost items, participation in a higher education course of instruction or trade school, and no more than a total of four years of post-secondary education (or the part-time equivalent). Educational activities pursuant to this section may be offered with any of the following providers which meet the performance or assessment standards established in regulations by the commissioner for such providers: a community college, licensed trade school, registered business school, or a two-year or four-year college; provided, however, that such post-secondary education must be necessary to the attainment of the participant's individual employment goal as set forth in the employability plan and such goal must relate directly to obtaining useful employment in a recognized occupation. When making any assignment to any educational activity pursuant to this subdivision, such assignment shall be permitted only to the extent that such assignment is consistent with the individual's assessment and employment plan goals in accordance with sections three hundred thirty-five and three hundred thirty-five-a of this title and shall require that the individual maintains satisfactory academic progress and hourly participation is documented consistent with federal and state requirements. For purposes of this provision "satisfactory academic progress" shall mean having a cumulative C average, or its equivalent, as determined by the academic institution. The requirement to maintain satisfactory academic progress may be waived if done so by the academic institution and the social services district based on undue hardship caused by an event such as a personal injury or illness of the student, the death of a relative of the student or other extenuating circumstances. Any enrollment in post-secondary education beyond a twelve month period must be combined with no less than twenty hours of participation averaged weekly in paid employment or work activities or community service when paid employment is not available.

§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that the commissioner of temporary and disability assistance is immediately authorized and directed to promulgate, amend and/or repeal any rules and regulations that may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date.