What's happening
This bill allows appeals and fair hearings in the Department of Family Assistance to be conducted by phone, video, or similar technology.
Why it matters
Expands accessibility for appellants. By allowing hearings to be conducted via phone or video, the bill makes it easier for people with mobility issues, limited transportation, or living in remote areas to participate in Department of Family Assistance appeals.
Potential for faster resolution. Remote hearings can be scheduled and conducted more quickly, potentially reducing wait times for decisions that impact critical benefits or services.
Introduces independent hearing officers. The amendment clarifies that not only staff, but also independent hearing officers, can conduct these remote hearings, which could enhance impartiality and public confidence in the appeals process.
Modernizes administrative processes. Embracing communication technology aligns the department with current best practices, potentially improving efficiency and reducing costs associated with in-person hearings.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Remote Family Hearings
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Held for consideration in social services
- Referred to social services
- Referred to social services
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5463
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 12, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GOODELL, FRIEND, BRABENEC -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BARCLAY, B. MILLER, MORINELLO, STEC, WALSH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to permitting appeals to the department of family assistance to be conducted by means of a conference telephone, video conference or similar communications systems with and by independent hearing officers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 22 of the social services law, as added by chapter 473 of the laws of 1978, is amended to read as follows:
2. In connection with any appeal pursuant to this section, with or without a fair hearing, [the] each commissioner may designate and authorize one or more appropriate members of his or her staff or independent fair hearing officers to consider and decide such appeals. Any staff member or independent fair hearing officer so designated and authorized shall have authority to decide such appeals on behalf of the commissioner with the same force and effect as if the commissioner had made the decisions. Fair hearings held in connection with such appeals shall be held on behalf of the commissioner by members of his or her staff or independent fair hearing officers who are employed for such purposes or who have been designated and authorized by him or her therefor. The fair hearing may be conducted by means of a conference telephone, video conference equipment or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in such hearing to hear each other at the same time. The provisions of this subdivision shall apply to fair hearings conducted pursuant to subdivision eight of section four hundred twenty-two of this chapter, and to any hearing required pursuant to this chapter concerning the denial, suspension or revocation of any permit, certificate or license, and to any hearing held pursuant to section four hundred fifty-five of this chapter.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03645-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.