What's happening
This bill requires most public assistance applicants aged 6 to 34 without a high school diploma to enroll in or pursue completion of such a diploma, with certain exceptions.
Why it matters
Links public assistance eligibility to educational attainment. The bill creates a direct connection between receiving public assistance and either holding or actively pursuing a high school diploma or equivalency, aiming to make educational progress a condition for aid among most applicants aged 6 to 34.
Promotes long-term self-sufficiency. By requiring educational participation, the legislation seeks to improve recipients’ future employment prospects, potentially reducing dependence on public assistance over time and addressing cycles of poverty linked to low educational attainment.
Includes exceptions for practicality and capacity. The bill allows for exemptions if a person is found medically, psychiatrically, or otherwise incapable of completing a diploma, or if the local district finds it impractical or cost-ineffective due to factors like prior job experience, existing credentials, disability, or lack of available educational programs.
Could impact families with children. Because the requirement applies to individuals as young as six, families seeking public assistance may need to ensure school-age children are enrolled and participating in education, potentially increasing administrative oversight and affecting household eligibility.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tie Public Assistance to Education
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Held for consideration in social services
- Referred to social services
- Referred to social services
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5540
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 13, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GOODELL, RAIA, MORINELLO, FRIEND -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BARCLAY, GIGLIO, B. MILLER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to requiring participation in educational programs leading to a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma for those seeking public assistance
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Purpose. The legislature hereby finds that obtaining a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma is often essential for successful private sector employment, and personal financial independence, self-sufficiency and success. Indeed, many occupations require a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma as a precondition for employment. Individuals without a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma are often relegated to low paying jobs, and suffer much higher unemployment rates than those with a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma. It is therefore in the public interest to require individuals who are capable of obtaining a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma to be engaged in good faith efforts to obtain that objective.
§ 2. Section 131 of the social services law is amended by adding a new subdivision 21 to read as follows:
21. Notwithstanding any provisions of this chapter or other law to the contrary, no public assistance shall be given to or for any person over five years of age or under thirty-five years of age who does not have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma or is not duly enrolled and participating in good faith toward the attainment of a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma, unless such person has been determined by a medical, psychiatric or other appropriate professional to lack the requisite capacity to complete successfully such a course of study or the local social services district determines
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03856-01-9
A. 5540 2
that such a course of study is not practical or cost-effective based on the person's employment background or experience, job training, possession of a career development occupational studies credential, work skills, health, disability, the lack of available educational programs, or other factors.
§ 3. The commissioner of temporary and disability assistance shall have the authority to promulgate or amend any regulations necessary for the implementation of this act.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
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.