What's happening
This bill requires local social services districts to provide written information and resources to both relative and non-relative kinship caregivers.
Why it matters
Expands support to non-relative kinship caregivers. The bill ensures that non-relatives who step in to care for children (not just family members) receive the same guidance and resources as relatives, recognizing the broader reality of who provides kinship care.
Mandates clear, written information. By requiring districts to deliver written materials about grants, foster care options, and local/departmental supports, the bill aims to reduce confusion and ensure caregivers understand available help—potentially improving stability for children in their care.
Improves accessibility and transparency. Information must be made available through both local and state websites and other accessible means, helping caregivers find resources easily, regardless of their digital literacy or location.
May lead to better outcomes for children. By equipping all kinship caregivers (relative and non-relative) with knowledge about financial aid, legal options, and support services, the bill could help keep children out of the traditional foster care system and in safe, supportive homes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Support for Kinship Caregivers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by S2714
- Advanced to third reading cal.98
- Reported
- Referred to children and families
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Support Kinship Caregivers Access
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Diane J. Savino
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
569
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. JAFFEE, WRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Children and Families
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to services for relative and non-relative kinship caregivers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 392 of the social services law, as added by section 3 of part F of chapter 58 of the laws of 2010, is amended read as follows:
§ 392. Services for relative and non-relative kinship caregivers. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, when a local social services district is in contact with a relative or non-relative kinship caregiver or a suitable person who the district has approached about being a kinship caregiver, [local social services districts] such district shall [make] provide written information as described in subdivision two of this section to such caregivers or prospective suitable persons. Such information shall also be made available through the [district's] website [or] of both the office and the district and by other appropriate means [information for] in a manner accessible to relatives and non-relatives caring for children outside of the foster care system.
2. Such information shall include but not [necessarily] be limited to:
[1.] a. information relating to child only grants, including but not limited to, how to apply for child only grants; [and]
b. information about how to become a kinship foster parent and other options for care; and
[2.] c. information on how to contact the department of family assistance [or] kinship programs and any resources funded through or operating in the local [department of] social services [funded resources] district for relative and non-relative kinship caregivers, including those that
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02788-01-9
A. 569 2
provide supportive services for all relative and non-relative kinship caregivers in the district.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth 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.