Bill Text: NY A06126 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Relates to residential services for pregnant victims of domestic violence; provides that certain pregnant victims of domestic violence may stay at an emergency shelter for up to nine months.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-06 - enacting clause stricken [A06126 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-A06126-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 6126 2019-2020 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY February 28, 2019 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. TITUS, MOSLEY, OTIS, STECK, COLTON -- Multi-Spon- sored by -- M. of A. PERRY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Social Services AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to residential services for pregnant victims of domestic violence The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Section 459-b of the social services law, as amended by 2 chapter 7 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows: 3 § 459-b. Residential services for victims of domestic violence. In 4 accordance with section one hundred thirty-one-u of this chapter and the 5 regulations of the office of children and family services, a social 6 services district shall offer and provide necessary and available emer- 7 gency shelter and services for up to ninety days at a residential 8 program for victims of domestic violence to a victim of domestic 9 violence who was residing in the social services district at the time of 10 the alleged domestic violence whether or not such victim is eligible for 11 public assistance. Two forty-five day extensions of necessary and avail- 12 able emergency shelter may be granted beyond the maximum length of stay 13 at a residential program for victims of domestic violence for residents 14 who continue to be in need of emergency services and temporary shelter. 15 A victim of domestic violence who is pregnant during the time she 16 utilizes such emergency shelter or services may be granted up to nine 17 months of necessary and available emergency shelter beyond the maximum 18 length of stay at a residential program for victims of domestic violence 19 provided that such pregnant woman is in pursuit of an education and 20 training to reach independent status. If the victim of domestic violence 21 has a service animal as such term is defined in section one hundred 22 twenty-three-b of the agriculture and markets law, or therapy dog as 23 such term is defined in section one hundred eight of the agriculture and 24 markets law, respectively, such service animal or therapy dog shall be EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD07712-01-9A. 6126 2 1 allowed to accompany the victim at the residential program authorized 2 pursuant to this section, so long as such accompaniment would not create 3 an undue burden as defined by section two hundred ninety-six of the 4 executive law. 5 Where such accompaniment would constitute an undue burden, the resi- 6 dential program shall make reasonable efforts to facilitate placement of 7 such animal at an off-site animal care facility or if reasonable efforts 8 fail, provide referral to one or more off-site animal care facilities. 9 Such off-site animal care may include, but not be limited to, boarding 10 at a veterinary hospital or under the auspices of a duly incorporated 11 humane society, or duly incorporated animal protection association 12 approved for such purpose by the department of agriculture and markets. 13 Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any rights or 14 obligations provided pursuant to federal or state law, including but not 15 limited to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with 16 disabilities. 17 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day next 18 succeeding the date upon which it shall have become a law. Effective 19 immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regu- 20 lation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective 21 date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective 22 date.
