A 6448 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to conciliation and non-compliance with public assistance employment; repealer

This bill (A 6448) repeals outdated language in New York State's Social Services Law regarding public assistance work compliance and updates the process for addressing non-compliance. It directly affects public assistance recipients in New York City (population over 1 million) who fail to meet work requirements. Key provisions require social services districts to issue clear, plain-language re-engagement notices within 10 days, explaining how recipients can avoid benefit reductions by agreeing to comply, proving exemptions (e.g., for health, childcare, or domestic violence), or attending a conciliation conference. The bill also mandates districts verify childcare/transportation availability before penalizing non-compliance and prohibits sanctions during the re-engagement process.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Assembly Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 5, 2025 Last action May 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A6448 → A6448A · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends the social services law to clarify and reorganize the 're-engagement process' for public assistance recipients in cities with over one million people. The changes primarily involve renumbering sections, removing redundant definitions, and adding specific requirements for how districts must handle disputes and issue notices regarding work activity compliance.
Scope change
The bill applies specifically to residents of cities with a population of one million or more. It does not change the overall scope of the law but refines the procedural steps for enforcement within that specific jurisdiction.
DEFINITION

The definition of the 're-engagement process' was restructured to separate the process description from the notice requirements, improving clarity.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added to ensure that re-engagement notices clearly explain the ten-day window for requesting re-engagement and the specific actions needed to avoid benefit reductions.

The notice requirements were updated to specify that districts must verify child care, transportation, and disability accommodations were in place before determining a failure to comply was willful.

New provisions require districts to consider evidence of good cause and limit findings of willfulness for a single appointment or infraction if the participant is otherwise working.

The timeline for issuing notices of intent to reduce assistance was clarified to ensure they are distinct from previous notices and include specific instructions on how to avoid benefit cuts.

Floor votes · Assembly May 12, 2026

How they voted

93–47
Passed · 9 other
Total votes 149
May 12, 2026
D Democratic102
93 Yea 5 Nay 4
91% Yea
R Republican47
42 Nay 5
89% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
3
May 12, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
upper
May 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED ASSEMBLY
lower
Jun 9, 2025
Introduced
AMEND BY RESTORING TO ORIGINAL PRINT 6448
lower
May 27, 2025
Committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 6448A
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO WAYS AND MEANS
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Pamela Hunter
Pamela Hunter
DDemocratic
NY
128