New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A04502

Introduced
2/4/25  
Refer
2/4/25  
Report Pass
5/20/25  
Refer
5/20/25  
Report Pass
5/27/25  
Engrossed
6/10/25  
Refer
6/10/25  

Caption

Relates to access to educational activities by public assistance recipients who are subject to work participation requirements; allows homework expected or required by an educational institution to count towards satisfaction of the work activity requirements for public assistance benefits for participants engaged in certain educational or training activities.

Impact

If enacted, A04502 would potentially streamline the pathway for public assistance recipients to engage in educational programs while fulfilling their work participation requirements. This could facilitate greater access to necessary educational resources and training, thereby encouraging participants to pursue vocational and higher education, improve their employability, and ultimately gain self-sufficiency. The bill represents a substantive shift towards integrating educational achievements into the framework of public assistance support.

Summary

Assembly Bill A04502 aims to amend the social services law regarding public assistance recipients who are subject to work participation requirements. The bill provides that homework expected or required by an educational institution can count towards the satisfaction of work activity requirements for participants engaged in certain educational or training activities. This change seeks to enhance educational development while ensuring that individuals receiving public assistance can simultaneously meet the work requirements mandated for their benefits.

Contention

Notably, discussions surrounding A04502 may highlight tensions between providing adequate support to participants and ensuring that work participation rates are maintained. Opponents may raise concerns that the proposed changes could complicate the administration of public assistance programs by creating additional layers of requirements for educational documentation and participation verification. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the necessity for the social services districts to balance educational involvement with maintaining compliance with both federal and state work activity participation requirements.

Companion Bills

NY S04257

Same As Relates to access to educational activities by public assistance recipients who are subject to work participation requirements; allows homework expected or required by an educational institution to count towards satisfaction of the work activity requirements for public assistance benefits for participants engaged in certain educational or training activities.

Previously Filed As

NY A05272

Authorizes child care assistance to be made available to certain victims of domestic violence who are in need of assistance in order for a parent or caretaker relative to engage in work or participate in work activities.

NY A06016

Authorizes child care assistance to be made available to certain victims of domestic violence who are in need of assistance in order for a parent or caretaker relative to engage in work or participate in work activities.

NY A09602

Relates to clarifying the definitions of vocational educational training and educational activities.

NY A03253

Allows college coursework to be credited as a work activity which may be used toward fulfilling the employment requirements for public assistance benefits under certain conditions.

NY S06696

Allows college coursework to be credited as a work activity which may be used toward fulfilling the employment requirements for public assistance benefits under certain conditions.

NY S00799

Extends the period given to certain applicants for public assistance benefits to request a fair hearing on a determination of their ability to participate in work activities from ten days to sixty days or within sixty days of receipt of a work activity assignment.

NY A07670

Extends the period given to certain applicants for public assistance benefits to request a fair hearing on a determination of their ability to participate in work activities from ten days to sixty days or within sixty days of receipt of a work activity assignment.

NY S06017

Provides eligibility for a real property tax exemption for current or retired military reservists based on participation in formal training activities.

NY S04629

Requires heart examinations for public school students and a statement on whether the student is fit to participate in physical education or other athletic activities.

NY S05868

Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to brownfield remediation work performed under private contract as it relates to certain remediation activities, for sites that are seeking or have received a determination that the site is eligible for the tangible property credit component of the brownfield redevelopment tax credit, and the work is paid for in whole or in part by public funds.

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NJ A1596

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NJ S3374

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NJ S1553

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NJ S2445

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NJ S2077

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