BILL NUMBER: S184A
SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to establishing a
full year youth employment immersion pilot program; and in relation to
creating a youth or young adult employment immersion pilot program in
three social services districts
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation would establish a year-round youth employment program
wherein 16-24 year olds who have not yet completed post-secondary educa-
tion work full time and develop skills on the job.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 establishes a new section 131-Y of the Social Services Law
entitled Youth Employment Immersion Program, provides definition, eligi-
bility criteria and other program parameters.
Section 2 directs the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to
select three local social services districts of which one shall be the
City of New York. Social services districts would be permitted to coor-
dinate with a local youth bureau and/or a local non-profit entity.
Section further includes analysis and reporting requirements.
Section 3 establishes an 100% earned income disregard provided a federal
waiver is obtained.
Section 4 requires OTDA to amend SNAP and TANF state plans where neces-
sary.
Section 5 provides for an immediate effective date with provisions.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Building on the success of a statewide Summer Youth Employment Program,
which is limited to summer months, a year-round Youth Employment Immer-
sion Program would employ youth and young adults who may not have
completed high school or college and help them build transferrable work
skills in the public, nonprofit or private sector. Young people who
have not completed college or high school are increasingly less likely
to earn sufficient wages to establish self-sufficiency and are increas-
ingly likely to remain trapped in poverty. A year-round employment
program that pays greater than minimum wage will assist young New York-
ers acquire valuable on-the-job experience with the possibility of
achieving sustained employment.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATION:
New legislation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Two-year pilot, $20 million per annum.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately with provisions.

Statutes affected:
S184: 131-a social services law, 131-a(8) social services law
S184A: 131-a social services law, 131-a(8) social services law