BILL NUMBER: S710
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to eligibility for
the temporary assistance to needy families block grant program, safety
net assistance and medical assistance for certain noncitizens
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Relates to eligibility for the temporary assistance to needy families
block grant program, safety net assistance and medical assistance for
certain noncitizens
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 122 of the social services law by adding
subparagraph viii to subdivision 1, which includes noncitizens, their
spouses, and unmarried children under twenty-one years of age to be
eligible for additional state payments for aged, blind and disabled
persons, family assistance, safety net assistance, services. It includes
victims of crime including human trafficking, domestic violence,
torture, in eligibility via the Violence Against Women Act, special
immigrant juvenile status, or application for asylum. It stipulates the
forms of attestation and the duration of services as well as when and
under which circumstances benefits would cease to be provided.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
All forms of violence are interconnected and disproportionately impact
communities at the intersections of oppressive systems. This is partic-
ularly true for immigrants who are undocumented and are often disadvan-
taged in their ability to access resources. The United States Department
of State estimates between 14,500 and 17,500 victims are trafficked
within the United States each year and that an estimated 72% of these
victims are immigrants. A Legal Momentum study also found that immigrant
women experience abuse at two times the rate of the general U.S. popu-
lation. Additionally, per researchers associated with JANA, the esti-
mates on the overall prevalence of torture among immigrants and refugees
range from 5% to 35%. Without resources and access to public benefits,
immigrants are more susceptible to various forms of violence and harm.
Therefore, the provision of resources is an anti-violence strategy.
According to a 2018 joint report by the National Domestic Violence
Hotline, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and the National
Latin@ Network, access to economic Security programs like Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which provides direct financial
assistance to families living in poverty, affordable healthcare (through
Medicaid, Medicare, or the Affordable Care Act), housing assistance, and
other programs are critical in providing increased economic stability
for survivors. This legislation will provide temporary access to public
benefits to immigrants who are in the process of being documented and
are victims of crime in order to provide relief as these individuals go
through the immigration process and obtain employment, education or
access other opportunities to become independent and safer.
The estimated annual cost of crime is $4.71-$5.76 trillion. Supporting
victims/survivors is the moral and fiscal responsibility of the govern-
ment and this bill will help us accomplish both goals.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill in 2023-24-S.7789.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.