BILL NUMBER: S6913
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law and the mental hygiene law, in
relation to the 2-1-1 essential community services hotline system
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this legislation is to codify 2-1-1 community services
hotline system into law.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Creates a new article in social services law, titled the
2-1-1 Essential Community Services Hotline system.
Section 2: Creates a new Section 467 of the social services law, codify-
ing the 2-1-1 Essential Community Services Hotline system, operated by
2-1-1, New York. This section establishes definitions, as well as
responsibilities for the system, requiring 2-1-1 to be available twen-
ty-four hours a day, seven days a week to provide individuals and fami-
lies with community resource and referral services for issues such as
housing and food insecurity, health and behavioral health needs, child-
care and services during times of crisis, including a natural disaster
or other weather-related events. 2-1-1 call centers would be responsi-
ble for maintaining up to date databases of providers and services in
the community. Section 2 of the bill also requires the office of chil-
dren and family services (OCFS) in consultation with 2-1-1 New York to
compile a list of reportable metrics, which would subsequently be
reported to the Governor and Legislature, annually.
Section 3: Amends Section 36.03 of the mental hygiene law, requiring
9-8-8 call centers to coordinate with the 2-1-1 Essential Community
Services hotline system when appropriate.
Section 4: Establishes the effective date, which is 120 days after the
bill becomes law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated 2-1-1 as
the three digit number for individuals and families, outside of the city
of New York, to use when in need of resource and referral services
related to health, behavioral health and human service needs. In 2010,
the Public Service Commission designated 2-1-1 New York to oversee the
development and operation of the 2-1-1 statewide referral system here in
New York. Since then, 2-1-1 New York has been responsible for connecting
millions of New Yorkers across the State with vital resource and refer-
ral services. New Yorkers can turn to 2-1-1 at any time, even after
state offices have closed or during a crisis, including during a natural
disaster or other weather-related events.
In addition to providing after-hour services, in many communities, 2-1-1
contracts directly with the local social services district to operate on
their behalf, acting as the first point of contact to provide homeless
and adult protective service information and referrals.
Additionally, 2-1-1 is a vital resource during natural disasters,
including weather related events, and helps the State coordinate their
emergency responses as a member of the New York State Disaster Prepared-
ness Commission. During the major snowstorms of 2025, the Governor
promptly featured 2-1-1 in all her press releases as the number to
contact for anyone seeking non-emergency services.
Despite the vital role that 2-1-1 New York plays, the Executive Budget
has continued to exclude funding, forcing United Way and 2-1-1 to advo-
cate for inclusion in the Legislative One House Budgets year after year.
This legislation would codify the 2-1-1 Essential Community Services
Hotline system in statute, highlighting its role as an essential state
service, with the ultimate goal of inclusion in the Executive Budget,
ensuring 2-1-1's ability to continue to operate on behalf of all New
Yorkers.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
This 2-1-1 essential community services hotline system will operate with
a state appropriation.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall become a law.

Statutes affected:
S6913: 36.03 mental hygiene law