BILL NUMBER: S7005
SPONSOR: ROLISON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to establishing a
waiver program allowing for longer stays at domestic violence shelters
 
PURPOSE:
This bill establishes a waiver program allowing for longer stays at
domestic violence shelters.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 459-b of the social services law. Part 2 (a)
allows a social services district to grant waivers through OCFS to
domestic violence residential programs to serve victims who need a
length of stay in excess of one hundred and eighty days upon demonstrat-
ing circumstances preventing victims from moving to safe, alternative
housing. Part 2 (b) limits the waiver to an additional ninety days. Part
2 (c) outlines the information to be included in the waiver request.
Part 2 (d) requires OCFS to make a determination on the waiver in two
business days and states that the social services shall provide timely
reimbursement for such length of stay.
Section 2 states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation adds a 90-day extension to the current 180 day (90 days
with two 45 day extensions) length of stay requirements for domestic
violence shelters. This change better serves the victims of domestic
violence and allows domestic violence shelters to be reimbursed for
longer stays.
Presently if domestic violence shelters house victims past 180 days,
they do not get reimbursed. Given the current housing and rental market,
placement can be a challenge and domestic violence organizations deserve
to be reimbursed for the care and services they provide.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become law.

Statutes affected:
S7005: 459-b social services law