Directs social services districts to contract with non-residential programs for victims of domestic violence to provide outreach and education to students in public and private high schools; provides for state reimbursement therefor.
Summary
This bill would amend the Social Services Law to create a new school-outreach domestic violence prevention program. It directs social services districts, under regulations of the Office of Children and Family Services, to contract with not-for-profit non-residential domestic violence service providers to deliver information, referral, advocacy, counseling, and education about domestic violence to students in public and private high schools.
The bill also modifies the definition of a “non-residential program for victims of domestic violence” so that students reached through a school-outreach prevention program are not counted when determining whether at least 70 percent of a program’s clientele are victims of domestic violence and their children. This change is intended to allow domestic violence organizations to conduct school-based prevention and education work without jeopardizing their eligibility under existing law.
The bill provides that, if funds are specifically appropriated, the state would reimburse social services districts for 100 percent of the expenditures made for these programs. It would take effect 120 days after becoming law, with immediate authorization for any necessary rulemaking.
Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes included, the available context does not show formal debate or a documented vote pattern. Based on the bill’s text and caption, the measure appears to be framed as a prevention and youth education initiative, with likely support for expanding domestic violence awareness in schools and for funding local districts to implement it.
Impact
The bill would amend sections of the Social Services Law governing domestic violence service programs and social services district responsibilities. It creates an explicit statutory basis for school-based domestic violence outreach in high schools and authorizes districts to purchase these services from qualified nonprofit providers. It also adjusts the existing clientele-percentage rule for non-residential domestic violence programs so school outreach participants do not count against the 70 percent victim-client requirement. If appropriated, the state would reimburse districts for the full cost of these services, shifting the financial burden from local districts to the state.
Sentiment
No committee discussion or voting record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of legislative debate or partisan division. The bill’s caption and text suggest a generally supportive policy approach focused on domestic violence prevention, student education, and expanding access to counseling and referral services. The measure appears designed to be protective and service-oriented rather than controversial in its core purpose.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is fiscal: the bill requires social services districts to provide the program and contemplates full state reimbursement only if funds are specifically appropriated, which could raise concerns about cost, funding availability, and implementation. Another possible issue is administrative oversight, since the program would be implemented through nonprofit contractors and regulated by OCFS. The clientele-count exemption for school outreach may also matter to domestic violence service providers, because it changes how they maintain compliance with existing program definitions and eligibility rules.
Directs social services districts to contract with non-residential programs for victims of domestic violence to provide outreach and education to students in public and private high schools; provides for state reimbursement therefor.