New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S01319

Introduced
1/9/25  

Caption

Relates to expanding the persons responsible for reporting cases of suspected child abuse to include employees, volunteers, or agents of any corporate entity having an agreement with a municipality as a tier II facility or any other shelter providing temporary housing to persons under the age of 18.

Summary

S01319 would amend New York’s mandated reporter law to add employees, volunteers, or agents of corporate entities operating a tier II facility or any other shelter that provides temporary housing to people under age 18. In practical terms, these individuals would be required to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment when they have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or maltreatment in the course of their professional or official duties, just as other mandated reporters already must do under Social Services Law section 413. The bill appears aimed at closing a gap in the child-protection reporting framework for youth shelters and similar temporary housing settings. It would apply the new reporting duty both to the current version of section 413 and to the parallel amended version scheduled to take effect under chapter 733 of the laws of 2023, and it would take effect immediately, with the second amendment synchronized to the 2023 law’s effective date.

Impact

The bill would expand the list of mandated reporters under New York Social Services Law § 413, creating a new legal duty for personnel connected to tier II facilities and other shelters serving minors. This would affect shelter operators, their staff, volunteers, and agents by subjecting them to the same reporting obligations and potential consequences for failure to report as other mandated reporters. It would also strengthen the state’s child abuse reporting system by bringing additional youth-serving residential settings within the mandated reporter framework.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure is framed as a child-protection expansion and appears to be presented in a protective, noncontroversial posture. The available context suggests a policy goal of improving reporting in shelters for minors rather than altering broader child welfare standards.

Contention

The main policy question raised by the bill is whether staff, volunteers, and agents in temporary youth shelters should be treated as mandated reporters, which could impose training, compliance, and liability concerns on shelter providers. Potential points of contention may include the scope of covered facilities, whether volunteers should be included alongside employees, and how the requirement would be implemented in corporate-operated shelters and tier II facilities. No specific opposing arguments or named stakeholders were included in the provided materials.

Companion Bills

NY A06380

Same As Relates to expanding the persons responsible for reporting cases of suspected child abuse to include employees, volunteers, or agents of any corporate entity having an agreement with a municipality as a tier II facility or any other shelter providing temporary housing to persons under the age of 18.

Previously Filed As

NY S09782

Relates to expanding the persons responsible for reporting cases of suspected child abuse to include employees, volunteers, or agents of any corporate entity having an agreement with a municipality as a tier II facility or any other shelter providing temporary housing to persons under the age of 18.

NY S00240

Relates to expanding the persons responsible for reporting cases of suspected child abuse to include employees, volunteers, or agents of any corporate entity having an agreement with a municipality as a tier II facility or any other shelter providing temporary housing to persons under the age of 18.

NY A00314

Relates to expanding the persons responsible for reporting cases of suspected child abuse to include employees, volunteers, or agents of any corporate entity having an agreement with a municipality as a tier II facility or any other shelter providing temporary housing to persons under the age of 18.

NY A06380

Relates to expanding the persons responsible for reporting cases of suspected child abuse to include employees, volunteers, or agents of any corporate entity having an agreement with a municipality as a tier II facility or any other shelter providing temporary housing to persons under the age of 18.

NY S04141

Expands the persons responsible for reporting cases of suspected child abuse to include employees, volunteers, or agents of any corporate entity having an agreement with a municipality as a homeless shelter provider and the development of procedures related thereto.

NY HB1399

In child protective services, further providing for persons required to report suspected child abuse and for employees having contact with children, adoptive and foster parents.

NY A10664

Includes certain employees or volunteers of not-for-profit youth organizations whose primary purpose is to interact with youth through activities, events or gatherings as mandated reporters.

NY A08743

Provides for certain procedures to be followed when there is a determination of suspected child abuse or neglect; establishes duties to investigate; relates to examinations of the child in a suspected case of child abuse.

NY AB412

Mandatory reporting requirements and referring cases of threatened or suspected child abuse to law enforcement. (FE)

NY SB432

Mandatory reporting requirements and referring cases of threatened or suspected child abuse to law enforcement. (FE)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.