File #: Int 0650-2022    Version: * Name: Provision of counsel at the first point of contact during an ACS investigation.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on General Welfare
On agenda: 9/14/2022
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the provision of counsel at the first point of contact during an ACS investigation
Sponsors: Diana I. Ayala, Farah N. Louis, Shahana K. Hanif, Crystal Hudson, Sandra Ung, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Justin L. Brannan, Julie Won, Jennifer Gutiérrez
Council Member Sponsors: 9
Summary: This bill would require the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to create a program to provide access to legal services for parents or guardians after an indicated report during an ACS investigation, specifically immediately after ACS makes contact for the first time with such parents or guardians.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 650, 2. Int. No. 650, 3. September 14, 2022 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 9-14-22, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - September 14, 2022

Int. No. 650

 

By Council Members Ayala, Louis, Hanif, Hudson, Ung, Sanchez, Brannan, Won and Gutiérrez

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the provision of counsel at the first point of contact during an ACS investigation

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 9 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 21-922 to read as follows:

§ 21-922 Legal services for parents. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Brief legal assistance. The term “brief legal assistance” means individualized legal assistance provided in a single consultation by a designated organization to a covered individual in connection with a covered proceeding.

Covered individual. The term “covered individual” means a parent or other person legally responsible for the care of a child.

Covered proceeding. The term “covered proceeding” means ACS’s first point of contact with a parent or other personal legally responsible for the care of a child during an ACS child protective investigation following an indicated report in such investigation pursuant to section 424 of the New York state social services law.

Designated citywide languages. The term “designated citywide languages” has the meaning ascribed to such term in section 23-1101.

Designated organization. The term “designated organization” means a not-for-profit organization or association that has the capacity to provide legal services.

Legal services. The term “legal services” means brief legal assistance or full legal representation.

b. Provision of legal services. Subject to appropriation, ACS shall establish a program to provide access to legal services for all covered individuals in covered proceedings and shall ensure that, no later than January 31, 2023, all covered individuals receive access to such legal services from a designated organization no later than immediately after a covered proceeding.

c. ACS shall annually review the performance of designated organizations and shall require each designated organization to identify the geographic areas for which such organization will provide legal services. For each such geographic area, ACS shall maintain a list of such organizations that provide such legal services.

d. Any legal services performed by a designated organization pursuant to this chapter shall not supplant, replace, or satisfy any obligations or responsibilities of such designated organization pursuant to any other program, agreement, or contract. 

e. Nothing in this chapter or the administration or application thereof shall be construed to create a private right of action on the part of any person or entity against the city or any agency, official, or employee thereof.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

 

 

Session 12

ACK

LS #7713

7/25/2022

 

Session 11

ACK

LS #8788 / Int. 1728

7/25/2019