New York S 5494: Relates to state financial aid for library social work services

Bill Text

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S05494 Summary:

BILL NOS05494A

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS A07948-A

&nbsp

SPONSORBYNOE

&nbsp

COSPNSR

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Add §273-b, Ed L

&nbsp

Creates a program to award state financial aid for social work services to be provided in libraries located in economically disadvantaged communities to enhance and expand access to services in places where individuals seek assistance and resources.

Go to top S05494 Actions:

BILL NOS05494A

&nbsp

02/21/2025REFERRED TO LIBRARIES

04/08/2025REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

01/07/2026REFERRED TO LIBRARIES

04/07/2026AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO LIBRARIES

04/07/2026PRINT NUMBER 5494A

04/28/2026REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

05/28/2026COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

05/28/2026ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1359

06/03/2026PASSED SENATE

06/03/2026DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

06/03/2026referred to higher education

Go to topS05494 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS05494 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS05494 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 5494--A

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 February 21, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. BYNOE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
 printed to be committed to the Committee on Libraries -- recommitted
 to the Committee on Libraries in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8
 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended
 and recommitted to said committee

 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to state aid for library
 social work services; and providing for the repeal of such provisions
 upon the expiration thereof

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Legislative intent. It is the intent of this legislature to
 2 place social workers in libraries to assist people who need access to
 3 greater resources and social services assistance than what is currently
 4 available at a library without a social worker. Libraries are friendly,
 5 hospitable, and restful public spaces where people from a wide variety
 6 of backgrounds and all walks of life gather to learn, connect with
 7 others, and rest. Libraries provide an essential public good by connect-
 8 ing communities with opportunities to upskill, seek education, and learn
 9 about resources to support basic needs.
 10 People view libraries as safe spaces for rest and learning, where they
 11 can receive vital services for free. Libraries offer respite for all
 12 community members, including the most vulnerable in our communities.
 13 This includes those who are unhoused, those who cannot afford to cool
 14 their homes during the summer, and those without broadband internet
 15 access. As such, libraries are often the first to identify emerging
 16 community issues as residents seek guidance and help from the library.
 17 Many library patrons have needs that cannot be met by existing library
 18 resources. Many needs extend beyond the scope of work of librarians, who
 19 despite their best intentions to serve, are not trained nor equipped to
 20 meet the wide range of social services challenges being faced by
 21 patrons. These needs include housing assistance, mental health

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD09848-03-6

 S. 5494--A 2

 1 services, and help accessing other social services. The co-location of
 2 social workers in libraries connects people who need assistance with the
 3 workers who can help them. Placing social workers in libraries will
 4 increase access to social services for those who need it the most and
 5 will ensure better community health and wellbeing.
 6 Furthermore, by creating dedicated funding for library social workers,
 7 libraries can serve the social services needs of the community without
 8 having to pull funding from other vital services such as buying books,
 9 developing programming, and maintaining the upkeep of their library
 10 buildings.
 11 § 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 273-b to
 12 read as follows:
 13 § 273-b. State aid awards for library social work services. 1. Subject
 14 to appropriation, the commissioner shall establish a p