New York A 7948: Relates to fire suppression systems and licensing professionals to perform authorized work on fire suppression systems

Bill Text

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A07948 Summary:

BILL NOA07948A

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SAME ASSAME AS S05494-A

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SPONSORLavine

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COSPNSR

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

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Add §273-b, Ed L

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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 A07948 Actions:

BILL NOA07948A

&nbsp

04/16/2025referred to higher education

01/07/2026referred to higher education

04/13/2026amend and recommit to higher education

04/13/2026print number 7948a

Go to topA07948 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA07948 Floor&nbspVotes:

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

Go to topA07948 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 7948--A

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 April 16, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. LAVINE -- read once and referred to the Committee
 on Higher Education -- recommitted to the Committee on Higher Educa-
 tion in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- 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.
 LBD09848-04-6

 A. 7948--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 pilot program for
 15 the purpose of placing social workers in public libraries, association
 16 libraries and public library systems located in economically disadvan-
 17 taged communities to assist people who need access to greater resources
 18 and social services. Such pilot program