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A 4502

Relates to access to educational activities by public assistance recipients who are subject to work participation requirements

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Khaleel Anderson and 7 co-sponsors

Expands education's role in meeting work participation rules for public assistance recipients, easing access to approved coursework and protecting them while enrolled.

RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 4502

Summary — A.4502 (2025)

Title: Relates to access to educational activities by public assistance recipients who are subject to work participation requirements
Primary Sponsor: Assemblyman Brian Cunningham
Cosponsors: MaryJane Shimsky, Chantel Jackson, Dana Levenberg, David McDonough, Kalman Yeger, Khaleel Anderson, Manny De Los Santos
Status (as of 2025-06-12): Returned to Assembly after having been passed by the Senate. Companion bill: S4257.

Purpose / Intent

The bill concerns the ability of public assistance recipients who must meet state work participation requirements to access educational activities. Its general aim, as stated in the title, is to change how educational engagement is treated for clients of public assistance programs that carry work requirements — for example, to expand access to education or to allow certain educational activities to satisfy participation rules.

Key procedural milestones (2025)

  • 2025-02-04 — Referred to Assembly Social Services Committee (A4502 introduced).
  • 2025-05-08 — A4502A printed (amendment).
  • 2025-05-16 — A4502B printed (further amendment).
  • 2025-05-16 to 2025-06-10 — Committee actions, reported and ordered to third reading.
  • 2025-06-10 — Passed Assembly; delivered to and referred to Senate Rules.
  • 2025-06-12 — Substituted for S4257A, passed Senate (3rd Reading, Cal.1169), and returned to Assembly.

What the bill would affect

  • Public assistance recipients who are subject to state work participation requirements (e.g., recipients of TANF/aid to families with dependent children or other state-administered cash assistance programs).
  • Local social services districts / county departments that administer public assistance and monitor participation.
  • Educational and training providers that enroll or deliver programs to public assistance recipients.
  • State program administration and potentially program reporting/fiscal systems (depending on the bill’s implementing provisions).

Likely types of provisions (based on title and common legislative practice)

The title indicates changes in policy relating to educational activities and work requirements. Such bills commonly:
- Specify that certain educational activities (postsecondary courses, vocational training, remedial education, certificate programs, etc.) count toward work participation requirements; or
- Require agencies to facilitate access (referrals, enrollment support, transportation/childcare referrals); or
- Protect recipients from sanctions while engaged in approved educational activities; or
- Direct state agencies to issue guidance and reporting requirements to implement the change.

Note: the text versions available in the legislative file (A4502A / A4502B) contain the complete language and any precise definitions, counting rules, timelines, exemptions, or fiscal impacts. Consult the bill text and fiscal notes for exact provisions.

Impact and next steps for readers

  • A4502 has bipartisan sponsorship and advanced through both houses (Assembly then Senate) and was returned to the Assembly on 2025-06-12; final enactment would require concurrence by both houses (if amended) and the governor’s signature.
  • Potential impacts include increased educational opportunities for recipients, programmatic changes for local social services agencies, and possible budgetary effects (administrative costs or federal/state matching considerations).
  • To evaluate specifics (what activities count, sanction rules, effective dates, and fiscal impact), review the full bill text (A4502B) and the Legislative Fiscal Note / Committee Reports available on the New York State Assembly or Senate legislative websites.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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