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Bill

S 9498

Relates to the establishment of a statewide supervised visitation initiative to support safe and structured parenting time

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jabari Brisport and 5 co-sponsors

Establishes a statewide, publicly funded supervised visitation program to ensure safe, accessible, and affordable visitation services in every county, with court integration and an

REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 9498

Overview

Bill S. 9498 (2025-2026, New York) proposes establishing a statewide supervised visitation initiative to support safe and structured parenting time. The measure is intended to ensure access to professionally supervised visitation in counties that lack such programs or have insufficient capacity, with an emphasis on safety, accessibility, and accountability.

Main purpose and intent

  • Create and fund a statewide program to provide professionally supervised visitation for families involved in family offense, child protective, and custody/visitation proceedings.
  • Ensure at least one supervised visitation program in every county that currently has none, and expand capacity in counties/cities with existing programs to meet demand.
  • Emphasize safety in cases involving family violence, mental health considerations, and other contexts where supervision supports the child’s best interests.

Key provisions and changes

  1. New statutory framework (Section 398-g of the Social Services Law)

    • Establishes a statewide supervised visitation initiative using grant funds allocated by the state.
    • Requires culturally sensitive services with language access and affordability (including fee waivers for those who cannot pay).

  2. Needs assessments and planning (annual reporting by counties)

    • Each county and New York City must submit:
      • Annual local needs assessments for supervised visitation services.
      • Plans to meet assessed needs, including data on usage and program effectiveness.
      • Details on services to be provided, estimated numbers of children/families served, anticipated fee waivers, and projected costs.
      • Possible arrangements for contracting with private non-profit organizations.
      • Consideration of multi-county programs when geographically feasible.
    • Plans are to be incorporated into the district-wide child welfare services plan (per section 409-d).

  3. Program operations and court integration

    • Programs must be available to comply with Supreme Court and Family Court orders that require supervision as a condition for access to children (temporary and final orders).
    • Programs must include fee waivers for income-constrained users.
    • Court reporting: where directed by the court, programs shall provide end-of-visitation reports and other court-directed reports.

  4. Regulatory and reporting requirements

    • Office of Victim Services will promulgate implementing regulations.
    • Annual reporting to the Legislature and Governor starting one year after the act’s effective date, with data on program operations, effectiveness, and recommendations for enhancement.

  5. Effective date

    • The act takes effect 180 days after becoming law.

Who is affected

  • Children and families involved in family court, protective services, and cases with family violence or mental health considerations, who require supervised visitation.
  • County and city governments responsible for needs assessments, planning, and reporting.
  • Office of Victim Services and Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (in consultation) overseeing administration, grant allocation, and regulatory implementation.
  • Potential service providers including state, county, and private non-profit organizations that may operate supervision programs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill directs the Office of Victim Services to implement and regulate the statewide initiative.
  • Counties and NYC must submit annual needs assessments and implementation plans; data collection on usage and effectiveness is required.
  • A one-year post-enactment reporting obligation to the legislature and governor, followed by annual reports.
  • The act becomes law 180 days after enactment; current action indicates referral to the Committee on Children and Families.

Notes for readers

  • The legislation prioritizes safety, accessibility (language and financial barriers), and scalability to address disparities in supervision availability across New York State.
  • It contemplates potential contracting with private non-profits and integration into existing district-wide child welfare planning.
  • Specific funding levels, program standards, and eligibility criteria would be articulated through regulations to be issued by the Office of Victim Services.

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

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