Human Services Legislative Scorecard
New York State
The Champions
The success of our work relies on strong advocates who are about the human services sector and the people we serve.
Thank you to all the champions in the State Assembly and Senate who are standing up for New Yorkers!
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Senator Ramos, as Labor Chair, has been a key ally in highlighting that human services workers who contract with the State are part of the workforce, and their wages are key to the success of New York’s economy. She is the champion and sponsor of S4675/A8937 (Wage Board legislation), which will investigate and give recommendations on adequate and equitable wages for the human services sector. This legislation is a key element in holding State agencies accountable for the low wages set on contracts, which prevents human services nonprofits from paying equitable wages.
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Senator Persaud has been a longtime champion of the nonprofit sector, supporting multiple investments and legislation to better the sector. She is the sponsor of key legislation, S7793A/A8437, to include all State nonprofit human services contracts under the COLA statute. It cures outdated language in the 2008 statute, a statute long dormant until COLA finally made its way into the budget three years ago. The Senator took on an issue of true equity, to adjust this language to ensure all human services programs and workers receive a COLA.
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Assembly Member Bronson became the Labor Chair last year, and one of his first acts was to sign on as a sponsor to S4675/A8937 (Wage Board legislation) which will investigate and give recommendations on adequate and equitable wages for the human services sector. His support was vital in keeping the bill active and demonstrates that human services are important across the State. He is a champion of nonprofits and the workforce that keeps New York communities safe and healthy.
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Assembly Member Hevesi, as the Chair of Social Services previously and now Children and Families, has been an advocate for a myriad of human services programs and funding streams. He was also the first legislator to support Statewide human services campaigns that over time became the #JustPay campaign. He is the Assembly sponsor for S7793A/A8437, where he lends his leadership and expertise to ensuring that human services workers and programs all receive a COLA.
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A persistent problem with contracting with government is late contract registration and payment. Nonprofits struggle when State agencies pay late, and this age-old problem can seem like a way of life. Assembly Member Paulin took on the task of changing that, by spending a remarkable amount of time wrestling with the State’s current Prompt Contracting Law, which unfortunately has not historically resulted in prompt payment. Her efforts led to the passage of S4877A/A2740B, waiting signature from the Governor to improve this law and provide relief to nonprofits who wait months and even years to see contract payments.
The Legislation
This year, our State electeds had the opportunity to support the human services sector on three major pieces of legislation, including…
Wage Board (S4675/A8937)
Introduced by Senator Ramos and Assembly Member Bronson, this legislation will create a formal board to investigate and offer reports and recommendations to the State legislature on how best to provide adequate and equitable wages for the human services sector.
COLA Expansion (S7793A/A8437)
Sponsored by Senator Persaud and Assembly Member Hevesi, this legislation aims to include all State nonprofit human services contracts under the cost-of-living statute. This has major implications for human services workers, who have experienced stagnant wages amidst skyrocketing cost-of-living in New York for far too long.
Prompt Contracting (S04877A/A02740B)
Introduced by Senator Mayer and Assembly Member Paulin, this legislation provides formal timelines and procedures for State agencies registering contracts with nonprofit providers. It also defines a “noncompliant State agency.” This legislation is meant to help address the chronic late payments and registration facing human services providers in New York.
