A 7948 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to state financial aid for library social work services

Summary

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.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Apr 16, 2025 Last action Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A7948 → A7948A · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to convert a permanent funding mandate into a three-year pilot program, requiring competitive grants instead of automatic approval. This change adds flexibility to test the initiative while ensuring funds are only awarded to libraries in economically disadvantaged communities that demonstrate specific community needs.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a permanent state aid provision to a temporary pilot program limited to three years, with funding distributed through a competitive grant process rather than automatic allocation.

TIMELINE

The legislation is now a three-year pilot program rather than a permanent statutory requirement.

FISCAL

Funding is now distributed via competitive grants subject to appropriation, replacing the previous automatic award structure.

ELIGIBILITY

Grants are explicitly limited to public libraries and library systems located in or containing economically disadvantaged communities.

DEFINITION

The bill now allows grants to cover contracts with local social services departments or non-profits, not just direct hiring of social workers.

REQUIREMENT

Application requirements were simplified and consolidated, removing specific distinctions between single social worker and supervisor applications.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 7948A

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION

lower

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors