Allows prospective and current agency personnel receive certification through remote training methods
This bill allows social services workers, including those in child welfare, to complete required training courses using remote or distance learning methods instead of attending in-person classes. It authorizes counties to adopt local rules permitting this remote format for most training requirements, provided the online courses verify that participants are present and can interact with instructors. The change applies to prospective and current personnel involved in foster care, adoption, and preventive services, effective immediately upon passage.
Bill status
in committee
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 21, 2025
Last action Jun 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
S5437
→
S5437A
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends the Social Services Law to allow child welfare training courses to be completed through remote or distance learning methods, provided participants can prove attendance and interact with instructors. The change expands flexibility for agencies and counties to deliver training without requiring in-person sessions, while maintaining specific requirements for engagement. It also updates the bill's procedural status to reflect committee actions and adjusts the effective date of the law.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on child welfare personnel training, but the applicability of the training delivery method has expanded to include remote options for specific courses.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new provision allowing training courses to be completed via distance learning starting April 1, 2027, as long as participants can demonstrate attendance and ask questions.
ELIGIBILITY
Authorized counties to adopt local laws allowing their social services departments to fulfill training requirements through distance learning, excluding annual in-service training.
TIMELINE
Changed the bill's effective date from 'ninety days after becoming law' to 'immediately' and updated the remote training start date to April 1, 2027.
TECHNICAL
Updated the bill's header and procedural text to reflect that it was reported favorably from the Committee on Children and Families and recommitted to the Committee on Finance.
Floor votes · Senate May 12, 2026
How they voted
20–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 22
May 12, 2026
D
Democratic15
93% Yea
R
Republican7
85% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
3
Committee
6
Amendments
2
May 12, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (20-0-2)
senate
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 5437A
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO FINANCE
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
upper
Jun 13, 2025
Committee
COMMITTED TO RULES
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
REFERENCE CHANGED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Cordell Cleare
DDemocratic
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