File #: Int 1641-2019    Version: * Name: Maximizing efficiency at department of social services/human resources administration centers.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on General Welfare
On agenda: 7/23/2019
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to maximizing efficiency at department of social services/human resources administration centers
Sponsors: Stephen T. Levin, Alicka Ampry-Samuel
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would require all job centers and SNAP centers to have an expediter on site at all times in which clients are being served or waiting to be served. Expediters would be tasked with checking-in clients, performing a preliminary review of clients’ documents to ensure clients have all necessary documents, and directing clients to the appropriate line or waiting area. This bill would also require all such centers to be equipped with digital displays and an audio amplifier. This bill would also implement a queue management system at every job center and SNAP center. Such system shall allow clients to check-in for each particular service. The system will inform clients how many clients are ahead of them in the queue and the approximate time that they may expect to be called to begin an appointment for each service.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1641, 2. Int. No. 1641, 3. July 23, 2019 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 7-23-19, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - July 23, 2019, 6. Committee Report 9/15/21, 7. Hearing Testimony 9/15/21, 8. Hearing Transcript 9/15/21
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2021*Stephen T. Levin City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
9/15/2021*Stephen T. Levin Committee on General Welfare Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
9/15/2021*Stephen T. Levin Committee on General Welfare Laid Over by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
7/23/2019*Stephen T. Levin City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
7/23/2019*Stephen T. Levin City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Int. No. 1641

 

By Council Members Levin and Ampry-Samuel

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to maximizing efficiency at department of social services/human resources administration centers

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding new sections 21-142, 21-143, and 21-144 to read as follows:

21-142 Expediters at job centers and SNAP centers. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Client. The term “client” means a visitor who has made initial contact with the department at a job center or SNAP center.

Expediter. The term “expediter” means an employee of the department tasked with checking-in clients, performing a preliminary review of clients’ paperwork to determine if clients have all necessary documents, and directing clients to the appropriate line or waiting area.

Job center. The term “job center” means any location designated by the department as a job center where individuals can complete an application for cash assistance in person.

SNAP center. The term “SNAP center” means any location designated by the department as a SNAP center where individuals can complete an application for the supplemental nutrition assistance program in person.

b. Every job center and SNAP center shall have an expediter on site during all times in which clients are being served or are waiting to be served.

21-143 Digital displays and audio amplifiers at job centers and SNAP centers. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Audio amplifier. The term “audio amplifier” means an electronic device that is used to increase the volume of a sound.

Digital display. The term “digital display” means an electronic device that is capable of representing information in visual form.

Job center. The term “job center” means any location designated by the department as a job center where individuals can complete an application for cash assistance in person.

SNAP center. The term “SNAP center” means any location designated by the department as a SNAP center where individuals can complete an application for the supplemental nutrition assistance program in person.

b. Every job center and SNAP center shall be equipped with a functioning audio amplifier that ensures that announcements being made can be heard throughout the entire job center or SNAP center. Such audio amplifiers shall be used to make all announcements during all times in which clients are being served or are waiting to be served.

c. Every job center and SNAP center shall be equipped with enough functioning digital displays such that a digital display is visible in all waiting areas. Such digital displays shall be used during all times in which clients are being served or are waiting to be served.

§ 21-144 Queue management system at job centers and SNAP centers. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Client. The term “client” means a visitor who has made initial contact with the department at a job center or SNAP center, either through a self-service kiosk or with a staff member responsible for keeping track of visitors.

Job center. The term “job center” means any location designated by the department as a job center where individuals can complete an application for cash assistance in person.

SNAP center. The term “SNAP center” means any location designated by the department as a SNAP center where individuals can complete an application for the supplemental nutrition assistance program in person.

b. The department shall implement a queue management system at every job center and SNAP center. Such system shall allow clients to check-in for each requested service upon arrival. Such system shall notify clients how many other clients are ahead in the queue for each requested service and the approximate time that their appointment for each requested service will begin.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AM

LS #10304/10305/10306

5/16/19