Int 1220-2013

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 a new section 21-136 to read as follows: � 21-136. Fair Access to Records. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings: 1. "Benefits center" shall mean any office operated by the New York city department of social services/human resources administration in which individuals and/or families may apply for and/or receive public assistance. 2. "Public assistance" shall mean safety net assistance and family assistance provided by the New York city department of social services/human resources administration. 3. "Case records" shall mean all written material concerning an applicant or recipient, including the application form, the case history, budget and authorization forms, medical, resource and financial records. b. The department shall provide any applicant or recipient of public assistance instantaneous access to his or her entire case records in all benefits centers at no cost via public computerized terminals. Such terminals shall be equipped to provide such applicant or recipient with a printout of the date, time and reason for his or her visit to the benefits center. �2. This local law shall take effect ninety days after it is enacted into law, provided that the commissioners may take any actions necessary prior to such effective date for the implementation of this local law including, but not limited to, the adoption of any necessary rules. LS #2491 PC 3/4/13