Int 1121-2026

Proposed Int. No. 1121-A By Council Member Riley, Farías, Thomas-Henry, Lee, Restler, Louis and Narcisse A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a program to support youth in entering education or obtaining employment after release from the custody of the administration for children’s services or criminal incarceration Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Chapter 3 of title 9 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 9-313 to read as follows: § 9-313 Education and employment for criminal justice involved youth. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings: Eligible youth. The term “eligible youth” means an individual aged 13 years old to 24 years old who is in the custody of the department of correction after having served a period of criminal incarceration, in the custody of the New York state department of corrections and community supervision, is in the custody of the administration for children's services, or has been released from any the custody of any such agency. Placement. The term “placement” means the temporary care and maintenance of adjudicated youth held away from their homes pursuant to article 3 of the family court act. Program participant. The term “program participant” means an eligible youth who elects to participate in the program established by this section. b. Program established. By August 1, 2027, the office shall establish a program to support eligible youth in obtaining employment or entering educational programs, including vocational training or an apprenticeship, upon release from the custody of the department of correction, the New York state department of corrections and community supervision, or the administration for children’s services. Such program will provide support to eligible youth to identify education and employment opportunities, and to apply to such opportunities. Such program shall: 1. Perform outreach to eligible youth starting up to 90 days before release, where practicable, and continue support for program participants at least 6 months post-release; 2. Advise program participants regarding academic and workforce options, credit transfer, tutoring, enrollment requirements, transportation, technology access, and post-release employment navigation for education and employment opportunities; and 3. Help program participants address practical barriers to participating in an education or employment opportunity, such as missing identification or transcripts, financial aid applications, transportation, technology access, and other enrollment-related requirements. b. Enrollment. The office shall make best efforts to enroll eligible youth into the program while they remain in the custody of the department of correction, the New York state department of corrections and community supervision, or the administration for children’s services. c. Coordination. The office shall coordinate with the department of correction and the administration for children’s services to track the education and employment outcomes of eligible youth, including whether eligible youth are referred to relevant post-release services, earn a degree or credential, or obtain employment after release. Relevant agencies, including the department of correction, shall share with the office the data necessary to produce the reports required pursuant to this section. d. Reporting. No later than February 1 of each year, the office shall provide to the speaker of the council and post on the office’s website a report on outcomes for program participants after 90 days in an education or employment opportunity, including credits earned, credentials obtained, apprenticeship participation, employment placement, employment retention, and other relevant outcomes. e. Program evaluation. No later than July 1 of each year, the office shall evaluate program utilization outcomes, costs, and equity measures through a review of the demographic information of program participants, the educational and employment outcomes, the utilization of financial aid, the expenditures of the program, the capacity of the programs, and barriers to participation in the program, as well as any measures deemed appropriate by the office. § 2. This local law takes effect immediately. JGP LSR #23934 10/19/2026 12:06 PM