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Senate bill · S10589 (2025-26)

Changes the name of the office of temporary and disability assistance to the office of economic security

Latest action Jun 2, 2026

New York State Senate

Sponsor

Roxanne J. Persaud

State Senator, District 19 · Democratic

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Summary

Changes the name of the office of temporary and disability assistance to the office of economic security.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 23, 2026. About our data

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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Section 1 of the bill would amend 122(a)(2) of Part B of Chapter 436 of the Laws of 1997 (the Welfare Reform Act) to change the name of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to the Office of Economic Security. Section 2 of the bill would notwithstand any other provision of law to the contrary to provide that whenever the term "office of temporary and disability assistance" appears in the consolidated or unconsolidated laws or regulations of this State, that such term shall be deemed to mean "office of economic security." Section 3 of the bill would notwithstand any other provision of law to the contrary to provide that whenever the term "commissioner of tempo- rary and disability assistance" appears in the consolidated or unconsol- idated laws or regulations of this State, that such term shall be deemed to mean "commissioner of economic security." Section 4 of the bill would provide that whenever the former New York State Department of Social Services or the Office of Temporary and Disa- bility Assistance is referred to in laws, contracts, publications, guid- ance and other documents pertaining to the functions, powers, obli- gations and duties of that department transferred by Part B of Chapter 436 of the Laws of 1997 to such office, such references will be deemed to refer to the Office of Economic Security or the Commissioner thereof. Section 5 of the bill would provide that no existing right or remedy of any character would be lost, impaired or affected by reason of this act. Section 6 would enact a severability clause to provide that if one component of the law was adjudged to be invalid that it would not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of the bill's provisions. Section 7 of the bill would provide a 120-day effective date to legally change the agency's name to the Office of Economic Security, and the agency would subsequently update such items as signage, forms, and systems over time.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Social Services · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Social Services · New York State Senate.

The sponsor's argument

Why Roxanne J. Persaud says this is needed

The name "Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance" was created following enactment of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104193), which sought to define "assistance" as only temporary or targeted to individuals with disabilities and to disconnect the assistance programs from services. This characterization could be stigmatizing to vulnerable New Yorkers who are seeking, among other things, assistance for obtaining employ- ment, improving nutrition, and accessing opportunities to obtain stable housing. The proposed new Office name would be welcoming and empowering and would better reflect the agency's direction under Governor Hochul, which is to proactively support low-income households in a non-stigma- tizing manner so they can attain and maintain their economic security. No one should feel shame or embarrassment when seeking assistance and opportunities to improve one's life and the lives of their children or dependents. Changing the name will also reduce confusion by members of the public who frequently assume the work of the agency includes the responsibilities of the Office for People with Developmental Disabili- ties.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Recorded votes

  • Vote: Committee vote · Rules

    Senate RulesJun 2, 2026Result: passed

    (18) (2) (0) (1)

  • Vote: Floor vote

    NY SenateJun 2, 2026Result: passed

    (54) (7) (0) (2)

Full history

  1. Jun 2, 2026

    In committee

    COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

    NY Senate

  2. Jun 2, 2026

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    NY Senate

  3. Jun 2, 2026

    Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1597

    ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1597

    NY Senate

  4. Jun 2, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

  5. May 27, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES

    NY Senate