Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to make available skimming warning signs in various languages

Latest action Jan 7, 2026

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to make available skimming warning signs in English and in the twelve languages most commonly spoken by limited English proficient individuals in the state; requires the department of social services to make available information regarding the state food stamp outreach program in English and in the twelve languages most commonly spoken by limited English proficient individuals in the state.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

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

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Amends the Social Services Law.

Committee

Social Services · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Social Services · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency are adequately informed about food stamp programs and electronic benefit transfer (EBT) scams by requiring the Department of Social Services and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to create signs and public assistance information in the twelve most commonly spoken languages in New York State.

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

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateJun 10, 2025Result: passed
(57) (1) (0) (5)
Vote: Committee vote · Rules
Senate RulesJun 4, 2025Result: passed
(20) (0) (0) (1)

Cosponsors

Robert Jackson

Democratic1

Robert Jackson

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why John Liu says this is needed

Skimming scams targeting EBT cards have surged in recent years, often depriving vulnerable New Yorkers of the essential benefits they rely on for food and basic needs. Immigrant and limited English proficient communities are particularly at risk due to language barriers that prevent them from understanding warning notices and protective actions. This bill builds on existing efforts to combat EBT fraud by mandating that critical warning signs and program materials are available in the twelve most commonly spoken languages in New York State. Making this information linguistically accessible will increase awareness, enhance fraud prevention, and promote equitable access to public assistance. Ensuring that all residents - regardless of language proficiency - are informed of the risks and protections related to EBT usage is a matter of both consumer protection and social equity.

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.

Full history

Jan 7, 2026
Died in Assembly
DIED IN ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Senate
Jun 10, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Jun 10, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Jun 10, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Assembly

Show full history (3 earlier events)

Jun 4, 2025
In committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate
Jun 4, 2025
Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1561
ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1561
NY Senate
May 14, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 3, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

Your position