* § 459-b. Residential services for victims of domestic violence. In accordance with section one hundred thirty-one-u of this chapter and the regulations of the office of children and family services, a social services district shall offer and provide necessary and available emergency shelter and services for up to ninety days at a residential program for victims of domestic violence to a victim of domestic violence who was residing in the social services district at the time of the alleged domestic violence whether or not such victim is eligible for public assistance. Two forty-five day extensions of necessary and available emergency shelter may be granted beyond the maximum length of stay at a residential program for victims of domestic violence for residents who continue to be in need of emergency services and temporary shelter. If the victim of domestic violence has a service animal or therapy dog as such terms are defined in section 123-b and section 108 of the agriculture and markets law, respectively, such service animal or therapy dog shall be allowed to accompany the victim at the residential program authorized pursuant to this section.

* Effective until December 28, 2016

* § 459-b. Residential services for victims of domestic violence. In accordance with section one hundred thirty-one-u of this chapter and the regulations of the office of children and family services, a social services district shall offer and provide necessary and available emergency shelter and services for up to ninety days at a residential program for victims of domestic violence to a victim of domestic violence who was residing in the social services district at the time of the alleged domestic violence whether or not such victim is eligible for public assistance. Two forty-five day extensions of necessary and available emergency shelter may be granted beyond the maximum length of stay at a residential program for victims of domestic violence for residents who continue to be in need of emergency services and temporary shelter. If the victim of domestic violence has a service animal as such term is defined in section one hundred twenty-three-b of the agriculture and markets law, or therapy dog as such term is defined in section one hundred eight of the agriculture and markets law, respectively, such service animal or therapy dog shall be allowed to accompany the victim at the residential program authorized pursuant to this section, so long as such accompaniment would not create an undue burden as defined by section two hundred ninety-six of the executive law.

Where such accompaniment would constitute an undue burden, the residential program shall make reasonable efforts to facilitate placement of such animal at an off-site animal care facility or if reasonable efforts fail, provide referral to one or more off-site animal care facilities. Such off-site animal care may include, but not be limited to, boarding at a veterinary hospital or under the auspices of a duly incorporated humane society, or duly incorporated animal protection association approved for such purpose by the department of agriculture and markets.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any rights or obligations provided pursuant to federal or state law, including but not limited to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

* Effective December 28, 2016