New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 18 - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Chapter II - Regulations of the Department of Social Services
Subchapter A - General Welfare
Article 1 - Program and Organization
Part 304 - Protection of Vulnerable Homeless Persons
Section 304.1 - Emergency Measures for the Homeless During Inclement Winter Weather

(1) work with police agencies, including the New York State Police, and state agencies to take all necessary steps to identify individuals reasonably believed to be homeless and unwilling or unable to find the shelter necessary for safety and health in inclement winter weather, and to direct and offer to move such individuals to the appropriate sheltered facilities;

(2) take all necessary steps to extend, or to have providers extend, shelter hours, to allow individuals experiencing homelessness to remain indoors;

(3) instruct homeless service outreach workers to work with other relevant personnel and to work with local police in relation to the involuntary transport of individuals who refuse to go inside and who appear to be mentally ill and at-risk for cold-related injuries to appropriate facilities for assessment consistent with the provisions of section 9.41 of the Mental Hygiene Law;

(4) work in coordination with the State Police and all police agencies to ensure that individuals facing homelessness receive assistance as needed to protect their health and safety; and

(5) ensure that all facilities used to shelter homeless individuals during periods of inclement winter weather are safe, clean, and well maintained and supervised, as required by state and local laws, regulations, administrative directives, and guidelines including local building and fire codes.