Relates to establishing the New York state seniors trust fund and directing certain moneys to be deposited into such fund

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Amends the State Finance Law by adding a new Section 99-u. Establishes the New York state seniors trust fund. Provides that such fund shall be in the joint custody of the state comptroller and the commissioner of taxation and finance. Requires that the appropriation and allocation of moneys deposited into the fund is only upon the approval of the director of the state office for the aging. Describes how moneys of the fund shall be paid out.

Section 2. Amends the Tax Law by adding a new section 629-a. Establishes the Gift for New York state seniors trust fund. Allows New York State taxpayers to make a voluntary one dollar contribution to such fund on the New York State personal income tax form. Provides that such contribution shall be used to fund the home delivered meals program administered by the New York state office for the aging.

Section 3. Amends the Abandoned Property Law section 1315(4). Allows checks or drafts issued by New York state to a person sixty-five years of age or older that are unpaid after one year to be deposited into the New York State Seniors Trust Fund.

Section 4. Amends the Abandoned Property Law subdivision 1 by adding a new paragraph (a-1). Allows any amount determined to be the abandoned property of a person sixty-five years of age or old to be deposited into the New York State Seniors Trust Fund.

Section 5. Amends the Civil Practice Law and Rules section 904 (c). Provides that in an action seeking a monetary judgement, a notice seeking such judgment shall include space to allow a voluntary contribution to the New York State Seniors Trust Fund.

Section 6. Amends the Civil Practice Law and rules by adding a new section 905-a. Provides that when a monetary judgment has been awarded, a voluntary contribution from such judgment may be made to the New York State Seniors Trust Fund.

Section 7. Effective Date

Existing law

None.

Justification

This bill establishes the New York State Seniors Trust Fund in order to provide a source of additional funding for the home delivered meals program. The New York State personal income tax form already provides an opportunity for taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to a variety of worthwhile causes. Home delivered meals for senior citizens should be one of those causes for which voluntary contributions can be made through a tax check-off on the New York State personal income tax form.

Home delivered meals are a critical component in assisting the frail elderly to remain at home. However, there are seniors currently on waiting lists to receive these meals. Waiting lists for home delivered meals are not required to be reported to the New York State Office for the Aging. However, recent changes to this program in New York City revealed that there are about 1,200 older adults ages 60 and over on waiting lists to receive the meals. Given that New York City represents 39% of the states older adult population, we can infer the statewide waiting lists to be about 3,100.

Legislative history

2011: S.126 - Discharged from Finance and Committed to Aging 2010: S.6209A - Amend and Recommit to Finance

Fiscal implications

The New York State Seniors Trust Fund will provide a source of additional funding for the home delivered meals program administered by the New York State Office for the Aging

Effective date

90 days after it shall have become law