Establishes distinguished chairs in gerontological sciences

1 Co-sponsor

• William J. Larkin Jr.

BILL NUMBER:S1425

Title of bill

An act to amend the elder law, in relation to establishing distinguished chairs in gerontological sciences at educational, medical and/or research facilities

Summary of provisions

Adds a new Article 4 to the elder law, to create Distinguished Chairs in Gerontological Sciences, within amounts available by appropriation, at one or more research, educational, and/or medical facilities in this state. The funds provided must be matched by non-State funds.

The section establishes the responsibilities of the chairs, which are to conduct research, engage in educational and training activities, and provide clinical services, and establishes as purposes to develop;

1) excellence in geriatric medicine and clinical care with adherence to accepted standards of knowledge, foster and develop;

2) patient-centered training and education that is holistic and provides quality and coverage across the continuum of care; and

3) excellence in geriatric research with collaboration and linkages between research and training, across medical specialties and disciplines, health and social service professions, and among teaching hospitals and urban and rural practices, and across the continuum of care.

The chairs are required to develop a five year regional strategic plan for research, training and clinical care in their regions, and to work collaboratively with other regional and related institutions that will include basic science research, clinical research, applied research in geriatrics and gerontology as well as programmatic grants.

The bill establishes a selection committee to choose sites for the chairs composed of six persons appointed by the director of SOFA, and the following ex officio persons or their designates: the chancellor of the state university of New York, the chancellor of the city university of New York, the commissioner of the department of education, the commissioner of the department of health, and the chairs of the senate and of the assembly aging committees.

Chair occupants shall be appointed by the appropriate chancellors, commissioner, chief executive officer, or board, as appropriate, of the site institutions. The grant amount for each chair is $1 million, or less, if less is available by appropriation.

SOFA is to report annually to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the commissioner of health and the chairs of the senate and assembly aging committees concerning the

activities undertaken by the chairs, the expenditures of funds, and using an appropriate methodology for such measurement, the success of the chairs in meeting the goals and objections of this section.

Justification

The ability to attract the best researchers, clinicians, and educators in the country to work in academic and research settings in New York is key to the state's ability to deal effectively with the age-wave about to engulf us. New York should be at the cutting edge in research and transfer of knowledge.

Prior legislative history

S.6968A: 2007-08, Referred to Aging, Committed to Rules & Finance, Passed Senate S.2006: 2009-10, Referred to Aging, Committed to Finance

Fiscal implications

None in the current fiscal year; subsequent impact is limited to appropriation.

Effective date

April 1, next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.