Allows persons 62 years or older in any housing project to keep common household pets

BILL NUMBER:S3117

Title of bill

An act to amend the public housing law, in relation to the keeping of certain household pets by persons sixty-two years of age or older

Purpose or general idea of bill

To provide that persons 62 years of age or older be allowed to care for a common household pet and not be denied occupancy in municipal housing.

Summary of specific provisions

The public housing law is amended by adding a new section 223-c to provide that: 1) no person 62 years of age or older may be denied municipal housing on the grounds that such person has a common household pet; 2) such person must comply with regulations governing the keeping of such pets, including waste disposal, registration, inoculations, providing for alternate caretakers, among others; 3) any pet who poses a nuisance to the community may be removed; 4) the owner will not be financially responsible for any reasonable repair or replacement costs attributable to the pet.

Justification

Medical studies have clearly demonstrated the health benefits, both physical and emotional, that pets provide elderly persons and the serious health problems that such persons could develop if the pets are removed. Clearly, the mental and physical well-being of elderly persons should not be placed in jeopardy merely because they have pets. New York State presently puts elderly persons in the difficult position of either being denied occupancy because they own a pet (a denial which only comes after months of waiting by the senior citizen for public housing) or, after living in public housing for some time with the pet, being threatened with eviction lest they give up the pet. This is due to the public housing authorities' unwillingness to allow our senior citizens to keep pets.

Elderly people, often living alone, should not be denied the companionship of an animal and the added security that an animal can provide them, particularly during these times when violent crimes are increasing.

Thousands of strays and unwanted animals for whom responsible homes cannot be found are euthanized by shelters throughout New York State each year.

This legislation is consistent with federal regulations for federally assisted housing for the elderly stating that discrimination against elderly pet owners is illegal.

Prior legislative history

2009-2010: A.188 - Referred to Housing 2007-2008: A.160 - Referred to Housing 2005-2006: A.580 - Referred to Housing

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of June in the year next succeeding the year in which it shall have become a law, provided that any regulations required for the implementation of this act shall be promulgated at least 30 days prior to such effective date.