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

BILL NUMBER:S1321A

Title of bill

An act to amend the state finance law, the tax law, the abandoned property law and the civil practice law and rules, in relation to establishing the New York state seniors trust fund and directing certain moneys to be deposited into such fund

Purpose

Establishes the New York state seniors trust fund and directs certain moneys to be deposited into such fund.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Amends the state finance law by adding a new section, 99-v. 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, section 300 (1) by adding a new paragraph (a-1). Allows any amount determined to be the abandoned property of r 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 judgment, 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

Justification

This bill establishes the New York State Seniors Trust Fund in order o provide a source of additional funding for the home delivered meals program. Home delivered meals are a critical component in assisting the frail elderb to remain at home. The New York State personal income

tax form already provides an opportunity for taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to a variety of worthwhile causes. Horne 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.

Legislative history

2013: S.1321 - Referred to Finance/A.2522 - Referred to Aging 2012: S. 126A - Amend and recommit to Aging/A.9435 - Referred to Aging 2011: S.126 - Committee Discharged and Committed to Aging

Fiscal implications

The New York State Seniors Trust Fund will provide a source of add tional 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.