Relates to providing language access services to individuals relating to the tax abatement program

BILL NUMBER:S4789

Title of bill

An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to providing language access services to individuals relating to the tax abatement program for rent-controlled and rent-regulated property occupied by senior citizens or persons with disabilities

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would require municipalities that have the senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE) and disabled rent increase exemption (DRIE) program to ensure that individuals who have difficulty speaking or understanding English would have the same opportunity to participate in the SCRIE/DRIE program as other individuals.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1. This bill would require municipalities that offer the SCRIE/DRIE program to develop and implement a plan to make sure that individuals who have trouble speaking or understanding English have adequate access to the program. This plan would include:

1) Translation of necessary documents into the six most common non-English languages spoken in the municipality;

2) Provision of interpretive services upon request; and

3) Provision of assistive services upon request or demonstrated need to individuals who require such assistance due to partial or total deafness, blindness, speech impediment, or cognitive impairment.

Section 2. Effective Date

Justification

New York City contains a vibrant array of cultures and ethnicities across the boroughs. All of these communities have senior citizens on fixed incomes that would benefit from participation in the SCRIE program. Many of these individuals speak languages other than English. It is unacceptable for seniors in need to be denied access to such an important program because they cannot understand the forms or cannot readily speak with agency staff.

While some strides have been made to correct this disparity, with all of the services and technology available, the municipalities can do more. Any senior who is eligible, regardless of their language or assistance needs, should have the opportunity to participate in the SCRIE program.

It is vital that municipalities make this kind of inclusiveness a priority.

Prior legislative history

2012: S7203: Referred to Aging and committed to Finance A9213: Passed Assembly

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

Immediately.