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History
- Print number 5607a
- Amend and recommit to health
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Directs the commissioner of health to establish a schedule of reasonable maximum allowable charges for the use, maintenance and repair of air conditioners used by residents of adult homes
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor James F. Brennan
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5607A
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to establishing a fee schedule for the use, maintenance and repair of air conditioners in adult homes
Summary of specific provisions
1. Amends section 461-q of the Social Services Law. Authorizes and directs the Commissioner of Health to establish maximum charges for the use, maintenance and repair of air conditioners used by individual residents, except for those air conditioners paid for through the EnAble program, to ensure that charges for the use, maintenance and repair of such air conditions are not unreasonable or excessive. That program bars the operator from charging for the use, repair or maintenance of the units.
2. Effective Date
Existing law
Current law requires the Commissioner of Health to promulgate rules and regulations regarding temperature standards in adult homes, enriched housing and residences for adults.
Justification
Most residents in adult homes, enriched housing programs or residences for adults have very meager allowances for personal items for their own comfort. In the summer, in very hot, stuffy rooms, these residents can often fall ill from the heat if they do not have air conditioning. Many take medications which exacerbate the effects of the heat, making the need for air conditioning a medical issue.
The State, with some extra incentives, has encouraged the adult homes to purchase air conditioners. But some of them have charged residents exorbitant fees for running the air conditioners even after they get them. This bill would direct the commissioner of health to set maximum charges, taking into consideration the price of electricity, while preventing the cost from making it impossible for residents to use the air conditioners.
The amended version of this bill clarifies, but does not change the purpose of this bill.
Prior legislative history
2013: S 5607 Referred to Health Committee/ A.4306- Passed Assembly 2012: S.403A-Amended and Recommitted to Consumer Protection/A 315A- Passed Assembly 2011 S.403-Committee Discharged and Committed to Consumer Protection/A.315-Passed Assembly 2010: S.6932-Died on 3'd Rdg Calendar/A.5681A - Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications to state and local government
None.
Effective date
90 days after enactment.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.