Directs the division of veterans' affairs to establish and operate an electronic database of the number of openings in each of the 5 state veterans' homes and the number of persons on the waiting lists

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, the public health law and the education law, in relation to directing the division of veterans' affairs to establish and operate a publicly accessible electronic database of the availability of openings for admission to state veterans' homes

Purpose

This bill directs the Division of Veterans' Affairs to establish and operate an electronic database of the number of available openings in each of the five state veterans' homes and the number of persons on each waiting list.

Summary of provisions

Section one amends section 353 of the executive law, regarding the powers and duties of the Division of Veterans' Affairs, to require the Division, in cooperation with the Department of Health and the State University of New York, to establish and operate an electronic database, accessible to the public, which provides the number of available openings or eligible individuals at each state run veterans' home. The database shall also provide the number of eligible individuals who are on the waiting list for admission. The Division, the Department of Health and the State University of New York shall jointly ensure that the information posted on the electronic database is maintained and updated on a real time basis as such information changes.

Section two establishes a new section 2636 of the public health law which directs the Department of Health to fully cooperate with the Division of Veterans' Affairs to establish and operate the electronic database, and provide information relating to the state veterans' homes operated by the Department.

Section three amends section 355 of the education law, regarding the powers and duties of the State University of New York, to direct the State University to fully cooperate with the Division of Veterans' Affairs to establish and operate the electronic database, and provide information relating to the Long Island state veterans' home at the State University of New York at Stony Brook to the Division on a real time basis.

Section four establishes the effective date.

Justification

According to 2014 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, New York State has the fifth largest veterans population in the country, with more than half of those veterans being sixty-five years of age and older. With such a large aging veterans population it is imperative that the proper services are available in order to care for these individuals in their later years. The five state run veterans' homes are experts in providing such care; however, oftentimes it is difficult to navigate the state run system. This bill seeks to aid the aging veteran population and their caregivers by providing a simple mechanism to allow individuals to check available space, or the extent of the waitlist, at each of the five state run veterans homes. With this information elderly veterans, and their caregivers, can make more informed decisions regarding long-term care options. Providing this information is just a small step the State can take in helping our aging veteran population secure the health care services they have valiantly earned.

Legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implications

To be determined

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Provided, however that, effective immediately, any actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.