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Sponsors
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History
- Referred to aging
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1845
- Referred to rules
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law and the executive law, in relation to creating a statewide central register of elder abuse and maltreatment reports and the elder justice coordinating council
Purpose or general idea of bill
Creates a statewide central register of elder abuse and maltreatment reports and the elder justice coordinating council.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends the social services law to add a new article 9-C to establish a statewide central register of elder abuse and maltreatment reports. The bill defines "abused or maltreated elder" and "caregiver" for purposes of the central register. Pursuant to the bill, the central register would be established in the office of children and family services and would be charged with receiving allegations of elder abuse or maltreatment. The bill would also establish mandated reporters responsible for reporting suspected incidents of elder abuse or maltreatment.
Read the full memo (654 words)
Section 2 of the bill amends the executive law to add a new article 28 establishing the Elder Justice Coordinating Council. The Council would be responsible for interagency planning and review of elder abuse initiatives in the state. Among other things, the Council would be responsible for conducting community forums to gather information relating to a New York state plan for the identification, investigation, and intervention into cases of elder abuse and maltreatment.
Justification
Unfortunately, elder abuse and maltreatment have become a pervasive and devastating reality for many of our nation's senior citizens. Over time, states have begun to respond to the increase in prevalence of these crimes through the establishment of state registries and mandated reporting procedures in suspected instances of abuse, neglect and exploitation. To date, New York is the only state that has not implemented any professional reporting requirements. As our population ages, and these cases continue to come to the forefront, it is time that we establish a comprehensive system to address these cases in a timely, responsible manner.
National experts have reported that elder abuse awareness lags behind the fields of child abuse and domestic violence by as much as two decades. This shortage of awareness, coupled with the fact that elder abuse is one of the most underreported crimes in the nation, has meant that the landscape of intervention and prosecution for these crimes has shown a significant lack of comprehensiveness and coordination. In part, the nature of elder abuse crimes exacerbates these issues. Victims often experience elder abuse from loved ones, friends, or neighbors and will refuse help due to fear, embarrassment, or the desire to protect their abuser. This can lead to the continuation of abuse that can compromise financial, physical, and mental well-being and has been shown to increase mortality rates.
Given the seriousness of these crimes, and the impact that they can have on the lives of seniors in New York State, it is imperative that a comprehensive state plan for the recognition of, and intervention into, cases of suspected elder abuse is established. This bill will create an Elder Justice Coordinating Council that will convene experts and stakeholders in important discussions of their current experiences regarding elder abuse cases and recommendations going forward. In addition, the Coordinating Council will be responsible for developing guidance related to the implementation of a statewide registry and mandated reporting system in 2018. As the last state in the nation to create a reporting system, it is vital that we ensure that the system we establish draws on the lessons learned in other states, and builds an infrastructure that addresses the seriousness of the issues raised in cases of elder abuse and maltreatment in a timely and effective manner.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Subject to appropriation
Effective date
This act shall take effect October 1, 2016; provided that section one of this act shall take effect January 1, 2018.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.