What's happening
This bill requires the State Office for the Aging to include reports on older adults as caregivers of minors and on substance use disorders among older adults in its annual reports.
Why it matters
Highlights overlooked caregiving roles. By requiring detailed reports on older adults serving as primary caregivers or guardians for minors, the bill brings attention to an often invisible population, potentially driving better support and policy tailored to their unique challenges.
Addresses gaps in services. The mandated analysis of available and needed services for both older caregivers and those with substance use disorders can reveal where current state support falls short, informing resource allocation and future program development.
Focuses on evidence-based recommendations. By requiring recommendations in both new reporting areas, the bill pushes the Office for the Aging to propose actionable solutions, which could shape future legislative or administrative action to better serve affected older adults.
Elevates substance use issues in older adults. Including substance use disorder data and analysis in annual reports acknowledges a growing but under-recognized problem in aging populations, helping destigmatize the issue and prompting more targeted interventions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Track Older Caregivers, Substance Abuse
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to aging
- Referred to aging
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.
Track Older Caregivers, Substance Abuse
In Senate Committee · Aging · Sponsor Donna Lupardo
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6079
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. SERINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to requiring the state office for the aging to include reports on older adults who are primary caregivers or guardians of minors and on substance use disorders among older adults in such office's annual reports to the governor and legislature
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 213 of the elder law is amended by adding two new paragraphs (l) and (m) to read as follows:
(l) a report on the number of older adults who are primary caregivers or guardians of minors including prevalence by age range, circumstances that lead to older adults becoming primary caregivers or guardians to minors, an analysis of what services are available through the office and other state agencies to assist these older adult primary caregivers and guardians, and recommendations regarding support for older adults who are primary caregivers or guardians for minor children.
(m) a report on substance use disorders among older adults including prevalence of substance use disorders, what programs and services are available from or in conjunction with the office, an analysis of what services are needed to assist older adults dealing with substance use disorders, and recommendations regarding how the office can assist and participate in efforts to assist older adults dealing with substance use disorders.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09714-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the elder law, in relation to requiring the state office for the aging to include reports on older adults who are primary caregivers or guardians of minors and on substance use disorders among older adults in such office's annual reports to the governor and legislature
Purpose or general idea of bill
To ensure that two additional areas of importance to the State's older adult population are being considered by the Office for the Aging
Summary of specific provisions
This bill adds two reporting provisions to the requirements for the Office for the Aging annual report:
1. The number of older adults who are primary caregivers or guardians for minors, including analyses of circumstances that lead to this arrangement, services available for older adults in these circumstances, and recommendations; and
2. An analysis of substance use disorders among older adults including prevalence, available programs and services, and recommendations.
Justification
The Office for the Aging's annual report covers many areas of interest to older adults and those who create legislation to help them. The two additional reporting areas added by the legislation are gaining prominence, but more attention is needed to ensure that adequate and appropriate programs and services can be made available.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.