What's happening
This bill requires language access and communication assistance for seniors and people with disabilities in the property tax abatement program.
Why it matters
Improves equity in access. by requiring translation of essential documents (like forms and instructions) into the six most commonly spoken non-English languages for applicants with limited English proficiency, making it easier for diverse senior and disabled populations to understand and apply for property tax abatements.
Mandates interpretation services. applicants can request assistance in their primary language when interacting with the administering agency, which can prevent miscommunication and reduce barriers for non-English speakers seeking benefits.
Expands support to those with disabilities. by obligating agencies to provide communication assistance (such as for deafness, blindness, speech impediments, or cognitive impairments), ensuring that those with additional challenges aren’t excluded from needed tax relief programs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Language Access for Seniors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to aging
- Referred to aging
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2350
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PICHARDO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Aging
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
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 467-b of the real property tax law is amended by adding a new paragraph j to read as follows:
j. the entity responsible for the administration of the tax abatement program shall develop and implement a plan to ensure adequate access to information by individuals who have limited English proficiency or otherwise require communication assistance. Such entity shall:
(1) translate necessary documents, including but not limited to, forms and instructions provided to or completed by the program beneficiaries or participants, into the six most common non-English languages spoken by individuals with limited-English proficiency in the municipality that offers this program pursuant to subdivision two of this section;
(2) offer, upon request, interpretation services between the entity administering the program and an individual in his or her primary language with respect to the provision of services or benefits; and
(3) offer, upon request or demonstrated need, services to an individual who requires additional assistance due to partial or total deafness, blindness, speech impediment, or cognitive impairment.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the amendments to subdivision 3 of section 467-b of the real property tax law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration and reversion of such section and shall be deemed to expire therewith.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05990-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.