What's happening
This bill authorizes the creation of a support program for grandparents and older relatives caring for children in New York.
Why it matters
Addresses a growing demographic. Many grandparents and older relatives are stepping in as primary caregivers due to issues like parental substance abuse, incarceration, or death; this program seeks to formally support their unique needs.
Expands access to support services. By authorizing resource centers and improving information, counseling, and referral services, the bill aims to reduce confusion and isolation among older caregivers navigating complex legal, educational, or health systems.
Potentially improves outcomes for children. By aiding caregivers with training, technical assistance, and access to services, the legislation may help stabilize family situations and better ensure the well-being of children in nontraditional caregiving arrangements.
Targets gaps in existing programs. Current child welfare or senior support structures may not adequately serve grandparent-led households; this bill attempts to fill those gaps and provide tailored resources for these families.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Support for Grandparent Caregivers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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.
Support for Grandparent Caregivers
In Senate Committee · Aging · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
993
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. D. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to authorizing the state office for the aging to implement a caregiver support program for grandparents and other older relatives who are caring for children
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The elder law is amended by adding a new section 225 to read as follows:
§ 225. Grandparent caregiver support program. 1. The director is hereby authorized and directed, to the extent appropriations are available therefor, to develop and establish a grandparent caregiver support program for the purpose of providing support services to grandparents or other older adult relative caregivers who are providing primary care for a child.
2. Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
(a) "grandparent or other older adult relative caregivers" shall mean a grandparent or stepgrandparent of a child or a relative of a child by blood or marriage who:
(i) is sixty years of age or older, and
(ii) lives with the child, and
(iii) provides primary care for the child because the biological or adoptive parents are unwilling or unable to serve as the primary caregiver of the child, and
(iv) is the custodian or guardian of the child, or is raising the child informally.
(b) "child" shall mean an individual who is eighteen years of age or younger.
3. The grandparent caregiver support program may include, but is not limited to:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01029-01-9
A. 993 2
(a) the creation of grandparent caregiver resource centers by local offices for the aging in New York state,
(b) technical assistance and training for grandparent and other older adult relative caregivers support groups,
(c) information and referral for grandparent and other older adult relative caregivers,
(d) assistance to grandparents and other older adult relative caregivers in gaining access to available services,
(e) counseling to grandparents and other older adult relative caregivers in making decisions and solving problems relating to their caregiving roles, and
(f) the publication and dissemination of printed material related to services available to grandparents and other older adult relative caregivers.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.