What's happening
This bill requires the state aging office to develop an app and website covering aging services.
Why it matters
Statewide reach. The requirement applies to New York’s Office for the Aging and information about aging services and eligibility.
New digital duties. The bill expands the office’s existing information-clearinghouse role to include developing a mobile app and a compatible, comprehensive website platform.
Information, not benefits. The bill changes how service information is distributed; it does not expand services or change eligibility rules.
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Who cares
Older New Yorkers
They would have new digital tools for finding information about aging services and eligibility.
Family caregivers
They could use the app and website platform to research services for older relatives.
New York State Office for the Aging
It would be responsible for developing the app and website platform.
Headline styles
Require Aging Services App
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to aging
- Referred to aging
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1301
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 14, 2019
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 the duties of the office for the aging to provide certain information relating to services through electronic means
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 9 of section 202 of the elder law is amended to read as follows:
9. to serve as a clearinghouse for information relating to the needs of the aging including, but not limited to, the development of a mobile device application to distribute information related to aging services and eligibility, as well as a compatible and comprehensive platform on the office's website;
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06814-01-9
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 the duties of the office for the aging to provide certain information relating to services through electronic means
Purpose
To require the Office for the Aging to provide information related to aging services and eligibility on a mobile device application and on a compatible platform on the office's website.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Requires the Office for the Aging to offer information regarding aging services and eligibility on a mobile device application and on a compatible platform on the office's website.
Section 2: Establishes the effective date.
Justification
In May of last year, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) announced the development of an aging services mobile app that would connect older New Yorkers, as well as their families and caregivers, with live, local resources, such as local offices for the aging, senior centers, farmers' markets, caregiver services, Alzheimer's Association chapters, and more. The mobile app was made available for IOS and Android devices, however no corresponding web based platform was devel- oped, and some seniors have indicated that they have difficulty navigat- ing the office's website to find everything they are looking for. While the mobile app is certainly a positive step forward for connecting our increasingly tech-savvy seniors with these critical resources, some have bemoaned the lack of availability for those without a smartphone.
According to the Pew Research Center, a study found a little more than 40% of seniors own smartphones, which means more than half of the senior population is excluded from any resource offered solely on a mobile app. Of particular concern is the income disparity among seniors with regards to the possession of smartphones. The study found that while over 81% of seniors with a household income greater than $75,000 owned a smartphone, fewer than 30% of seniors with a household income below $50,000 owned one. This is especially problematic given that it is low-income seniors who are often in most need of these services.
By requiring NYSOFA to develop a compatible and comprehensive platform on the office's website to complement the information currently avail- able on the aging services mobile app, more seniors will have access to easy to find information and resources that will help them remain in their communities.
Legislative history
2018: S.7744 Advanced to Third Reading
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.