What's happening
This bill requires sexual orientation and gender identity training for employees serving older adults and updates intake forms to reflect current standards.
Why it matters
Mandates specialized training for staff serving older adults. By requiring employees to complete training on sexual orientation and gender identity issues, the bill aims to address gaps in knowledge that often lead to unintentional discrimination or inadequate care for LGBTQIA+ seniors.
Focuses on real-world application and respect for privacy. Training must include practical tools for direct care and emphasize the reasons some older adults may not self-identify, acknowledging the history of stigma and the importance of fostering trust and confidentiality.
Requires regular updates to intake forms in partnership with advocates. Intake procedures will be modernized in consultation with LGBTQIA+ older adult advocates, ensuring ongoing sensitivity to evolving terminology, identities, and best practices—helping ensure older adults are treated with dignity and their preferences respected.
Aims to improve service quality and inclusivity in aging services. By embedding these requirements in law, the bill seeks to make support services more responsive and affirming, potentially reducing isolation and improving health outcomes among LGBTQIA+ older adults.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Train Aging Office on Discrimination
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by A7593
- Ordered to third reading cal.1782
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- 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.
Sexual Discrimination Training for Aging
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Harry B. Bronson
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5958
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 16, 2019
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- 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 state office for the aging sexual discrimination training program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 203 of the elder law is amended by adding two new subdivisions 13 and 14 to read as follows:
13. (a) The director shall establish or approve a training program for the purpose of raising awareness, removing barriers and improving services for older adults based on their sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as defined in section two hundred ninety-two of the executive law. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term "training program" shall mean a course of learning or professional development, in person or online, administered or provided by a national, state, or local agency, nonprofit, advocacy group, professional organization, or association. Such training program shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) an overview of the history, unique needs, and concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, gender non-conforming and gender non-binary older adults;
(ii) reasons why lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, gender non-conforming and gender non-binary older adults may choose not to self-identify;
(iii) tools employees can use to incorporate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, gender non-conforming and gender non-binary older adult concerns into direct care and steps employees can take to improve the quality of services and support they provide; and
(iv) a list of resources where employees can learn more.
(b) Such training program shall be completed by employees of the office, employees of area agencies on aging, and providers who contract
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11492-02-9
S. 5958 2
with the office or area agencies on aging who provide direct care to older adults. Employers shall maintain adequate documentation of completion on behalf of required employees, and provide such documentation at the request of the employee or the office. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent employees from completing any other training required nor shall it prevent such approved training from being combined with any other required training.
14. The director, in consultation with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, gender non-conforming and gender non-binary older adult advocates, shall regularly update the intake form used to assess individuals seeking to participate in programs or services offered by the office to reflect current professional standards. This may include, but is not limited to, definitions, categories, or questions relating to sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, preferred pronouns, or family of choice. The office shall continue to prioritize confidentiality and promote self-identification for the purposes of providing appropriate, relevant services to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, gender non-conforming and gender non-binary older adult community.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
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 state office for the aging sexual discrimination training program
Purpose or general idea of bill
To require employees working with older adults to take an LGBT competen- cy training and require SOFA to regularly update their intake form to be LGBT-friendly.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Amends section 203 of the Elder Law by adding two new subdi- visions 13 and 14.
Subdivision 13 requires the director of the State Office for the Aging (SOFA) to establish or approve an LGBT competency training program. Outlines the requirements for an acceptable training program and lists who must complete the training program.
Subdivision 14 requires the director to consult with LGBT advocacy groups to update the intake form Area Agencies on Aging use to reflect current professional standards.
Justification
The LGBT older adult population continues to grow and has a unique set of realities and needs. LGBT older adults are more likely to be single, live alone, and not have children. These factors can contribute to financial insecurity, a reliance on formal caregiving and services, and social isolation, which puts them at greater risk of developing health and mental health issues. A history of victimization and discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity lead many LGBT older adults to hide their identity out of fear of receiving inferior care or being turned away from services. Employees who work with LGBT older adults need specialized training on the unique needs of this population in order to provide the best care. The training this bill requires would raise the professionalism, competence, and compassion of staff who work with the LGBT older adult population.
The intake form currently used by all Area Agencies on Aging is called "COMPASS" (Comprehensive Assessment for Aging Network Community-Based Long Term Care Services). According to SOFA, 7% of service participants did not answer questions related to sexual orientation or gender identi- ty. This bill requires SOFA to work with LGBT advocacy groups to update the language used in questions, definitions, and categories relating to sexual orientation and gender identity to reflect current standards. Updating the form to be more LGBT-friendly will encourage individuals to self-identify which will help the aging network provide relevant, quali- ty services to LGBT older adults.;.;
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
180 days after becoming law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.