What's happening
This bill requires local aging agencies to report unmet needs for programs and services for seniors to state officials annually.
Why it matters
Enables better allocation of resources. By requiring annual reports of unmet needs, the state can identify which senior programs and services are underfunded or oversubscribed, potentially guiding future funding and policy priorities.
Increases transparency and accountability. Local aging agencies must publicly account for gaps in service, making it harder for persistent issues to go unnoticed and helping advocates and families better understand where support is lacking.
Improves data-driven decision making. Standardized reporting on unmet needs will give state officials clearer data to assess the effectiveness of current programs and adjust strategies to reach more seniors, especially those falling through the cracks.
Highlights systemic issues. By quantifying the number of eligible seniors unable to access services, the legislation may reveal broader problems like staffing shortages, geographic inequities, or barriers to access, prompting broader reforms beyond just increased funding.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Track Unmet Senior Needs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to aging
- Referred to rules
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 Unmet Senior Needs
In Senate Committee · Aging · Sponsor Simcha Eichenstein
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6586
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 17, 2019
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to reporting unmet need for programs and services for the aging
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 a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
2-a. Each area agency on aging as defined by subdivision two of this section shall collect and report to the office the unmet need for each program or service offered. For the purposes of this section, unmet need shall be defined as the number of eligible individuals seeking participation in a program or service and who are not receiving such program or service due to insufficient resources or capacity. The office shall provide a report detailing the unmet need for each program or service to the speaker of the assembly and temporary president of the senate no later than December thirty-first of each year.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11493-02-9
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 report- ing unmet need for programs and services for the aging
Purpose or general idea of bill
To increase transparency by requiring area agencies on aging to collect and report unmet need
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Amends section 203 of the Elder Law by adding a new subdivi- sion 2a which requires all area agencies on aging, including those in New York City, to collect and report to the State Office for the Aging (SOFA) the unmet need for each program or service they offer. Defines unmet need as any eligible individual seeking participation in a program or service that is turned away or placed on a waiting list due to a lack of resources or capacity. Requires SOFA to provide a report detailing the unmet need to the legislature.
Section 2: Sets forth the effective date.
Justification
In New York City and in New York State overall, the older adult popu- lation continues to grow rapidly, putting pressure on the aging network to provide services to all those who are eligible. For example, Brooklyn is home to more older adults than any other county in the state; older adults now make up 14% of the borough's population, up from 12% in 2007. Area agencies on aging do not currently maintain consistent records of eligible older adults seeking services who are placed on waiting lists or are turned away due to the local agency not having enough resources or capacity to serve. With this data, the state can identify what investments need to be made in order to assure our older adult popu- lation receives safe and quality care.
Prior legislative history
New legislation.
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.