Establishes the caregiver coordinating commission to coordinate statewide planning, development, and implementation of caregiver support services, including respite care, for informal family caregivers caring for those across the lifespan.
STATE OF NEW YORK
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9239
IN SENATE
February 18, 2026
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Introduced by Sen. CLEARE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to establish the caregiver coordinating commission
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Caregiver coordinating commission. 1. There is hereby
2 established a caregiver coordinating commission to coordinate statewide
3 planning, development, and implementation of caregiver support services,
4 including respite care, for informal family caregivers caring for those
5 across the lifespan. The commission shall consist of members appointed
6 by the governor and be led by the office for the aging. All appointments
7 shall be made within thirty days of the effective date of this act.
8 2. The commission shall, within twenty days following the appointment
9 of all its members, elect a chair from among such members.
10 3. The commission shall study, examine and review the issues related
11 to caregiving, including, but not limited to:
12 (a) Gathering caregiver feedback and concerns using various approaches
13 and disseminating relevant information about available services, includ-
14 ing respite care;
15 (b) Exploring and analyzing effective respite care programs in other
16 states;
17 (c) Creating a caregiver support model consisting of best practices in
18 New York and other states;
19 (d) Providing an ongoing analysis of best practices, including
20 informal caregiver support programs in New York and other states and
21 programs that support caregivers in the workplace;
22 (e) Coordinating activities of existing and proposed informal caregiv-
23 er support services among state and local municipalities;
24 (f) Continually researching funding opportunities;
25 (g) Determining unmet needs and funding priorities;
26 (h) Monitoring and implementing the commission's recommendations;
27 (i) Providing an annual policy review; and
28 (j) Annual strategic planning.
29 4. For the purposes of this act, "caregiver" means a person who:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14528-01-6
S. 9239 2
1 (a) assumes responsibility for the care of a vulnerable elderly
2 person, or an incompetent or physically disabled person pursuant to a
3 court order; or
4 (b) receives monetary or other valuable consideration for providing
5 care for a vulnerable elderly person, or an incompetent or physically
6 disabled person.
7 5. The commission shall report its findings, conclusions and recommen-
8 dations to the governor no later than one hundred eighty days after the
9 effective date of this act.
10 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
