STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
1702
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 11, 2011
___________
Introduced by M. of A. DINOWITZ, ROBINSON, LUPARDO -- Multi-Sponsored by
-- M. of A. BARRON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to requiring establishment of
model community programs for local agencies, including a model tele-
phone reassurance program and a model visiting program for elders
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The elder law is amended by adding a new section 203-a to
2 read as follows:
3 § 203-a. Model community programs. In order to encourage the develop-
4 ment of activities and programs that promote aging with dignity in
5 communities, the office shall develop model community programs to be
6 distributed upon request to local area agencies on aging and community
7 based organizations. Such model community programs shall include the
8 following:
9 1. A model telephone reassurance program shall be developed to provide
10 for the following:
11 (a) phone calls by the organization maintaining the program to partic-
12 ipating seniors at an agreed upon time each day;
13 (b) a secondary contact, where applicable, to be contacted if the
14 senior does not answer the initial call and before local law enforcement
15 are contacted;
16 (c) coordination with local law enforcement to ensure an appropriate
17 response in the event the senior cannot be contacted;
18 (d) advance consent to access to the home by local law enforcement to
19 determine the status of the senior if contact with the senior could not
20 be made; and
21 (e) increased coordination between the seniors utilizing the program
22 and program operators to reduce incidents resulting in unnecessary law
23 enforcement response.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04508-01-1
A. 1702 2
1 2. A model visiting program shall be developed to provide seniors with
2 a visitor who can offer contact on a regular basis and companionship for
3 seniors who lack a network of family and friends in their communities.
4 The model visiting program shall include:
5 (a) methods to obtain volunteers including by partnering with local
6 educational institutions;
7 (b) systems to screen volunteers to both ensure a good match and
8 protect seniors involved in the program;
9 (c) systems to periodically check on both volunteers and the seniors;
10 and
11 (d) responses to problems that may arise.
12 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
