S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  3731

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 28, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. DINOWITZ, GUNTHER, ROSENTHAL, COLTON, BENEDETTO,
  JAFFEE, MILLMAN,  GABRYSZAK,  GALEF,  KOON,  ZEBROWSKI,  ESPAILLAT  --
  Multi-Sponsored  by  --  M.  of A.   ALFANO, AUBRY, BACALLES, BOYLAND,
  CROUCH, DESTITO, EDDINGTON, ERRIGO, GIGLIO,  GOTTFRIED,  HYER-SPENCER,
  P. LOPEZ,   MAISEL,   MARKEY,   McENENY,  McKEVITT,  PHEFFER,  REILLY,
  J. RIVERA, ROBINSON, SWEENEY, WALKER -- read once and referred to  the
  Committee on Aging

AN  ACT  to  amend  the  elder  law, in relation to authorizing a pooled
  purchasing program for certain services and commodities

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1. Subdivision 8 of section 203 of the elder law, as added by
chapter 48 of the laws of 2007, is amended and a new subdivision  10  is
added to read as follows:
  [8] 9.  The director of the office for the aging is hereby authorized,
to the extent appropriations are available therefor, to establish, oper-
ate  and  maintain,  under the control of the office for the aging or in
conjunction with an association, institution, agency, or other public or
private entity, or community program engaged in the care of animals, one
or more senior pet companionship programs. The purpose and intent  of  a
senior  pet  companionship  program  shall  be to match seniors who have
limited social contact with pets, including  cats  and  dogs  and  other
small  animals,  to improve the lives of such seniors by enhancing their
emotional and mental well-being through such companionship.
  10. IN ADDITION TO THE POWERS AND  DUTIES  CONTAINED  IN  SECTION  TWO
HUNDRED TWO OF THIS TITLE, THE OFFICE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ESTABLISH,
OPERATE,  COORDINATE,  ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF, AND/OR MAINTAIN, OR
TO CONTRACT WITH OTHER NOT-FOR-PROFIT OR FOR-PROFIT OR  PUBLIC  ENTITIES
ON  BEHALF  OF THOSE ENTITIES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES FOR THE AGING OVER
WHICH IT HAS JURISDICTION, OVERSIGHT, OR OTHER CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP,
FOR THE OPERATION OF A POOLED PURCHASING PROGRAM  FOR  CERTAIN  SERVICES

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD03226-01-9
              

A. 3731                             2

AND  COMMODITIES,  INCLUDING,  BUT  NOT  LIMITED TO, LIABILITY AND MOTOR
VEHICLE INSURANCE, AS SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE OFFICE AFTER  CONSULTA-
TION  WITH  THE  ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE AGING AND OTHERS. THE OFFICE
SHALL  ESTABLISH  RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF SUCH POOLED
PURCHASING PROGRAMS IN WHICH IT IS INVOLVED.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.