S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
7706
I N S E N A T E
May 4, 2010
___________
Introduced by Sens. DIAZ, FOLEY -- 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 creating a shared housing
program for senior citizens
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The elder law is amended by adding a new section 224 to
read as follows:
S 224. SHARED HOUSING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. 1. THE OFFICE SHALL ESTAB-
LISH A PROGRAM, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMU-
NITY RENEWAL, THROUGH WHICH, PERSONS WHO ARE SIXTY YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER
MAY REGISTER WITH THE OFFICE OR DESIGNATED AGENCIES ON AGING INDICATING
THEIR DESIRE TO SHARE THEIR LIVING SPACE OR ARE SEEKING LIVING QUARTERS
WITH ANOTHER ELIGIBLE PERSON.
2. THE OFFICE OR DESIGNATED AGENCIES ON AGING SHALL MAINTAIN A REGIS-
TRY OF SENIOR CITIZENS SEEKING TO SHARE THEIR LIVING QUARTERS WITH
ANOTHER SENIOR CITIZEN.
(A) INFORMATION SHALL BE COLLECTED ON A FORM DESIGNED BY THE OFFICE,
WHICH SHALL INCLUDE THE NAME, ADDRESS, UP TO THREE PERSONAL REFERENCES
AND A STATEMENT INDICATING WHETHER THE INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN CONVICTED IN
THE PAST FIVE YEARS OF A CRIME INVOLVING THEFT, ASSAULT, THE THREAT OR
USE OF FORCE, POSSESSION OR SALE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, OR
POSSESSION OF A WEAPON OR FIREARM. THE INDIVIDUAL SHALL SPECIFY ON THE
STATEMENT THE CRIME OR CRIMES, IF ANY, FOR WHICH THERE HAVE BEEN
CONVICTIONS. THE STATEMENT SHALL INCLUDE AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THE
INFORMATION IS TRUE TO THE BEST KNOWLEDGE OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN AND THAT
PROVIDING INFORMATION KNOWN TO BE FALSE IS CAUSE FOR IMMEDIATE REMOVAL
FROM THE REGISTRY.
(B) INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE SHARED HOUSING REGISTRY SHALL BE
CONFIDENTIAL AND USED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARRYING OUT THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
3. THE OFFICE SHALL DEVELOP AND PROMULGATE REGULATIONS, IN CONSULTA-
TION WITH THE DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL, NECESSARY FOR
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SECTION.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04204-01-9
S. 7706 2
4. THE OFFICE MAY IMPOSE A FEE THAT SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE DOLLAR FOR
ENTRY OF A SENIOR CITIZEN'S NAME ONTO THE REGISTRY AND SUCH FEE SHALL BE
COLLECTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPLEMENTING AND MAINTAINING THE SHARED
HOUSING REGISTRY.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.