Senator Bonacic Supports Legislative Package to Protect the Health, Welfare, and Finances of New York Seniors

(Albany, NY)-State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) announced that he has supported a legislative package that passed the Senate this week which will hopefully improve the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of senior citizens across the state. The measures would help prevent elder abuse and promote prosperity for seniors in New York, and build upon significant victories the Senate secured in the 2017-18 budget for individuals over 65 and their families.

“My colleagues and I in the Republican Majority are committed to improving the lives of New York’s seniors, while also keeping them safe from those who would choose to take advantage of them,” said Senator Bonacic. “The bills we passed this week build on the significant investments made in the 2017-2018 State Budget, and my colleagues will continue to advocate on behalf of this state’s senior population.”

The bills passed by the Senate include:

• S6022 would clarify and establish universal rules related to acts of larceny committed against a mentally disabled person;
• S2154A would require the Office of Children and Family Services to establish a statewide hotline for reporting cases involving various forms of abuse;
• S6650 would help curb elder abuse by creating a public awareness campaign to educate vulnerable New Yorkers, including senior citizens, individuals with cognitive disabilities, or others with issues that impair their financial independence on the financial risks associated with joint banking accounts;
• S6431A would prohibit schemes and devices regularly used by companies, including deposits in joint accounts or authorizations through a power of attorney, to avoid assignment provisions of public pension benefits;
• S5141would establish the Affordable Senior Housing and Services Program to be administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation. This new program was created in the 2017-18 budget after the Senate successfully secured $125 million for the development or rehabilitation of affordable housing targeted to low-income New Yorkers aged 60 and above;
•  S6081 would extend the expiration date of the Foster Family Care Demonstration Program for an additional four years;
• S2137A would increase the Social Security Income rate adult care facilities receive in order to ensure that these services continue to be available to low-income SSI recipients.
• S2155Awould establish an economically sustainable transportation pilot program to help seniors get to medical appointments, go grocery shopping, or run other errands. Through a combination of paid and volunteer drivers, the 5-county pilot could help revitalize senior community engagement and grow to become self-sustaining through consumer fares as well as voluntary community support;
•  S5415Awould create an interagency coordinating committee for streamlined services for the aging. The measure is aimed at improving the historically low enrollment of seniors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan (SNAP);
• S1110 would permit persons 65 and older to take State University of New York (SUNY) courses for credit without charge, on a space-available basis;
• S3709 would establish a Veterans’ Gerontological Advisory Committee;
• S1612 would reaffirm the Legislature’s intent to hold State retirees harmless for any premium or other charges paid due to enrollment in Medicare; and
• S3543A, would authorize the New York City water board to grant a 10-percent discount on city water bills to senior citizens and veterans.

The bills have been sent to the Assembly.