Senator Díaz Announces Better Access Better Care Legislative Package

June 16, 2010

For Immediate Release

Senator Díaz Announces Unanimous Passage of  Legislative Package

Albany, NY   State Senator Rubén Díaz, Sr., Chairman of the New York State Senate Committee on Aging announced today that the New York State Senate unanimously passed five bills that he sponsors.

Senator Díaz stated: “As Chairman of the New York State Senate Committee on Aging and the Senate sponsor of these bills, I am pleased to have played a part in providing the necessary safeguards and improvements to many programs in which older New Yorkers rely. I want to thank my Senate colleagues for their unanimous support in passing these bills.  I am also very grateful to my Aging Advisory Council for their hard work on behalf of older New Yorkers and many who submitted memos in support of my bills.”

Senator Díaz’s bills that passed the Senate are:
S6853 Simplifies the renewal process for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption Program by instituting a reminder mechanism and requires the appropriate agency to send a notice of required renewal 90 days prior to the application renewal date.

S7512-A Allows naturally occurring retirement communities to count in-kind contributions toward their required match of state funds.

S7513  Allows NORCs to diversify their revenue sources by raising money outside of the NORC geographical boundary and to raise matching funds from non-state sources and sources outside of the NORC supportive Services Boundary.

S7567  Includes assisted living residences within the definition of long term care facilities by requiring these facilities to permit access to the long term care ombudsman.

S7647  Eliminates the requirement that an individual be over the age of 60 to qualify as a head of household for NORC supportive services.

“Today was an important day for senior citizens in the State Senate and I believe these bills will go a long way to improve, protect and enhance the lives of the more than three million older residents who call New York State home,” commented Senator Díaz.

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