Senator David Carlucci Supports New York's Seniors

(Albany, NY) -- Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) supported legislation to protect the rights of seniors and improve their quality of life in New York State. The bills passed by the Senate Majority will help seniors stay in their homes, protect them against fraud, and expand discounted prescription drug costs.

“Many seniors live on a fixed income, relying solely on a social security check,” said Senator David Carlucci. In New York, we need to look for ways to make housing and prescription drug costs more affordable. We need to target scammers who go out of their way to prey on vulnerable seniors. These bills reflect my commitment to protecting our seniors and addressing these problems.”

The legislation passed by the Senate Majority and Carlucci includes:

Senior Property Tax Relief (S.5557) – raises the maximum income eligibility requirement forNew Yorkers 65 and older to $50,000 so more seniors and those with disabilities can qualify for a property tax break.

Money Transmitter Warning (S.297) - requires financial institutions to provide a consumer fraud warning when someone is wiring or transferring money electronically.  

Small Business and Entrepreneur Education (S.4575) - requires the development of programs and services across the state to help support aspiring senior entrepreneurs.

Reverse Mortgage Protections (S.4407) - places new regulations on reverse mortgage products so that unscrupulous lenders do not take advantage of seniors.

Continuing EPIC Coverage (S.2187A) - allows seniors who previously qualified for the EPIC Program to retain their eligibility even if their income increased due to a public or private pension or social security benefit.

Default and Foreclosure on Reverse Mortgages (S.4408) - enacts significant regulations on lenders who attempt to foreclose on a reverse mortgage loan.

Informed Adult Care Medical Decisions (S.874) - requires residents of adult care facilities to be fully informed of their health care services and their right to make their own decisions regarding care.

Older Adult Substance Abuse, Chemical Dependence and Compulsive Gambling (S.4925A) - expands the scope of the interagency geriatric mental health planning council to include issues of substance abuse and compulsive gambling.

Increasing No-Charge Withdrawal Transactions (S.2245) - increases the amount of no-charge withdrawal transactions for basic banking account holders aged sixty-five and older from eight to twelve.