Establishes the senior center council for the purposes of providing a forum for discussion of challenges facing senior centers across the state and developing solutions; supports sharing of information regarding efficient and effective operation of senior centers in different areas around the state; encourages the spread of methods and programs with proven effectiveness; creates an environment for peer-to-peer support for senior centers across the state; offers recommendations for how the state can support senior centers and lower barriers to effective service delivery; offers recommendations on existing services and cost effective measures to ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of senior centers in all areas of the state; repeals certain provisions of law relating thereto.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8216A
SPONSOR: Wright TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the elder law, in relation to establishing the senior
center council; and to repeal certain provisions of such law, relating
thereto
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would establish a ten member Senior Center Council within the
New York State Office for the Aging to discuss challenges facing seniors
and ensure the long-term sustainability of senior centers across the
state.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 would establish the Senior Center Council within the New York
State Office for the Aging. The section would further provide for the
council's membership and compensation, when the council should convene,
and the council's purpose, including providing support and mitigating
challenges senior centers face in the state.
Section 2 would establish the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
The A-print would re-establish the Senior Center Council, ensuring the
council shall convene within 180 days of the act's effective date and
annually thereafter. The A-print would provide clarifying changes to the
additional responsibility for the council as provided in the original
bill.
JUSTIFICATION:
Older New Yorkers are the fastest growing population demographic in our
State. In the next four years, our Older New York Population will grow
by up to 25%; and that same statistic is true right through the year
2040. Our network of Senior Centers must be prepared for this next
generation of Older New Yorkers, in terms of programs, funding, infras-
tructure, resources, et cetera.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act would take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8216--A
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 5, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. WRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Aging -- recommitted to the Committee on Aging in accordance with
Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to establishing the senior
center council; and to repeal certain provisions of such law, relating
thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 216 of the elder law is REPEALED and a new section
2 216 is added to read as follows:
3 § 216. Senior center council. 1. Definition. For the purposes of this
4 section, the term "council" shall mean the senior center council
5 convened by the director pursuant to this section.
6 2. Membership. The senior center council is hereby established. The
7 senior center council shall consist of ten members appointed by the
8 director, who shall serve as the chair. These members shall have experi-
9 ence with the operation of senior centers and the provision of services
10 therein. Members shall also be broadly representative of older adult
11 groups and all geographic areas of the state. At least two of these
12 members shall be over the age of sixty-two. The council shall convene
13 within one hundred eighty days after the effective date of this section
14 and annually thereafter.
15 3. Compensation. Members of the council, other than the director,
16 shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed
17 their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their
18 duties pursuant to this section.
19 4. Purpose. The purpose of the council shall be to (a) provide a forum
20 for discussion of challenges facing senior centers across the state and
21 developing solutions;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11506-02-6
A. 8216--A 2
1 (b) support sharing of information regarding efficient and effective
2 operation of senior centers in different areas around the state;
3 (c) encourage the spread of methods and programs with proven effec-
4 tiveness;
5 (d) create an environment for peer-to-peer support for senior centers
6 across the state;
7 (e) offer recommendations for how the state can support senior centers
8 and lower barriers to effective service delivery; and
9 (f) offer recommendations on existing services and cost effective
10 measures to ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of senior
11 centers in all areas of the state.
12 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
