NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9815A
SPONSOR: Stirpe TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the elder law, in relation to creating the office of
older adult workforce development within the office for the aging
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill establishes an Office of Older Adult Workforce Development
within the State Office for the Aging.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill adds new section 225 to the Elder Law, to estab-
lish an office of older adult workforce development, headed by a coordi-
nator. It establishes the duties of the coordinator, which include help-
ing to plan and implement efforts to address the needs of older adults
in the workplace; creating a centralized website with resources for
older adults; providing information about reporting age discrimination
and potential state remedies; reviews information and provides recommen-
dations upon the request of state agencies regarding complaints about
age discrimination; and provides outreach and education on the services
provided by the office.
Section two of the bill provides that this act shall take effect imme-
diately.
** The amendment to the bill provides that the coordinator will consult
with the department of labor in the course of their duties.
JUSTIFICATION:
According to Senior Service America, by 2024, older workers will compro-
mise 25% of the labor force. As New York's population ages, it is imper-
ative that we make every effort possible to keep older citizens healthy,
active, and connected to their communities. Many older New Yorkers would
like to continue working or embark on a second career later in life. A
significant number do not have much of a choice. Due to financial
constraints and other circumstances, it may be necessary for some New
Yorkers to work well beyond the anticipated retirement age. The depth of
experience older workers bring with them makes them an excellent
resource for any employer, but they can face significant barriers to
entering or re-entering the work force.
New York as taking the lead in the United States by becoming the first
truly age-friendly state. We can take another step in this direction by
adding older adult workforce development to the planning and implementa-
tion of policies across the state. This legislation furthers this goal
by creating an office for older adult workforce development within the
State Office for the Aging, a recognition that recognizing both the
significant contributions and particular needs of older workers are
critical to the long-term vitality of our state's aging population.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9815--A
IN ASSEMBLY
February 13, 2020
___________
Introduced by M. of A. STIRPE -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Aging -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as
amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to creating the office of
older adult workforce development within the office for the aging
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The elder law is amended by adding a new section 225 to
2 read as follows:
3 § 225. Office of older adult workforce development. 1. The office
4 shall establish an office of older adult workforce development. Such
5 office of older adult workforce development shall be headed by a coordi-
6 nator who shall be appointed by the director. The coordinator shall
7 work in consultation with the department of labor in the course of their
8 duties.
9 2. The coordinator of the office of older adult workforce development
10 shall have the following duties:
11 (a) advise and assist the state in planning and implementing for coor-
12 dination and cooperation among agencies involved in workforce develop-
13 ment to address the needs of older adults regarding the workplace;
14 (b) create a centralized website with resources for job placement,
15 career building and development, and job support for older adults;
16 (c) provide information on how to report age discrimination in the
17 workplace, including potential state remedies for such discrimination;
18 (d) review information upon request of state agencies regarding
19 complaints concerning age discrimination in the workplace and develop
20 recommendations, guidelines, and protocols to address recurring problems
21 or trends, in consultation with industry representatives, advocates, and
22 state agencies;
23 (e) provide outreach and education on the services provided by the
24 office of older adult workforce development; and
25 (f) perform other duties as the director may assign to the coordina-
26 tor.
27 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15231-03-0
