S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                   711

                       2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 5, 2011
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. DINOWITZ, GUNTHER, ROSENTHAL, COLTON, BENEDETTO,
  JAFFEE, MILLMAN, GABRYSZAK, GALEF, ZEBROWSKI -- Multi-Sponsored by  --
  M.  of  A. ABBATE, AUBRY, BOYLAND, CROUCH, DESTITO, GIGLIO, GOTTFRIED,
  P. LOPEZ,  MAISEL,  MARKEY,  McENENY,   McKEVITT,   PHEFFER,   REILLY,
  J. RIVERA,  ROBINSON, SWEENEY -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Aging

AN ACT to amend the elder law,  in  relation  to  authorizing  a  pooled
  purchasing program for certain services and commodities

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Subdivision 8 of section 203 of the elder law, as added  by
chapter  48  of the laws of 2007, is amended and a new subdivision 10 is
added to read as follows:
  [8] 9.  The director of the office for the aging is hereby authorized,
to the extent appropriations are available therefor, to establish, oper-
ate and maintain, under the control of the office for the  aging  or  in
conjunction with an association, institution, agency, or other public or
private entity, or community program engaged in the care of animals, one
or  more  senior pet companionship programs. The purpose and intent of a
senior pet companionship program shall be  to  match  seniors  who  have
limited  social  contact  with  pets,  including cats and dogs and other
small animals, to improve the lives of such seniors by  enhancing  their
emotional and mental well-being through such companionship.
  10.  IN  ADDITION  TO  THE  POWERS AND DUTIES CONTAINED IN SECTION TWO
HUNDRED TWO OF THIS TITLE, THE OFFICE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ESTABLISH,
OPERATE, COORDINATE, ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF, AND/OR  MAINTAIN,  OR
TO  CONTRACT  WITH OTHER NOT-FOR-PROFIT OR FOR-PROFIT OR PUBLIC ENTITIES
ON BEHALF OF THOSE ENTITIES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES FOR THE  AGING  OVER
WHICH IT HAS JURISDICTION, OVERSIGHT, OR OTHER CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP,
FOR  THE  OPERATION  OF A POOLED PURCHASING PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN SERVICES

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                           LBD04183-01-1

A. 711                              2

AND COMMODITIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT  LIMITED  TO,  LIABILITY  AND  MOTOR
VEHICLE  INSURANCE, AS SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE OFFICE AFTER CONSULTA-
TION WITH THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE AGING AND  OTHERS.  THE  OFFICE
SHALL  ESTABLISH  RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF SUCH POOLED
PURCHASING PROGRAMS IN WHICH IT IS INVOLVED.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.