S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4774
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 8, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. STERN -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the judiciary law, in relation to guardianship programs
in the counties of Nassau and Suffolk
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The judiciary law is amended by adding a new section 216-a
to read as follows:
§ 216-A. GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAMS; NASSAU; SUFFOLK. 1. THE CHIEF ADMIN-
ISTRATOR OF THE COURTS SHALL ESTABLISH, IN THE COUNTIES OF NASSAU AND
SUFFOLK, COURT ORDERED GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAMS TO BE LOCATED IN EACH SUCH
COUNTY, WHICH SHALL FACILITATE THE USE OF GERIATRIC SOCIAL WORKERS,
RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEERS AND/OR OTHER NON-ATTORNEYS, TO SERVE AS GUARD-
IANS APPOINTED BY A COURT UNDER ARTICLE EIGHTY-ONE OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE
LAW, FOR INCAPACITATED ADULTS WHO LACK FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND APPROPRI-
ATE FAMILY SUPPORTS. THE PROGRAMS SHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE LOCAL
COURTS WITHIN EACH RESPECTIVE COUNTY. THE PROGRAMS WILL PROVIDE GUARDI-
ANSHIP SERVICES INCLUDING VISITING INDIVIDUALS ON A REGULAR BASIS, OVER-
SEEING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SERVICE PLAN AND REPORTING TO THE COURTS.
2. THE PROGRAMS SHALL ANNUALLY REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON THE NUMBER
OF GUARDIANS APPOINTED; COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM; AND OUTCOMES,
INCLUDING WHETHER THE PERSON WAS ABLE TO REMAIN IN OR RETURN TO THE
COMMUNITY AND WHETHER THEY WERE OR BECAME ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02787-01-1