Senate Bill S2823

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S2823

SPONSOR: SERINO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the elder law, in relation to the duties of the office
for the aging to provide certain information relating to services
through electronic means

 
PURPOSE:

To require the Office for the Aging to provide information related to
aging services and eligibility on a mobile device application and on a
compatible platform on the office's website.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Requires the Office for the Aging to offer information
regarding aging services and eligibility on a mobile device application
and on a compatible platform on the office's website.

Section 2: Establishes the effective date.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In 2017, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) announced the
development of an aging services mobile app that would connect older New
Yorkers, as well as their families and caregivers, with live, local
resources, such as local offices for the aging, senior centers, farmers'
markets, caregiver services, Alzheimer's Association chapters, and more.
The mobile app was made available for iOS and Android devices, however
no corresponding web based platform was developed, and some seniors have
indicated that they have difficulty navigating the office's website to
find everything they are looking for.  While the mobile app is certainly
a positive step forward for connecting our increasingly tech-savvy
seniors with these critical resources, some have bemoaned the lack of
availability for those without a smartphone.

According to the Pew Research Center, a study found a little more than
40% of seniors own smartphones, which means more than half of the senior
population is excluded from any resource offered solely on a mobile app.
Of particular concern is the income disparity among seniors with regards
to the possession of smartphones. The study found that while over 81% of
seniors with a household income greater than $75,000 owned a smartphone,
fewer than 30% of seniors with a household income below $50,000 owned
one. This is especially problematic given that it is low-income seniors
who are often in most need of these services.

By requiring NYSOFA to develop a compatible and comprehensive platform
on the office's website to complement the information currently avail-
able on the aging services mobile app, more seniors will have access to
easy to find information and resources that will help them remain in
their communities.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: S.1301 Referred to Aging

2018: S.7744 Advanced to Third Reading
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.