S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   1730
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 13, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging
 
 AN ACT to amend the elder law, in  relation  to  providing  elder  abuse
   prevention training
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. The elder law is amended by adding a new section  219-a  to
 read as follows:
   219-A.  ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION TRAINING. 1. THE DIRECTOR
 SHALL,  IN  COOPERATION  WITH THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
 AND THE DIVISION OF STATE POLICE:
   (A) DEVELOP, MAINTAIN AND DISSEMINATE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL RELATING TO
 ABUSE OF ADULTS,  INCLUDING  PHYSICAL  ABUSE,  SEXUAL  ABUSE,  EMOTIONAL
 ABUSE,  ACTIVE  NEGLECT,  PASSIVE  NEGLECT,  SELF NEGLECT, AND FINANCIAL
 EXPLOITATION, AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN SECTION FOUR  HUNDRED  SEVEN-
 TY-THREE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW,
   (B) ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT WRITTEN PROCEDURES AND POLICIES FOR SENIOR
 CENTERS  AND  CONTRACTORS  IN  THE EVENT EMPLOYEES OF SENIOR CENTERS AND
 EMPLOYEES OF ENTITIES THAT CONTRACT WITH THE OFFICE AND  THE  OFFICE  OF
 CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY  SERVICES  ENCOUNTERS  SUCH  ABUSE,  INCLUDING THE
 PROVISION OF INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, AND
   (C) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PREVENT THE  OFFICE  FROM  UTILIZING
 MATERIALS IN SECTION TWO HUNDRED NINETEEN OF THIS TITLE.
   2.  (A)  THE  DIRECTOR SHALL DEVELOP A PROGRAM TO TRAIN SENIOR SERVICE
 PROVIDERS IN THE DETECTION AND REPORTING OF ELDER  ABUSE.  SUCH  PROGRAM
 SHALL ALSO INCLUDE TRAINING ON THE COUNSELING OF ELDER ABUSE VICTIMS.
   (B)  THE  DIRECTOR  SHALL REQUIRE THAT EMPLOYEES OF SENIOR CENTERS AND
 EMPLOYEES OF ENTITIES THAT CONTRACT WITH THE OFFICE AND  THE  OFFICE  OF
 CHILDREN  AND FAMILY SERVICES TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO SENIOR CITIZENS, BE
 TRAINED IN ELDER ABUSE DETECTION, REPORTING AND COUNSELING, AND  RECEIVE
 SUPPLEMENTAL  REFRESHER  TRAINING REGARDING THE SAME AT LEAST ONCE EVERY
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD05957-01-3
              

 S. 1730                             2
 
 THREE YEARS, IF SUCH EMPLOYEE HAS OR IS EXPECTED TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT AND
 DIRECT PERSON TO PERSON CONTACT WITH SENIOR CITIZENS.
   (C)  THE  DIRECTOR  SHALL  REQUIRE SENIOR CENTERS TO HOLD AT LEAST TWO
 EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS PER YEAR DURING WHICH GUESTS  AND  MEMBERS  OF  THE
 SENIOR  CENTER  WILL RECEIVE COUNSELING REGARDING ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION
 AND AWARENESS AND BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO DETECT AND REPORT INSTANCES OF
 ELDER ABUSE.
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
 it shall have become a law.