BILL NUMBER: S4351A
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the elder law, in relation to publishing a guide to
actions when someone close dies
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to publish a guide that would direct people.
who have lost someone close to useful economic, legal, mental health,
and burial resources.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill would require the State Office for the Aging
(SOFA) to publish a "Guide to Action When Someone Close Dies." The guide
would be posted on the office's website and include information related
to economic security, legal resources, mental health assistance, dispo-
sition of remains, and any other information deemed necessary.
This section would also provide for a special advisory committee to help
publish the guide, composed of representatives from relevant
professions, which would dissolve thirty days after the publication of
the guide.
Section two would establish the effective date.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
The A-print amendments would provide technical and clarifying changes.
Section one of the amended version would clarify that the office for the
aging may provide a paper format of the guide and would outline the
timeline for completing the guide. The amendments would also provide
more detail on the types of mental health assistance that the guide
would include. Additionally, it would have the guide refer to the
department of health's bureau of funeral directing and would require
attorneys on the advisory committee to be specialized in estate plan-
ning.
 
JUSTIFICATION: New York State has enacted legislation that governs
the New York State Office for the Aging, and the Area Agencies on Aging.
The Elder Law aims at protecting and assisting older adults and their
families in managing several challenges. However, it has been shown that
after the death of someone close, red tape adds to the grief (Washington
Post, 2022), calling for the need to have specific tools in place to
support people after the passing of someone close. This bill provides
for the addition of a guide to assist relatives and families practically
after the death of someone close,'which would align with the overall
mission of the Elder Law, while also serving as a tool for grieving
friends and family. Such guide will be drafted by an advisory committee
composed of experts on the subject, allowing it to embody different, yet
complementary, perspectives. By providing accessible, timely, and prac-
tical support to families and relatives during a period of grief and
suffering, the guide represents a useful complement to the New York
State's Elder Law.
A state-supported guide would assist in the management of issues that
follow the passing of someone close, reducing confusion and errors that
may often arise from misinformation and lack of proper guidance. By
promoting clarity and structure during emotional times, as well as envi-
sioning legal and financial guidance, this guide could lead to better
outcomes in terms of among others - efficiency, protection against elder
financial abuse, and streamlining estate administration.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act would take effect immediately.