BILL NUMBER: S8888
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the elder law, in relation to implementing the family
essential program to create an advocacy, collaborative and an education
infrastructure for essential family caregivers within nursing homes and
other long term care communities
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Act is to create within the Office of the Aging, a
Family Essential Program (FEP) whose function and purpose shall be an
advocacy, collaborative and education infrastructure for essential fami-
ly caregivers in nursing homes and other long term care communities.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends article 2 of the elder law by adding a new title to
be known as the Family Essential Program. Section 230 of the elder law
offers the definition and as well as function of the program.
Section two of the bill sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The essential family visitor and caregiver is a central part of the
continuum of care on the frontline within a nursing home setting. The
Covid-19 humanitarian crisis presented barriers for essential care visi-
tors to effectively serve their vulnerable loved one, while illuminat-
ing' the important role the family serves during the care journey within
a nursing home.
The Family Essential Program, a non-clinical peer to peer model, will be
assistive to serve, help, promote adequate person centered care through
a direct and innovative collaboration with long term care stakeholders,
The FEP will satisfy the Resident Rights mandate to dignity, and assure
New York's most vulnerable population is maintained at their highest
level of functioning while residing in a nursing home.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
$500,000
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become law.